After two wild, wonderful, and occasionally sweaty weeks, zipping around India from the beaches of Goa to the chaos of Jaipur and the calm of Amritsar and New Delhi was my final stop before jetting back to the UK. I’d been busy poking around lounges in Mumbai and sipping cocktails at the W Goa, but this last leg had a new luxury first: my debut stay at a Shangri-La. And honestly? I’m kicking myself for not staying with them sooner.
In This Post
First Impressions: Five-Star Oasis in the Madness of Delhi
Let’s set the scene: 320 rooms, three restaurants, two bars, a spa, a salon, and enough air conditioning to make you forget you’re in the middle of the capital’s honking heart. This is the spot if you’re after a plush pad with a central postcode and zero chaos.
How I Booked (and Why You Should Too)
Booked through an agent like the bougie adult I am. Why? Because it came with the holy trinity of hotel perks:
- A cheeky upgrade
- $50 hotel credit (which mysteriously vanished at the bar, don’t ask)
- A welcome gift that didn’t scream “tourist tat.”
Best of all, early check-in and late check-out were included, which is crucial when your flight gets canned, and you end up at reception at 2 am looking like a lost hen on Oxford Street.
The Room: Deluxe King Dreams
Despite arriving at a time generally reserved for kebab runs and bad decisions, check-in was breezy. Our Deluxe King overlooked the twinkling lights of Delhi’s skyline, not that I got to admire it for long. I had a 3 am road trip to Agra for a sunrise peek at the Taj Mahal. Yes, really. I was running on zero sleep, zero food, and sheer audacity.
But here’s where Shangri-La flexed. At 2 am, the night manager clocked our zombie-like state, disappeared for five minutes, and returned with complimentary coffee and breakfast sandwiches. No fuss, no charges, just pure, unprompted hospitality. Legends only.
The Bathroom: All the Marble, Baby
Floor-to-ceiling marble that screamed “I’m expensive!” in the best way. If you’re a sucker for shiny surfaces and designer soap, you’ll feel right at home. I contemplated moving in permanently.
Final Thoughts: Central, Swish, and Surprisingly Thoughtful
If you’re planning a jaunt through India and want to end on a high (or just sleep off Delhi traffic in peace), this place delivers the goods. It’s central without the chaos, luxurious without the snobbery, and honestly, that 2 am breakfast alone won me over.
Would I return to the Shangri-la? In a heartbeat, and next time, I’m staying longer than one nap and a sandwich.
