Delhi's Imperial Hotel

First opened in 1931, The Imperial was designed by Sir Edward Lutyen's associate D.J. Bromfield. Lutyen was an architect who was hired to create New Delhi, a government complex which was surrounded by wide, leafy streets and roundabouts -- a stark contrast to the hurly-burly chaos of Old Delhi.

The hotel, which was restored in the '90's, is a magnificent mixture of colonial, Victorian and art deco styles and the minute you walk up the long drive that is flanked by 2 dozen soaring King Palms you know you've gone back in time to a bygone era.

The truth is you could spend a month just wandering around the twisting hallways alone -- where every wall, every nook and cranny is filled with museum-quality art and artifacts -- in fact -- there are tours you can take of this hotel.

There is no comfort which has been overlooked and I cannot think of a more perfect place to have started this holiday.

From the floral arrangements, to the gardens, to the indoor courtyards if you can't unwind here then there's no hope for you at all.

I never want to leave ... but alas ...