Turning its history into its USP has been a strategy that The Imperial hotel in Delhi has followed since its extensive renovation some years ago.
Long before the country gained its independence from the British rule, the hotel was designed to be part of architect Lutyens' grand vision of the Capital city's original master plan. Blomfield, who designed the hotel, gave it a blend of Victorian, colonial and informal art deco.
Now, every time a makeover of any area of The Imperial takes place, the design goes back to hark on its unique history. Just recently Daniells' Tavern sported a new look using its history to the hilt. The Tavern's menu revisits India from the eyes of Thomas and William Daniells -- the uncle-nephew team who travelled across the length and breadth of India in 1786 capturing their journey and aspects of the country through detailed lithographs.
The re-launched Daniells' Tavern has the duo's original lithographs adorning the walls, while their recipes from the places they travelled find their place on the menu. Among the art pieces is the lithograph of the Jantar Mantar monument painted from the exact spot where the Daniells' Tavern stands today.
