In India we first visited Aman New Delhi, then Oberoi Amarvilas, and then Aman-i-Khas. After that we went to the Maldives (which I’ll cover in the next installment), and on our return we had to spend one night in Delhi before continuing to Amanbagh, given that it was a four hour drive and we only arrived in the evening.
For that night we stayed at the Oberoi Gurgaon, which is in New Delhi only 15 minutes from the airport. The friend I was traveling with is a travel agent, and in the interest of full disclosure the stay was comped. That being said, that’s because he’s a travel agent and he/his agency work with a lot of Oberoi properties, and not because I was going to review the place, and I don’t even think they knew I’m a blogger. That being said, rates at this hotel usually run around $300USD per night.
Anyway, we arrived early in the evening and the entrance has to be one of the most impressive anywhere, with torches in the center of the driveway (the views are much better during the day on the drive up, as shown in the pictures at the end of the report).
Entrance
Hotel exterior
This hotel was brand new at the time, and it shows. The decor is super-modern and chic.
Lobby
Within minutes we were checked in and escorted to our rooms, which were on the third floor.
Hallway
I was assigned room 3128, a deluxe room.
Room
The room featured a king size bed, flat screen TV, and sitting area. It almost felt like a junior suite, despite being their entry level room.
Bed
Bed
Living room
On the table was a welcome amenity consisting of some fruit and chocolate.
Welcome amenity
The bathroom featured double sinks, a soaking tub, and separate shower with excellent water temperature and pressure.
Bathroom
Shower
Toilet
There was also a fairly large closet for bags.
Closet
Within minutes of checking in the butler came by to introduce himself and offer a cold towel and refreshing drink. He asked if I needed assistance with unpacking or with anything else, which I declined.
Butler
It’s kind of sad that our stay here was just a quick overnight, as it was a spectacular hotel. I spent most of the time sleeping, though in the morning we had breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant, which is easily one of the top 10 hotel buffets I’ve ever seen. While it wasn’t quite as large as some of the mega-buffets I’ve seen, the quality was top notch.
Restaurant
The buffet was extensive, though they also had a menu off of which you could order hot dishes.
Buffet
Buffet
Buffet
Hands down the highlight of the breakfast had to be the freshly baked croissants. As soon as they came out of the oven the chef came by each table to offer croissants, and they were amazing.
Fresh croissants
Menu
Banana pancakes
After breakfast we had the opportunity to see the hotel in daylight, and it was even more beautiful during the day than at night.
Walking to the lobby
As you can see in the picture below, to the left is the lobby building with restaurants, which overlooks a pool/pond. On top of the greenery on the far end of the picture is the hotel’s driveway, so the views are amazing driving in.
Public areas
Public areas
And while I didn’t have a chance to use it I did manage to check out the gym, which had top of the line equipment.
Gym
Gym
Every single employee I interacted with at this hotel was extremely friendly and polished, though I found that to be the case at every Aman and Oberoi I stayed at in India.
Hey lucky,
I was wondering if this stay was part of a trip report because I would love to read it.
Cheers
Ha ha ha, Darius (1m miles) is the butler
@ X -- Given that I've used the term "hot nuts" more than 600 times, I'd say that's entirely possible. ;)
Point taken, thanks.
Awesome review, India wasn't on my destination list but it is now!
Is it possible that you've said "that being said" over 5000 times on this blog, as this google search suggests? http://bit.ly/QlVa9e
Mix it up buddy. "That said." "Having said that." "That considered." "Considering that." "That aside." "Even though."
Love your work, keep it up. Sorry I had to reach my breaking point on this one.
The Oberoi in Delhi proper is genuinely lovely, but this is stunning. Too bad about its location, unless you are doing business in Gurgaon.
@ Vivek D -- We actually had two rooms. Not sure why they gave us that, but they did.
@MT there is an area in New Delhi called Guragaon
Two guys sharing a kind size bed? hmmm LOL. Jk
WOW, absolutely gorgeous!!
I stayed at the Courtyard in Gurgaon on business, and the hotel was fantastic (with a similar great breakfast buffet). I will say that some of those exterior pictures make me realize how the Oberoi gets away with charging twice as much...amazing public area photos!
This hotel is in Gurgaon, Haryana and not in New Delhi, Delhi. Haryana and Delhi are two different states.