Taj Mahal, New Delhi

New Delhi's Taj Mahal Hotel is a local landmark, a top-class international luxury hotel, located in Lutyens' Delhi, the historic city center that is home to India's senior government officials as well as a number of millionaires and CEOs. The architecture in this district is historical and unique, and the meticulous landscaping means the city center enjoys temperatures several degrees cooler than the surrounding sprawl.

In the past, New Delhi has played the staid businessman to Mumbai's Bollywood starlet, but the recent economic boom has meant an influx of capital and a growing population of the young and rich. The nightlife still leaves something to be desired compared to Mumbai, but it is catching up, and those of a less hedonistic bent will enjoy the sense of history — the city is rich with old-fashioned Mughal architecture, and cows still wander the streets alongside the shiny foreign cars.

This is the place to stay if you are a foreign dignitary, or just wish to be treated as one. The Taj Mahal is a full-featured luxury business hotel, with top-notch conference facilities and a host of leisure services, including a pool, spa, tennis courts, and access to Delhi Golf Club. The restaurants and bars are among Luytens' finest, and the Grill Room, on the rooftop, has a spectacular view over the neigborhood's picturesque buildings and gardens.