Hyatt Regency Delhi

Opened in 1983, the Hyatt is one of the older hotels to launch in South Delhi and is a bit of a landmark in its own right, despite lacking the historic appeal of some of the centrally located alternatives. The exterior is enormous, in a V-shaped formation of light sandstone with lots of greenery in the form of hedges, lawns, and palms leading up to the entrance. Inside, an elegant but understated lobby features off-white and hunter-green tiled marble floors and a few plush seating areas. The huge hotel attracts mostly business guests, though some tourists as well; it also gets its fare share of locals dropping in to use the massive spa and fitness facilities or simply dine at one of the many on-site bars and restaurants. 

Security is tight, and the initial arrival will either be reassuring or a bit of a hassle, depending on your perspective. Expect bag scans, metal detectors, and elevators operated with your room key.

The Hyatt Regency is located in South Delhi, just off the inner ring road, a major South Delhi thoroughfare. It's a little far to walk to the nearest metro at the All India Institute of Medical Science, but the metro can be reached in under 10 minutes by car or autorickshaw. It's a five-minute drive to Sarojini Nagar, a lively market area with heavily discounted women's fashion from around the world (including lots of factory seconds), while the hip Hauz Khas Village -- with lots of shops, bars, and restaurants -- is a 15-minute drive away. Popular shopping and dining area Connaught Place (the de facto city center) takes a minimum of 25 minutes to reach by car. 

It takes around 20 minutes or so to reach both India Gate and Jantar Mantar, a collection of ancient astronomical instruments. Getting to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi's best-known Sikh temple, is also around a 20-minute drive. The UNESCO World Heritage Qutub Minar is a 20-minute drive from the hotel without traffic, and Humayan's Tomb, also a UNESCO site, takes around the same amount of time to reach, but is in the opposite direction. The sprawling Lodhi Gardens, full of Lodhi-era tombs and meandering paths, is a 15-minute drive away. The Lotus Temple is around a half-hour drive east of the hotel.

Old Delhi Railway Station and Old Delhi's bustling market area -- Chandni Chowk -- are both about 30 minutes away by car, while it's a 15- to 20-minute drive to New Delhi Railway Station. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is about 20 minutes away by car without traffic, but can take significantly longer during peak hours.

The Hyatt offers three room categories -- Standard Rooms, View Rooms, and Regency Club Rooms -- plus Suites. All rooms offer one king-size bed or two twins, and are around 25 square meters (269 square feet) -- a bit small for this category. Rooms at the nearby Taj Palace start at 28 square meters. Decor is similar throughout units, but isn't particularly memorable, and generally consists of wood floors and matching wall paneling, a few white or wood-toned sets of drawers, and white and gray linen and upholstery, including modern area rugs.

View Rooms look out on the lawns and the swimming pool while Regency Club Rooms are on a private floor and, as the name suggests, include access to the Regency Club, with perks including free breakfast and cocktails. Suites start at around 48 square meters (158 feet) and have separate living areas; many also have furnished balconies. All rooms come with desks, minibars, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs with satellite cable, and safes. Bathrooms are more striking than the rooms, with large glassed-in walk-in showers and separate (if small) tubs, and ample use of marble on the walls and floors. Robes and hairdryers are provided.

The Hyatt has a whopping total of eight restaurants and bars, including an English-style Polo Lounge, a Pool Bar with cocktails and light meals, and the 24-hour Cafe with a huge selection of drinks and meal items, including Indian and Western fare. Sidewalk serves freshly baked breads and pastries, while La Piazza focuses on Italian cuisine at lunch and dinner, accompanied by an excellent wine list. TK's Oriental Grill features seven hot grills for guests to watch their food being prepared, while the China Kitchen offers an open kitchen, a wine wall, a tea bar, and the option of private dining rooms. They also run brunch specials and have a late-night (read 24-hour) bar serving Chinese twists on typical cocktails. Room service is also available around the clock. 

The on-site Club Olympus Spa includes one of Delhi's finest fitness facilities and offers high-end cardio and weight training equipment plus a steam bath, a whilrpool, and a sauna. Additional fitness opportunities include Bollywood dance and Zumba lessons, yoga classes, and personal training. However, note that the club is open to membership from non-hotel guests, so it can get crowded during peak times, particularly before and after the work day. The spa also offers a wide range of treatments, including facials, aromatherapy treatments, and salon services. The hotel's large outdoor pool area is considered part of the spa (and thus open to club members) and has both lane swimming area and freeform sections. It's surrounded by a large grassy lawn with lounge chairs and umbrellas and is partially shaded throughout the day by the towering hotel.

As a business hotel, the Hyatt has plenty of meeting and event facilities, including the huge Oval Room, complete with open show kitchens. There are also plenty of smaller rooms ranging from small boardrooms to a pillar-free ballroom and wedding planning services and catering can be arranged. There's a two-story shopping arcade selling high-end handicrafts from across India. A concierge is available to arrange local area transport, sightseeing tours, and even babysitting services. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though high-speed service costs extra. There's plenty of on-site parking available for a small fee.