New Delhi, October 2025, India –THE IMPERIAL NEW DELHI – India’s Grand Hotel has been named INDIA’S NO. 1 HOTEL, ranked among ‘THE BEST HOTELS IN THE WORLD’ list by CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER UK READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2026. With the highest score of 99.89/100, The Imperial New Delhi outshines all hotels and resorts in the world. This honour comes just after the 2 MICHELIN keys-which distinguishes the hotel for exceptional stays, benchmarking it on global stage for hospitality excellence, while underscoring the trust placed in the legendary institution, by travellers from around the world.
With over 296,356 survey responses from discerning readers across the United Kingdom, the Readers’ Choice Awards remain the travel industry’s longest running and most respected global accolades.
Mr. Louis Sailer, Senior Executive Vice President, The Imperial New Delhi, expressed: “Being named No. 1 Hotel in India by the Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, with an exceptional score of 99.89/100 — the highest score awarded to any hotel in the world — is a moment of immense pride for The Imperial New Delhi. This extraordinary recognition is above all a testament to our remarkable team, whose passion, dedication, craftsmanship and unwavering commitment to excellence define The Imperial every day. We are deeply grateful to our guests and patrons from home and across the world for their trust, loyalty and affection, and to the readers of Condé Nast Traveller UK for this incredible honour. My deepest appreciation also goes to our owners for their continued trust and support, which empowers our team to pursue excellence with confidence and conviction. This is a proud moment for everyone who is part of The Imperial family, and one we will cherish deeply.”
Since opening its doors in 1936, The Imperial New Delhi has stood at the heart of the capital as India’s Grand Hotel—a timeless address where history has been lived, celebrated and made. From its sweeping marble colonnades and hand-knotted Persian carpets to its distinguished rooms and suites, storied corridors and tranquil gardens, every element speaks to a heritage that is both magnificent and deeply personal. Here, luxury is not simply seen—it is felt, through gracious service, exceptional dining, transformative wellness and the quiet sense of belonging to something enduring. The Imperial is more than a hotel. It is an eight-acre oasis in the heart of India’s capital, and a living repository of the nation’s history, art and culture. Explore our storied world on www.theimperialindia.com
The 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveller’s website at https://www.cntraveller.com/article/readers-choice-awards-top-india-hotels-2026 and celebrated in the November issue.
About The Imperial, New Delhi
India’s Grand Hotel and a legacy since 1936, The Imperial is where history, hospitality and grandeur meet. Spotlighted for exceptional stay with 2 Michelin Keys and World’s 50 Best Discovery 2025, it has been honoured as the ‘Best City Hotel in India’ by the Inaugural ‘Tatler Best India 2026’. A Grand Dame of the East, the hotel brings together Victorian, Art Deco and Lutyens’ architecture, set amidst eight acres of landscaped gardens. Conceived in 1934 by Blomfield and inaugurated by Lord Willingdon in 1936, it remains a remarkable expression of an era, refined for the present. Its marble colonnades, Persian carpets, storied corridors, tranquil gardens and distinguished rooms and suites reveal a heritage that is both grand and deeply personal. Here, luxury is felt through gracious hospitality, exceptional dining and transformative wellness. Within its walls, more than 5,500 original works of art spanning the 17th and 18th centuries make every passage an encounter with India’s artistic legacy. For generations, royalty, statesmen, dignitaries, artists and discerning travellers have crossed its threshold. Among them were Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten, whose encounters here unfolded during the momentous years surrounding Partition. Today, The Imperial is more than a hotel. It is an eight-acre oasis, a living repository of India’s history, art and culture and a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Virtuoso, American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, and Serandipians.
