The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi

Housed in a contemporary, curved building that fits in well with its surrounding apartment complexes and office buildings, the Westin has a luxurious, but professional and business-oriented, look and feel. The lobby features high, two-story ceilings supported by marble columns and huge floor-to-ceiling windows let in just enough natural light.  A large decorative feature composed of multiple iridescent panels of glass hangs from the ceiling, adding lots of color to the otherwise monochromatic space. The first few floors of the hotel are fronted by glass, and there are plenty of seating areas to take in views of a large black brick fountain that sits on the grounds. Most guests here are business travelers who need easy access to the corporate offices that dominate Gurgaon.

The Westin is located in Gurgaon, a satellite city of neighboring Delhi and part of the National Capital Region (NCR). There's not a lot to see or do in Gurgaon proper, and most people stay here because they have work in the area. The only major attraction of interest beside shopping malls full of American and European brands (there's a huge strip of malls just up the road from the hotel) is an entertainment complex called "Kingdom of Dreams," where regular live music and dance performances are held daily. That said, North Indian visitors are the target audience, and most of the shows are mostly in Hindi.

The hotel is about a 10-minute walk to the nearby IFFCO Chowk Metro Station, where the yellow line of the Delhi Metro stops. From here it takes about half an hour to reach South Delhi or an hour to reach Connaught Place, the de facto center of town. The drive can take just as long, or longer during rush hour. Indira Gandhi International Airport is about half an hour away by taxi, depending on traffic. 

The Westing Gurgaon offers a wide range of rooms and suites, ranging from entry-level Deluxe Rooms that measure 441 to 452 square feet, clear up to a 2,336-square-foot, two-bedroom Presidential Suite, which adds all sorts of perks, including its own gym and separate study. Decor is bright and modern, but the rooms are decorated in such a way that they could be anywhere on earth, with plain white beds, cream-colored walls, and light-wood accents and cabinetry, but limited artwork. Bathrooms are equally modern, with angled vessel sinks atop large counters, walk-in rainfall showers, and marble-framed soaking tubs that -- in some units -- look out into the main living areas through a large glass wall (that, of course, can be obscured with a roll-down screen). All units come with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, and tea- and coffee-making facilities (including kettles and French presses for making real filter coffee rather than just the ubiquitous Nescafe).

The main difference between the Deluxe and Premier Rooms is the view; the former has a city view, the latter, a pool view. Rooms have a single big Westin Heavenly bed, and rollaway beds are available for a fee; cribs are available free. The only room that can fit four guests is the two-bedroom Presidential Suite, but connecting Deluxe Rooms are also available. 

The Westin offers a huge range of features, many aimed at business travelers. These include a 24-hour business center and 14 event spaces ranging from small meeting rooms clear up to a ballroom for up to 550 guests. There's also a two-story Executive Club for travelers with SPG Platinum status and for those staying in rooms on the club floors. Features include free newspapers, breakfast, tea and coffee, and evening cocktails. Wi-Fi costs extra for most guests (those staying in Westin Club Rooms and above don't have to pay), but parking is free and abundant; the hotel also has its own tuk-tuks for those who want a lift to the nearby shopping and dining options on MG Road. 

The hotel's spa -- Heavenly --  features Ayurvedic and Thai massage, aquatic therapy, and a juice bar with health food. The 24-hour fitness center is sleek and modern, with a good selection of cardio and weight-training equipment, and those who don't have workout gear can borrow some from the hotel (a feature found in Westin properties around the world). Personal trainers are available morning until night. Other recreational facilities include Indulge -- a reading room that sits next to the Westin's long outdoor pool.

Dining facilities are top-notch and extensive. Options include EEST, which focuses on pan-Asian cuisine and PREGO, an Italian restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Both are open daily for lunch and dinner. The main 24-hour restaurant, Seasonal Tastes, has buffets available for all three meals, a la carte dining at all hours of the day and night, and a special Sunday brunch. There's also a 24-hour patisserie in the lobby with plenty of wines, coffee and accessories, and a coffee bar. Light meals can also be ordered at Splash, the poolside bar and restaurant, or at STORY, an evenings-only bar with its own cigar lounge.