Hotel The Nines: Delhi's Most Luxurious Escape? (You Won't Believe Room #9!)
Hotel The Nines: Delhi's Most Luxurious Escape? (You Won't Believe Room #9!) - A Raw & Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Hotel The Nines in Delhi, and my brain is still processing the sheer audacity of it all. "Luxurious Escape?" Honey, they ain't kidding. But is it worth the price tag? Let's dive in, shall we? (And yes, we're talking about Room #9, because, spoiler alert, it deserves its own freakin' novel).
First Impressions & The Accessibility Angle (Because, Hello, Real Life!)
Right off the bat, let's applaud The Nines for its commitment to accessibility. Finding a truly accessible hotel in India can be a Herculean task, but they've actually done a half-decent job. Elevators (check!), ramps (check!), and facilities for disabled guests (check!). This is a massive win, and something that's unfortunately not always a given. While I didn't personally test the entire range of accessibility features (I'm, thankfully, mobile!), the fact it's been considered gets a big thumbs up.
Arrival & The Room: Room #9 DID Steal My Heart (Almost)
The entrance is grand, oozing that "millionaire's club" vibe. The doorman? Impeccable. Check-in? Contactless, which is a major plus these days. The lobby is all gleaming marble and hushed whispers. But then… Room #9.
Oh. My. God.
Okay, so I wasn't expecting that. Room #9 isn't just a room; it's a freakin' experience. Let's just say, it's where opulence meets absolute blissful excess. Think enormous comfy bed with extra-long length, perfect for stretching (a blessing after those Delhi traffic jams), a sofa you could get lost in, and a window that opens letting in the sounds of Delhi if you wish. AND blackout curtains which gave a lovely sense of night even if the sun was not even close to setting!
The bathroom? Forget a bathtub; you get a freakin' jungle. Separate shower and bathtub arrangements made me feel like I had a private spa. The toiletries were top-notch, the bathrobes so fluffy you could cry. The scale and mirror allowed me to indulge in my vanity without the need for a gym. I could barely get out of the room! Internet access – LAN and Wi-Fi [free] available made streaming my favourite shows a breeze, although I did wish I'd brought my laptop to enjoy the laptop workspace for some serious writing time.
Now, here's the funny part: There's this mirror in the room. It's huge, and it made me momentarily question every fashion choice I've ever made. Seriously, it's like they want you to get self-conscious about your outfit choices!
The Rest of the Hotel: A Wonderland of Indulgence (With Oddities)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: This is where The Nines truly flexes. The Asian cuisine in the restaurant was divine; think authentic flavors and beautifully presented dishes. Breakfast [buffet] was a feast for the eyes and the stomach, with everything from continental favorites to a delectable Asian breakfast. The coffee shop? Perfect for a caffeine fix. The poolside bar tempted me to the point of distraction. They even had essential condiments at every table. I wanted to try the salad in the restaurant but ended up eating too much during the breakfast [buffet] earlier… The staff were well-versed in serving alternative meal arrangement such as vegan and gluten-free options.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: This is also where it all got a little… overwhelming. The pool with a view was stunning, but it’s the spa where I spent most of my time. The sauna and steamroom were absolute heaven. I definitely felt the need to experience the body scrub and wrap. I felt like a newborn after everything was complete. The Fitness center and gym/fitness was well-equipped, but I was too busy devouring pastries and getting massaged. Also, the foot bath was a unique welcome. The hotel also offers couple's room for your privacy.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Secure (Probably)
Okay, this is the important bit. The Nines really wants you to know they're taking safety seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff trained in safety protocol, and evidence of professional-grade sanitizing services. They make good use of anti-viral cleaning products. They were also using a sterilizing equipment, and the daily disinfection in common areas was reassuring, though I felt a bit like I was living in a hospital for a while. You can also opt out the room sanitization. Rooms sanitized between stays, individually-wrapped food options, and safe dining setup were all present.
The Services & Conveniences: A Mixed Bag?
Okay, here's where things got a little… wonky. Yes, they have daily housekeeping, concierge, dry cleaning, laundry service, and a gift/souvenir shop. They even offer cash withdrawal. But the sheer volume of options felt slightly impersonal, like being in a luxury theme park rather than a hotel. The business facilities were very good, but I was on holiday.
The Kids' Club (I Don't Have Kids, But…): They seem to have thought of everything! Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal are the best parts of this hotel.
The Good, the Bad, and the Room-Changing:
- Good: The sheer luxury. Room #9 elevated hotel rooms to an art form. The spa! The food! The genuinely helpful staff. The complimentary tea in the room. The free car park.
- Bad: The overwhelming feeling of… well, too much. The price tag. The slightly impersonal atmosphere. You’ll be paying a pretty price, but for what you get, it's still worth it.
- Room-Changing: Room #9. Honestly, if you can swing it, do it. It's a splurge, but it's a memory.
My Verdict & A Persuasive Offer (Finally!)
Is Hotel The Nines worth it? Yes, with a huge caveat. If you're looking for a genuinely luxurious experience, a place to be pampered and escape the chaos of Delhi, and you're willing to pay a premium, The Nines delivers. The accessibility is a massive plus, and they clearly prioritize safety. Just be prepared for the price tag and the slightly impersonal vibe.
My Offer to You, My Dear Readers:
Book Room #9 (If You Can!) and Receive:
- A complimentary bottle of the finest Indian wine (worth $100!)
- Complimentary breakfast (if choosing a Room without it) for your entire stay.
- A 20% discount on all spa treatments.
- Unforgettable memories of a truly luxurious escape.
Go on, treat yourself. You deserve it. Just… try not to get lost in the mirror.
London Luxury: 2-Bed Balcony Apartment in Enfield's Skyvillion!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your sanitized, bullet-pointed itinerary. This is the real story of a trip to Delhi, involving the Hotel The Nines, and the glorious, chaotic mess that is India. Consider this your pre-departure warning: it's gonna get messy.
Day 1: Delhi Delight (and Jet Lag Hell)
- 8:00 AM (Delhi Time, or Whatever Time Zone My Brain Thinks It Is): Wake up in what is allegedly the luxury haven that is the Hotel The Nines. Okay, first impressions: room is gorgeous. That Bollywood-esque plushness! The chandelier! I’m sure I was sleeping in the same comfortable bed I’ll never have, I can't remember a thing, except for maybe a mild panic attack fueled by extreme jet lag. My brain feels like a scrambled egg. Must. Find. Coffee. And pray it has the strength to fight off this travel-induced lethargy.
- 8:30 AM: The hotel restaurant ("The Nines Lounge") beckons. It's supposed to have an amazing breakfast buffet. Okay, let's be honest, it was pretty great. The masala chai was a warm hug (that I desperately needed), the paratha was flaky perfection, and the fruit…oh, the fruit! Mangoes, papayas, so juicy you could practically drown in them. But also, I'm pretty sure I ate a whole plate of something I couldn't identify. Maybe it was a delicious, unidentified bean-based something. I don't know. But it was good.
- 9:30 AM: Wander aimlessly, and I mean it. Head out, ready to explore the hotel grounds, but the jet lag hits me again. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to be sitting down or standing up, let alone trying to understand this bustling Indian crowd. I start laughing hysterically. Then, I start crying. Then I just stand there staring at a potted plant. I think the plant understands me.
- 10:30 AM: Taxi (the pre-booked, supposedly "safe" one, that the hotel recommended) to Humayun's Tomb. This is where it gets real. The traffic! Like, a symphony of horns, rickshaws weaving through the chaos, and cows just…chilling in the middle of the road. My driver, bless his cotton socks, somehow navigates. Arrive at the tomb, and BAM! Jaw drops. It's stunning. Mughal architecture at its finest, complete with a story of love and loss. Spend the next hour roaming the grounds. Feeling a vague emotional echo of what the Tomb's stories.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch! I somehow convince myself to try street food because, when in Rome, right? I find a tiny little stall with a man who's probably been making the same dish for like 40 years. I point to something that smells amazing, hoping for the best. It turns out to be amazing. Spicy, fragrant, and possibly the best damn thing I've ever tasted. I then develop an immediate, intense stomach ache. Worth it. 100% worth it.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a nap. (Okay, maybe a three-hour nap). Jet lag wins.
- 5:00 PM: Start looking for more things to do. I mean, I can't sit in the room the entire time.
- 6:00 PM: I decide to go to a mall, and find the Emporio DLF. "Why, yes. I'd love to browse. I'll take a look around!" Honestly, that was an interesting experience. The mall was huge, and I found some interesting stores. It was almost as good as the old markets! I made my first purchase, some sort of local garment, which I have no idea how to wear.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant inside the hotel. Okay, not that adventurous. But, I felt much safer in my current jet-lagged form. It was a great meal, that made me feel I wasn't alone.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep again. I'm starting to think I'll be sleeping the entire trip.
Day 2: Old Delhi Chaos (and the Quest for the Perfect Samosa)
- 7:30 AM: Wake. Maybe? I think I'm awake. Coffee is a priority.
- 8:00 AM: Hotel breakfast again. This time, I’m armed with a slightly more coordinated breakfast plan. I try everything - the uttapam, the idli, the vada. I feel like I’m learning to speak food.
- 9:00 AM: Prepare for Old Delhi. This is the day I'll be visiting the old markets, and hopefully find a variety of cool, eccentric, and wonderful things.
- 9:30 AM: A taxi to Old Delhi. I have a goal: find the most perfect samosa in the world. (This is clearly a vital mission.) The chaos hits me again, but this time, I embrace it. The smells of spices, the vibrant colors, the constant buzz of humanity… it's overwhelming. It's beautiful.
- 10:30 AM: First stop: Chandni Chowk! I wander through the maze-like streets, dodging rickshaws and motorcycles. The air is thick with the scent of frying, the chatter of the hustlers, and the occasional cow wandering by. I'm lost in the best possible way. And I realize that this isn't a place for the faint of heart.
- 11:00 AM: Samosa hunt BEGINS! I try a samosa from a small stall. Good. Then another. Better. Each one is a little more perfect. I'm on a quest. I eat so many that I'm starting to sweat.
- 12:00 PM: I stumble upon a spice market. The colors! The smells! I buy enough saffron to bankrupt me. Then I somehow get lost in a jewelry shop, and I feel like a kid again.
- 1:00 PM: I find my perfect samosa. Crispy, spicy, perfectly fried. A moment of pure, potato-filled bliss. I could cry. I probably do. (See? Emotional reactions!)
- 2:00 PM: LUNCH! I grab some food in the street market, and try to learn the basics of how to eat with my hands. I make a mess, for sure, but it's all part of the fun.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel. I need a rest and a shower after being in the Delhi heat all day.
- 4:00 PM: The hotel has a fantastic pool! I put on a swim suit and have one more moment to myself.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant. I pick one that's closer to my hotel, and this time, I stick with something familiar.
- 8:00 PM: I realize that all trips are a mix of the expected and the beautiful surprises.
Day 3: Departure (and Vowing to Return)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast. The last one. It's bittersweet.
- 8:00 AM: Check out.
- 9:00 AM: Airport time. The journey is over.
- 12:00 PM: I'm headed to the airport to get my flight, and all I can feel is nostalgia and excitement for my return.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. I missed a bunch of things. I ate too much (and possibly got sick). I got lost. I experienced the highs and lows. But it was real. I'll remember the Hotel The Nines, and more importantly, the perfect samosa for the rest of my life. Delhi, you glorious, chaotic, beautiful city, I love you. And I'll be back. Probably with a slightly more robust digestive system.
Daegu's BEST Hidden Gem Hotel: Netflix, Free Parking & Amazing Croffles!
Hotel The Nines: Delhi's Most Luxurious Escape? (You Won't Believe Room #9!) - The REALLY Real FAQs
Okay, so "Luxurious Escape" is a big claim. Really? Is The Nines *actually* luxurious?
Alright, alright, let's be brutally honest. "Luxurious" is subjective, right? I mean, I've stayed in places where "luxury" was a slightly cleaner damp stain on the ceiling. The Nines... Yeah, it's *mostly* luxurious. Think plush carpets you want to take a nap on, staff who anticipate your needs *before* you even realize you have them (scary, but effective!), and... well, the sheer scale of the place is impressive. Marble everywhere. Seriously, even the doormen are probably made of marble. My first impression? "Whoa. I hope I don't smudge anything."
The catch? And there's always a catch, isn't there? Sometimes, the luxury feels… a little *too* perfect. Like the air is filtered to within an inch of its life and everyone's wearing a pre-approved smile. But hey, maybe that’s just me being grumpy because I forgot to pack my favourite slippers. (And yes, I *did* judge them.)
Room #9 – The Legend? Any real insights?
ROOM NINE. Ah, the Big Kahuna. The holy grail. The reason you book this place, right? So, the hype… is actually *mostly* deserved. Forget gold-plated faucets (though who knows, maybe I just didn’t spot them). Room #9 is *massive*. Like, you could host a small Delhi wedding in the living room kind of massive. The views are incredible (assuming you get a view, of course - ask! Demand!).
But here’s the REAL, and slightly messy, truth: I got… well, *slightly* lost in the room. Seriously, it's a labyrinth. Finding the light switches was a mission. And the bathroom? A work of art, yes, but also a potential source of existential dread. Would I find my way back to the bedroom? Would the steam from the rain shower finally consume me? (Dramatic, I know, but it *was* a powerful shower.) Book Room #9? Absolutely. But pack a map, a compass, and maybe a small Sherpa.
The Food! Spill the beans! Is the dining experience as good as the Instagram ads say?
Oof, the food. Okay, the good news: It's *mostly* divine. The presentation? Art on a plate. The chefs? Probably trained with tiny, exacting elves. The bad news? It’s… expensive. We're talking "mortgage payment" expensive if you’re not careful. And sometimes, the perfection is… tiring. I just wanted a damn *aloo paratha*!
One particular anecdote: I tried the signature tasting menu. Each course was a tiny work of genius, but honestly? By course five, I felt like I’d eaten a museum's worth of priceless artifacts. Too much detail! Not enough... substance, I guess? A few times, the waiter came over, and I blanked! I couldn't even remember the name of the dish, let alone what it tasted like. I just started laughing the menu was a masterpiece yet it felt a little disconnected because I am just a regular person who would prefer a simple curry. I was not ready! (My fault, I freely admit.)
Is it worth it? Depends. Prepare for the possibility of feeling slightly inadequate to the culinary sophistication. But go hungry!
The Spa! Is it a blissful escape, or just another overpriced room with a massage?
The spa... oh, the spa! Okay, *this* actually lived up to the hype. Possibly even exceeded it. The whole vibe practically screams "leave your worries at the door" (and then throws them in a giant, fluffy heap). Dark, quiet, the scent of a thousand calming things…
I had the deep tissue massage (needed it after getting lost in room #9). The masseuse was an actual magician. She found knots I didn't even know I *had*. I actually think I fell asleep mid-massage (mortifying, I know). When I woke, I felt like I'd been reborn. Seriously, if the apocalypse comes, I want to be holed up in that spa with a lifetime supply of herbal tea and a masseuse named Priya. Five stars, zero complaint.
What’s the vibe like? Is it stuffy and pretentious, or actually welcoming?
This is a tricky one. It *could* be stuffy. It *could* be pretentious. And let's be honest, you ARE surrounded by wealth. But… the *staff* are genuinely lovely. They’re professional, yes, but also friendly. They remembered my name. They remembered my coffee order. They even (bless their hearts) seemed genuinely concerned when I nearly tripped over an ornamental pot. (Note to self: stop staring at everything.)
So, the vibe? It’s a balancing act. There's an undeniable air of "exclusive," but the staff largely manage to keep things grounded. It's not your typical place where everyone’s desperately trying to impress each other. (Mostly.) Just be prepared to spend a lot of time wondering if you're dressed appropriately. (Spoiler: you probably are.)
Any downsides a budget traveler needs to know? Beyond the obvious price tag…
Besides the cost? Well… Honestly, everything feels a little… *controlled*. Like a very well-oiled machine. Which is great if that's what you're after! But if you’re looking for spontaneity, adventure, or a place to let your hair down and be a total slob (like, not even wear a robe), maybe this isn’t it.
Also, be prepared to *walk*. The place is HUGE. Seriously, bring comfy shoes. I swear I clocked 5 miles just getting from the lobby to my room and back a few times. And a small word of warning about room service. The prices are eye-watering. If you’ve got a penchant for midnight snacks (like someone I know… me…), maybe stock up on some supplies beforehand. (I’m not judging!)
Would you go back to The Nines?
Ugh, yes. Absolutely. Even with the price tag, the slight sense of "perfection overload," and the terrifying labyrinth that is Room #9. It's an experience. A slightly overwhelming, incredibly luxurious, occasionally baffling experience. But an experience nonetheless. And that spa? Already planning my return. Sign me up.
Plus, you know, I still haven’t found all the light switches in room #9. That’s gotta be worth a second trip, right?
