Built in 1931, this contemporary colonial hotel was a favourite haunt of Nehru, Mountbatten and other luminaries. It continues to welcome many dignitaries and affluent Delhiites who drop by for Sunday brunch (one of the best in Delhi). There are 233 beautifully appointed rooms and 43 suites. Additional amenities include a swimming pool, beauty centre, shopping precinct and a selection of superlative restaurants and bars.

Formerly the Aman New Delhi Hotel, The Lodhi is an contemporary, upmarket resort featuring exquisite Indian decor such as hand-made rugs and jaali screens. It offers 40 rooms, with balconies offering city, courtyard or garden views, deep bathtubs, a spa, tennis courts, 50m-long (140ft) pool, restaurants and even a library and a cigar lounge.

An elegant and modern hotel, The Oberoi occupies a peaceful position overlooking New Delhi's principal golf course and the historic Humayun's Tomb. Ideal for business travellers and well-heeled tourists, it offers a state-of-the-art business centre, spa, swimming pool and gym. Fine dining options are plentiful and include the excellent Italian restaurant Travertino and the popular Threesixty, which is also the setting for The Oberoi's indulgent breakfasts.

The Hyatt Regency Delhi offers the perfect antidote to the city's chaotic streets. Excellent service, well-appointed rooms and a location that's convenient for the business districts and the airport make this a solid choice. Meeting rooms and boardrooms are available and come with state-of-the-art audiovisual support and dedicated staff. After work, relax in the spa/health club or the fabulous swimming pool. The hotel also features the highly acclaimed China Kitchen and award-winning La Piazza Italian restaurants.

In the heart of the Gurgaon commercial district to the southwest of New Delhi, this is a business hotel with a difference, in that it has a genuinely Indian character to its modern and comfortable facilities. It's not a bad place for relaxation either, with its rooftop swimming pool, lobby lounge bar and up-to-the-minute gym facilities. The hotel has 80 rooms, all equipped with the latest TVs and other technology, and also offers a choice of meeting/conference rooms. Central Delhi is connected to Gurgaon by metro link.

Positioned among the leafy boulevards of New Delhi, The Claridges is one of the capital's most elegant and atmospheric places to stay. There's a touch of art deco to this low-rise building, which dates from the mid-1900s. Its 137 rooms and suites are a blend of classic and modern styles, all spacious and well presented. There is also a decent health club, swimming pool, beauty parlour and a choice of several restaurants.

Located in one of south Delhi's most picturesque neighbourhoods is this six-room contemporary guesthouse. The owners have transformed an old home into a slick modern hotel awash with striking colours and design. One of the main draw cards is the generous roof terrace that commands spectacular views of Humayun's Tomb, as do the rooms on the second floor. A kitchen is available for guests to use and meals may also be ordered.

The location may not be the most salubrious but this hotel, the Taj Group's 'Smart Basic' hotel, is excellent for those counting their Rupees. Rooms are simple, clean and well equipped with flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, air conditioning and smart ensuite bathrooms. There's a 24-hour restaurant on site, or you can get orders delivered from local eateries. The Delhi hotel also features a meeting room, gym, on-site ATM and has a laundry facility.

A new property conveniently located at Karol Bagh – 10 minutes by metro from Connaught Place, and little further from the New Delhi railway station, this is a comfortable and friendly place to base yourself for a short stay in Delhi. The accommodation floors surround an open-air courtyard restaurant area. Wi-Fi access is available, and the hotel will arrange collection and drop-off at both the airport and main railway stations if arranged in advance.