Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport

The Radisson Blu Plaza is a grand hotel that's a step ahead of most of the properties that are clustered near the entrance to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. Still, this is a business hotel, and the style here is predictably restrained. Glass doors lead to a semicircular lobby with marble floors and an attractive, but businesslike vibe that's repeated elsewhere throughout the property. There are casual seating areas with soft chairs and coffee tables both in the lobby and near the elevators on every floor. These complement the many dining and drinking options throughout the hotel as well as a wealth of space for conventions and meetings. Most guests are here either because of its convenient access to the airport or to attend a wedding or business event on-site, though the occasional tourist passes through as well.

The Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi is located right on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, across from the main road that leads into Indira Gandhi International Airport, a five-minute drive away. The Delhi Aerocity Metro station is a two-minute drive or 15-minute walk from the hotel, making trips into the city relatively easy, though it is a bit of a haul from here to central Delhi for anyone wanting to see the sights. It will take about 40 minutes via the Delhi Airport Express metro line to reach Connaught Place's upmarket shops and restaurants. South Delhi's Qutub Minar takes about half an hour to reach by car, while Humayun's Tomb and the Sufi shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin are about a 45-minute drive away, depending on traffic. Expect drives of 45 minutes to an hour to reach attractions in the center of the city, such as Connaught Place, and over an hour to reach Old Delhi and the Red Fort. The IT hub city of Gurgaon takes about the 45 minutes to reach by car, traffic permitting.

The Raddisson Blu has 261 rooms and suites, ranging from entry-level Superior Rooms clear up to a grand Presidential Suite. Decor is consistent throughout, with mid-tone wood floors and matching furniture as well as plain white beds spruced up with muted gold bed runners and throw pillows. It's all handsome and modern -- with lots of beige and brown tones throughout plus dark marble surfaces -- but not exactly chic. All feature flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and DVD players, desks with plenty of outlets, safes, minibars, air-conditioning, and kettles for making tea and instant coffee. Bathrooms are mostly marble and have, large walk-in showers or separate showers and tubs, though some have windows that look out into the rooms that may compromise privacy. Shades can be pulled down for the modest.

Superior Rooms measure 317 square feet (about 97 square meters) and manage to fit in sofas with coffee tables without feeling crowded. At 414 square feet (126 square meters), Premium Rooms add soaking tubs in the bathrooms. Executive Suites have 575 square feet (175 square meters) of space and include separate living rooms with flat-screen TVs, plush sofas, and work desks, as do the 610-square-foot (186-square-meter) Deluxe Suites. The largest room in the house is the two-bedroom Presidential Suite, with four Smart TVs, a study, two living rooms, and a dining room along with a kitchenette. Despite the hotel's proximity to the airport, noise from airplanes is minimal due to excellent soundproofing.

The Raddison Blu Plaza has great amenities, including a gorgeous lagoon-shaped pool with terraced fountain features, an integrated whirlpool, and lots of lounge seating and greenery surrounding it. Other on-site features include a three-story spa offering all sorts of massages and facials as well as a hydrotherapy lounge with a sauna and steam room. There's a beauty salon and a fitness center with cardio and weight-training equipment, plus yoga teachers and personal trainers on request. 

Dining is a highlight and there are several well-regarded outlets on-site. The Great Kabab Factory is a popular chain outpost with an all-you-can eat selection of perfectly kebabs served in a dark, but beautifully decorated space with a celestial theme highlighted by star-patterned chairs and lots of blue glass lanterns. Other restaurants include the lauded Neung Roi, one of the city's better Thai restaurants. NYC is a more casual option, with all sorts of international buffets for all meals plus a la carte dining and drinks 24 hours a day, and round-the-clock room service. For something lighter, there's also a pastry shop and a "grab-and-run" breakfast for those on the go. Business Class Rooms come with access to the hotel's Plaza Lounge, with features including evening drinks, and guests in this category get two hours of free meeting room use per stay. 

The Radisson is very much a convention hotel and offers a number of meeting room options, including the Crystal Hall, which can accommodate up to 800 people. There's also a business center with a 12-seat conference room, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. On-site parking is also free for all guests and visitors to the restaurants. Express laundry service with a three-hour turnaround is available on request.