Time to renovate the great residences and enjoy the culture of old Delhi

If Venice, France, Britain and Rajasthan can convert their grand residences into palatial hotels, why shouldn’t we have one right in the middle of Chandni Chowk?

Few countries, anywhere in the world, can compete with India when it comes to the grandeur of our palaces. I’ve seen grand chateaux in the Loire in France and I’ve also seen great British country houses (such as Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey was shot). Few of them match up to our palaces. And certainly none of them has been turned into a hotel that can compare with our great Rajasthani palace hotels: the Rambagh, the Lake Palace and the Umaid Bhawan.

Makeover for the modern era: A facade of the restored Haveli Dharampura.

When in Venice... The palace of the Doge is fairly grand, but the most interesting buildings are the private homes.

Before and after images of the haveli.

Vijay Goel and his son Siddhanth (above) have painstakingly restored Haveli Dharampura to its original splendour in their bid to turn it into a grand hotel in the heart of Old Delhi. (Hindustan Times)