Maidens Hotel New Delhi

This was our third stay at the Maidens this year, and each time it has been amazing: we still think it is the best hotel we ever stayed at in our 40+ years of global travel, with thousands of hotel nights in 50-odd countries. We actually decided to stop over in Delhi on our way to Australia specifically to stay at the Maidens for some days, just to have the experience once again: it's that kind of really unique and special place! Right in the middle of bustling Delhi, there's this oasis of calm, with quiet gardens and mature trees, where peacocks and squirrels roam, and traffic noise is far away. The hotel was built as a luxury hotel in 1903, and been in use as such ever since. And today, 120 years later, it still magically exudes the atmosphere of that historic past. We just love coming back each time, that feeling of "coming home" we experience here and nowhere else: because the place still largely looks like it did in 1903 (the photos prove it), but it's otherwise an amazingly modern five-star hotel. And with an incredible team managing it: and that makes this place so special, and adds so much to the experience, beyond the historic element. We had another great reception when we arrived this time, with Prachi, the Hotel Manager, personally taking care of us and ensuring our stay was yet again amazing. We got our favourite room, and enjoyed every minute of our time there. The restaurant has this great variety of delicious dishes on the menu (Western, Asian, Indian), and thanks to the two chefs and their team, we loved having dinner there each night, as always. Overall and in every respect, this remains our favourite hotel in the world. It's just beautiful, and in a way you won't find anywhere else. Stay here if you can: it's a unique experience.

from the manager to the doorman, from the chef to the waiter, from the waiter to the doorman, all the staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. The hotel is exceptional. Excellent breakfast, with Indian delicacies and the possibility of ordering Western items in the kitchen. I recommend the Dosa Masala for coffee. Beautiful gardens, beautiful pool. A lot of peace. An oasis in the middle of vibrant Delhi.Perfect decor. And the must; receive every morning the newspaper of the day we chose. TV with many channels... what more to ask for?

Nothing. Everything was perfect. Nothing. Everything was perfect. Nothing. Everything was perfect.

This is the hotel with the best organized team I have seen my entire life. From doorman to the hotel manager, level of enthusiasm is outstanding. Everyone was so supportive and helpful that It felt like we were at some non-existing planet. Whichever inquiry we had, whichever question, there was all available assistance immediately offered. Even, there are surely more luxurious hotels available, my opinion is that if you haven't stayed at this hotel while visiting Delhi, you will not be able to experience true Indian hospitality. Manager is amazing guy, who think inside and outside of the box, able to find a solution even for the most complicated matter. His team, always smiling and assisting receptionists, cook and waiters, pool guy, room service, cleaning, porter at the door and security at the main entrance, all amazingly enthusiastic and friendly. Overall, there are not enough words to describe a true feeling and experience without being guest at hotel Maidens. Colonial hotel at its best and very affordable. Price-quality ratio for the stay and service in Maidens is top of the World. Swimming pool just another perfect spot for chilling before Delhi trail (or after one) where you can recharge your batteries in the amazing environment with singing birds, peacocks and charming little squirrels.

There was no single think we didn't like. There is one thing that hotel management cannot prevent, but they worn you about. It is the situation where, if you have a breakfast in the garden, you have to take care about flying "food thieves" as Mynah birds, pigeons or some of the Crows may just jump onto your plate and disappear quickly with your ham or sausage. Though, it is very lively area, plenty of birds (even peacocks) , squirrels inhabiting their beautiful gardens and lawns so occasional loss of breakfast will fall into another level of its charm. (I was lucky that at only at the end of my breakfast, crow flew low and nicked just my potato, after I have eaten all the best stuff)

Lovely hotel with real character. We had the nicer rooms which were massive and lovely. Huge sitting room separate to the bedroom. Staff could not be more helpful. Delicious food as well. The Daal Makhani was the dish of our holiday. Close to old Delhi. Lovely pool.

The more formal Curzon restaurant was sometimes a little empty to get a good atmosphere, but the food was lovely. The restaurant for breakfast is a buffet restaurant in the evening, but you can still order a la carte and was much more lively. You can eat outside on the patio which is lovely, with peacocks and squirrels running around. It is not well lit at night, which is a shame.

a beautiful old style hotel not far from Old Delhi centre. our room on the first floor was spacious and comfortable i also enjoyed swimming in the outdoor pool. The staff were gracious and helpful and made our stay a special one At breakfast time Suman introduced us to different kinds of Indian breakfast and made some good suggestions what we should eat. I especially liked looking at all the old photos from beginning of the 20th century which adorned the walls. There were also some old engravings from the 19th century. We also had a great meal in restaurant. The note is very close to Civil Lines Metro stop so we used that a few times

Nothing

The building has a lot of history being opened in 1903. This has been balanced internally to accompany modern essentials such as air conditioning. It is a beautiful site with a lovely garden area and heated outdoor swimming pool. The staff were very accommodating and couldn’t do enough to make our stay perfect. In the garden restaurant we were looked after incredibly well by Davesh, who went above and beyond to allow us to try as many different authentic Indian dishes. He even provided us a list to try on our onward travels. The food was reasonably priced, delicious and of a high standard across the restaurants. It is a very secure hotel with lots of security ensuring you feel safe during your stay. Prachi, the General Manager was fantastic and truly ensured our stay was perfect.

Nothing.

Our arrival was welcoming and efficient. We had concerns about our initial room allocation which was swiftly rectified by the manager. We recommended requesting upper level floors. Staff were attentive and courteous. The heated pool was a benefit at this time of year. The pool area is pleasant with comfortable loungers, complimentary newspapers and magazines and a well equipped changing room. The gardens attract green parrots and the pool is a peaceful area. The breakfast room is small but adequate with some outside seating. The breakfast buffet and options were delicious and the chef was attentive. The outdoor seating area lacked ambience during the morning and for outdoor evening dining. Other hotels at this price point have lit burners and fire pits which were more welcoming. The bar is very small which is less attractive when there are noisy groups dominating the area and there are few other seating options other than the main lobby. The toilets have bidet facilities; the shower had good pressure and hot water. The pillows were sumptuous.

An initial concern with a ground floor room.

The hotel had a lovely old world feel to it with plenty of room. The breakfast and dinner area was very pleasant and quiet facing the garden. It is in a convenient location for those that want to be a bit more independent and use the metro to get around. Staff were very professional and helpful.

The bar was too cold. The bar and the Indian restaurant were too sterile and needed a bit of warmth added to the rooms to make them more comfortable. Some of the carpet/ decorations are looking tired.

The service at Maidens was incredible - responsive without being overly attentive. Before arriving, the team was very responsive over email about arranging a late-night airport pick-up, which went smoothly. We stayed for two nights, and throughout our entire stay, the service from the house-keeping staff (Aman / Irfan), reception/front office (e.g., Aryaman Kapoor, Rohit), and restaurant were great. Breakfast was very good, and though the air was hazy (pollution for this time of year in Delhi), it was pleasant eating breakfast by the window, watching a few peacocks pick their way through the garden.

Because the hotel is a heritage hotel, some of the internal aspects of the rooms and hallways were slightly dated. However, we expected this and it didn't bother us. Everything was very clean, but the water in the shower was warm rather than hot.

The hotel exudes colonial charm, it is a large old palatial building. The furnishings are also a bit old-fashioned, but not at all outdated. The whole complex has some patina, here and there the plaster is crumbling, but this makes the whole thing somehow charming, not at all disturbing. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The rooms are very spacious and well equipped. The breakfast is extensive and so is the menu in the restaurant for dinner. There is a beautiful, very newly built pool where you can relax. The hotel's surroundings are screened off by large walls, so you have peace and quiet and don't realise that you are in bustling Delhi.

The windows of the rooms only open onto the corridor and cannot be opened (which would not be necessary in the heat). The bathroom is clean but could use some touch-ups in a few places. You should be aware that the hotel is not in the centre of Delhi, but you are still well connected. The shuttle from the airport to the hotel is unfortunately very overpriced, you should rather book an Uber, then you only pay a tenth of the price.