ITC Maurya

One of Delhi’s most famous hotels, popular with visiting heads of state, including Bill Clinton who loves its famous Bukhara restaurant so much that he has a ‘Clinton plate’ named in his honour, the ITC Maurya has a great buzz and a great deal of character, more than you would expect in a large (440-room) 1970s-built hotel. Bukhara, serving northwest frontier tandoori food, best tucked into with the hands and an apron round your neck is not just the finest hotel in Delhi but great fun, and there are three other excellent ones, including Dum Pukht and the charmingly decorated West View. The magnificent lobby is based on Mauryan Dynasty’s domed Chaitya Hall and the dome is covered in Krishen Khanna’s fine mural, the Procession of Life. There’s also a delightful, superbly run spa and rooftop pool.