BACKGROUND Marriott International’s JW Marriott Hotel at New Delhi Aerocity is one of the largest properties in Aerocity and was one of the first few to be inaugurated here.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? I reached the hotel within five minutes of leaving the airport — which itself is quite a luxury in the capital city. Bronze and golden shades, minimal lighting and a geometric-patterned marbled flooring are some of the elements of its lobby decor. Stretching across the lobby is an enamouring glass installation by San Francisco-based artist Nicholas Weinstein, designed with 35,330 custom-made glass tubes. The design is smart and modern and emanates a sense of sophisticated luxury.

WHERE IS IT? Walk for about eight minutes to reach Delhi Aerocity’s metro station, while New Delhi and Gurugram are accessible by car in about 45 minutes. The property faces Indira Gandhi International Airport’s runway, which is blocked by a wall due to security reasons.

ROOMS An iPod docking station, a DVD player, an LCD TV, an in-room safe, a minibar, a coffee/tea maker, Marriott’s signature REVIVE bedding and bath amenities by Aromatherapy Associates London are provided in all rooms. The 523 rooms of the property are divided into Deluxe rooms (42 sqm), Terrace rooms (52 sqm), Club rooms (42 sqm), Executive suites (93 sqm), Luxury suites (84 sqm), King suites (80 sqm) and the Presidential suite (275 sqm). I stayed in an Executive suite that is decorated in grey and beige, and features dark mahogany panelling. There is a separate living space and the work desk has a variety of power sockets. The iPod docking station connects easily to any Bluetooth device and I played music through my iPhone during my time in the room. Guests staying in categories upwards of the Executive room have access to the Executive lounge where I spent one evening hosting a meeting.

FOOD AND DRINK The hotel’s F&B is its pride. Delhi Baking Company has some fantastic cheesecakes while K3 brings together three cuisines (North Indian, Cantonese and Tuscan) where I enjoyed hearty breakfasts. The Oval Bar houses exclusive liquor and its collection of single malts is quite a treat. Akira Back, an outpost of the eponymous Japanese chef brings forth a Japanese infused-with-Korean menu that pairs well with its collection of sake and Japanese beers. The tuna pizza and the jeju hirame chojang (a Korean fish delicacy) are worth a try here. The hotel has recently opened another lounge bar called Playground.

MEETINGS The hotel’s meeting space sprawls across 2,302 sqm of eight rooms on two levels. The hotel has a large pillar less ballroom facility (1,210 sqm), which can further be divided by soundproof partitions. There is a professional event planning team at the property.

LEISURE The hotel offers the JW Fitness Club and a 939 sqm Quan Spa with five treatment rooms, spa-bath, steam and sauna, and an outdoor, heated swimming pool ideal for chilly Delhi winters. I spent my mornings working out at its expansive fitness centre.

VERDICT Discerning luxury for the sophisticated business traveller.

CONTACT

Asset Area 4 Hospitality, Aerocity, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi 110037; +91 11 4521 2121; marriott.com

Ravi Lalwani