The Manor is probably the Indian capital's best-kept secret. Insiders are reluctant to spread the word for fear that this oasis in the huge, sprawling megapolis that is New Delhi could be ruined by over-popularity. The Manor offers a more intimate experience than you'd get at any big-brand hotel. Entering the property is like stepping into an opulent, elegant home - one with a lush garden, in a very chic neighbourhood. This tranquil and leafy suburb is home to tycoons, media barons and diplomats, who live in white mansions surrounded by high walls.
Developed in the 1950s as a small two-storey country hotel, The Manor is a delightful refuge from the city yet close enough to wherever most visitors will need to go.
The Manor has 16 rooms, some of which open out onto the garden. All are elegant and understated, with cherry wood panelling, wooden floors, green granite bathrooms and contemporary fittings. No Indian ethnic here. The furniture is upholstered in brown and cream silk and olive-green leather. Black and white photographs of Delhi monuments hang on otherwise bare cream walls. On the first floor, there is a small library with windows that open out onto a large terrace overlooking the garden; a great place in which to have a drink or sunbathe while trying to remember the difference between frangipani, ficus and hibiscus, all of which bloom on the lawn below. The Onyx bar, on the ground floor, is another option.
