The Connaught has reopened its doors in the heart of India’s capital. The boutique hotel boasts of an enviable location close to the business district of Connaught Place, the corridors of power at Lutyens’ Delhi and prime tourist attractions. Indoors lies a vibrant urban sanctuary where Art Deco charm meets contemporary luxury.
After having been taken over by the IHCL group in 2018, The Connaught in Delhi has reopened with an Art Deco makeover under the hospitality brand’s SeleQtions portfolio. The draw of the 104-room boutique hotel is undoubtedly its central location in Lutyens’ Delhi, which offers easy access to the business district of Connaught Place as well as tourist attractions such as the Qutub Minar, India Gate and Jantar Mantar.
The non-descript, business-like exterior serves as a decoy to the visual drama that welcomes you indoors. Designed by Christian Lundwall of Sweden’s Studio Kin, the decor draws on the Georgian and Art Deco aesthetics of Connaught Place with contemporary touches. The studio is known for its individualistic approach to hotel designing with “simplicity, functionality and beauty” at the core of their work. At The Connaught, the result is a boutique urban sanctuary that’s at once eclectic, luxurious, relaxing and intriguing.
Pops of yellow, green and royal purple along with patterned wallpaper and gold light fixtures liven up the sleek rooms that overlook the Shivaji Hockey Stadium. Intricately designed Bikaneri tiles, in hues of blue and white, run through the property. Another recurring motif you’ll spy here—whether through murals or on the upholstery—is splashes of tropical plants and animals like the peacock; a reminder of nature in the midst of the urban jungle.
At the centre of the dining experience is The Hub, an al fresco all-day diner that opens out into a retro-chic bar. An assortment of seating options, such as leather chairs, cosy armchairs and cane furniture; pops of blue and orange; vintage lampshades and eclectic light fixtures create an ambience that feels both vibrant and lived-in. Don’t miss the peacock chair by the glass façade that lets copious natural light filter in during the day.
It’s easy to get distracted by the design offerings on display, but The Connaught does come with the perks of a business hotel as well, including a small ballroom that seats up to 40, three meeting rooms that accommodate between 10 and 30 people, and a fitness centre.
For more information, visit www.seleqtionshotels.com/en-in/connaught-new-delhi/