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Review
For all intents and purposes, where Taj Surajkund really shines is in what it does for the folks in Delhi who desperately need a break. The let's-head-out-for-the-weekend folks. The I'm-sick-of-planning-hill-getaways folks. The we-should-spend-family-time folks. You get the gist.
At first glance, you may think this is a strange niche I'm going on about. On closer introspection, you will realise that you may very well have been all of these folks at some point in your urban-hell city life. And while Delhi's home to some of the slickest and loveliest hotels in the country, they're usually too centrally located to really allow a full de-stress. A half-hour drive into the semi-wilderness without planning an itinerary, though? Now we're talking.
The property, perched on the outer edge of Delhi, was taken over by the Taj Hotels group from the Claridges in 2013. Back then, it functioned as a Taj Vivanta. In February 2026, it reopened in a new avatar – as a resort and spa. As a chain that’s already got two beautiful properties in Delhi – one in Chanakyapuri and another on Mansingh Road – this one had to be markedly different in order to make sense. And it is! Away from the bustle of city life, the hotel possesses a marvellous view of the Aravallis, a world-class spa, and rooms that feel slightly more luxurious than usual.
Frankly speaking, this hotel doesn’t make sense for tourists who want quick access to the city’s most famous attractions, or business travellers, because it isn’t particularly close to any airport.
The hotel seems almost intentionally designed for providing a break – and catering specifically to people residing in Delhi NCR. The property’s large, but not massive enough to cow a visitor. It still feels intimate enough to claim a majestic view of the Delhi Ridge, with a massively airy ground floor that wraps around a lush courtyard and conveniently placed dining areas.
Who this hotel is REALLY for is folks looking to experience a truly high-quality spa, loads of pampering, some day drinking, and little to no responsibility about deciding where to eat.
The hotel’s about 30 minutes from South Delhi, and about 45 minutes from Central Delhi. I wouldn’t advise a trip on the Delhi Metro for this one. One must curse at the Tughlaqabad traffic and amuse oneself with the cacophony of honks for a bit when going by road, but there's an added perk to the journey that enchanted me to no end: crossing the mighty ruins of the Tughlaqabad Fort, gently overtaken by vegetal sprawl. One can see the ramparts of the remnants of what was envisioned as the third city of Delhi. It's just a sweet little reminder of how endlessly historical Delhi city is. And makes for a nice conversation on the way up to the property.
We stayed in a Luxury Suite. Let me tell you – if you can afford it, get it. Especially if you’re coming here to unwind. It just feels incredibly worth it to fork out a bit more to feel like you’ve truly escaped city life.
The suite is almost stupidly large, and comes with a terrace garden, several wraparound balconies, a dining room, a living room, and a massive bedroom with a gargantuan television. Every nook comes with an aforementioned balcony, with views of the courtyard, the forest, and beyond, and the marbled bathroom’s equipped with a sunken bathtub and separate shower area. Toiletries are all by Forest Essentials, with far more amenities in the kit than I strictly needed (but adored) – including perfume, all sorts of lotions, foot soaks, and more. They also do customised welcome kits (I felt thrilled at the prospect of eating my face off of some digitally printed chocolate) plus generous bowls of fresh fruit and other complimentary desserts.
The property comes with two main restaurants – Paranda (North Indian) and Golden Dragon (Chinese) – plus a coffeeshop called Vista (all-day dining, including breakfast), an ‘easy’ bar that overlooks the courtyard, the Promenade Lounge, and a lounge where buffets are served.
We lunched at Paranda. Every dish we tried was incredibly sumptuous and easily rivalled some of the best Indian restaurants in Delhi. Great butter chicken, excellent meat curry, delightful sabzis, all paired with flaky paranthas and mini kulchas. The sweet lassi’s out of this world.
We dined at Golden Dragon in the evening. The meal fell behind on the starters (the dimsum could’ve been better) but caught up on the mains. It's a no-nonsense, hearty Chinese menu that’s recognisable to any Delhi Punjabi, and deeply, deeply comforting food. You get what you see here.
Breakfast at Vista’s pretty standard fare – the same as most upscale hotels across India, though I’d say that the Indian spread gets equal weightage here. Don’t expect fancy cold cuts or pork items.
Besides the gorgeous infinity pool and spa (more on that in a minute), they also have a fully equipped gym, a pottery centre for kids (or adults) where they can make a small memento, a game room, and a playroom for kids. You’d have guessed by now that this is a pretty family-friendly place.
The J Wellness Circle spa’s been recently renovated, and feels slick, top-notch, and very inviting. Therapies range from 60 to 240 (!) minutes, and are all inspired by ancient Indian techniques. I must say I was very impressed by the spa rooms, which come with lofty ceilings, ornate marble work, a large bed, and a very fancy jacuzzi, plus a shower area. You’d be a fool to come here and give the spa a miss.
Besides massages and scrubs, the wellness centre also offers yoga sessions, plus most salon services.
Honestly? Pretty isolated and unexciting (unless you maybe want to check out the nearby Tughlaqabad Fort or happen to be in the area during the very exciting Surajkund Festival). But by no means is this a launchpad to Delhi’s raucous party neighbourhoods.
Closest transport: The Surajkund or Sarai metro stations, but we recommend getting your car or taking a cab
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