Private Pools Near Delhi For Those Who Want To Make A Splash
Have you ever dawdled on the perimeter of a pool to get to the other side? No? Just me then? An easy weapon for someone who wants to kill me and make it look like an accidental drowning: I don’t know how to swim. But, I love pools! Even more if there’s a private pool in my hotel room or Airbnb where I can thrash my legs (I own two swimsuits just for this purpose). And now that we’re confined to our homes (mostly), all the more reason to find private pools in Delhi, or around.
Public pools are risky, so it makes sense if you want to check out the hotels, Airbnbs, and villas offering suites and villas with their own safe haven. When I wrote about the safety of hotel pools and the better alternative of private pools for Fodor’s Travel, I was asked if I knew places around Delhi that had them. Why, I do!
Remember: India is ranking second in the world with 7.65 million COVID-19 cases, so make sure you understand the risks of travelling right now. I have already made a case for not travelling in India, but I empathise with those who are ready to be out there!
Before booking anything, call up the property and ask details about their safety protocols. Some things to look out for: mandatory masks in public areas by guests and staff; sanitation of rooms between guests; 24-hour gap between guests; low capacity at restaurants and a social distance of at least six feet between tables; contactless check-in and room service; and frequent sanitation of high-touch surfaces.
There has been no report that the infection can be caused by water, but you should still ensure that the private pool is cleaned before your use and the pH and chlorine levels are maintained as per the WHO standards.
Hotels With Private Pools
Private pools are indulgences of luxury hotels and resorts, so they come at a hefty price. A tip: Call up the hotel and try to get a better deal. Most of these hotels are pretty generous. Just be nice even if they say no 
The Westin Sohna Resort & Spa
I stayed at The Westin Sohna once for a corporate retreat. Just 40 minutes from Gurgaon, the resort sprawls over 45 acres of greens, and features 97 rooms and suites, four dining venues, a spa, and pools. My favourite part? The emus! Did you know that Westin is known for its extra comfy beds? They also have other programmes focused on overall well-being and fitness.
The guest rooms are spacious and the villas come with decks, patios or gardens. But the best room in the house is the two-bedroom Royal Pool Villa that can be your getaway with your friends (it accommodates five). Westin also has a range of environmental practices including recycling, rainwater harvesting and smart irrigation, among others.
Price: Rs 45,000 upwards per night for five people; book here.
ITC Grand Bharat, Gurgaon
A short drive from Delhi, ITC Grand Bharat at the foothills of the Aravallis is India’s first all-suite hotel. Its sister property in Delhi has always been a favourite of foreign dignitaries and state heads, and the luxury hotel brand is top-of-the-line. This one, however, feels a bit over-the-top with its architecture that draws from various Indian dynasties, styles and schools of art. It seems too ornate.
ITC Grand Bharat has a golf course, a full-service spa, 100 suites, and five restaurants and bars, but most importantly for you: four Presidential Villas with private pools. It was designed to give you a glimpse of India’s legacy, from Cholas to Mughals. Since this is the crown of the hotel, you can expect the works here: two bedrooms (master bathroom has steam, sauna, walk-in closet, and a bathtub), a private deck with a pool with Jaccuzi, a kitchen with fully stocked pantry, and a dining and living room.
Price: Not available online; book here.
The Leela Palace New Delhi
How do you feel about an in-room, heated plunge pool? The Leela Palace New Delhi is one of the best hotels in the city, again a celebrity favourite, and definitely with one of the best private pools in Delhi. It is designed tastefully with modern aesthetics—Persian rugs, Murano chandeliers, fresh flowers and carved statues are spotted everywhere. Plus, the service is discreet and hospitable, hence the throng of state heads, celebrities and dignitaries. There are 236 rooms, and 18 suites with butler service, a spa and a rooftop swimming pool here that overlooks the city.
But let’s get to the point: the luxury suites, with their marble bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling doors and views of Delhi. The Royal Suite with Lounge Pool, the Grand Suite with Plunge Pool and the Maharaja Suite are the three options you have here.
Price: Not available online; book here.
Roseate House New Delhi
Another city hotel that epitomises luxury, Roseate House in Delhi’s Aerocity features 216 rooms and suites, along with a spa, a club and five options that derive from the capital city’s heritage (the names Kheer, DEL, and Chidiya Ghar are no coincidences).
Here, in the swanky neighbourhood with many more upscale hotels, Roseate House makes a run for the first prize with its Presidential Suite. It has its own dining and living room, a master bedroom with study and in-suite bathroom with bathtub and walk-in closet, a stocked pantry, and butler service. The grand finale, the reason it’s on this list: the suite opens up to a private outdoor pool and deck!
Comments
Post a Comment