India
The hotel has decent air-con rooms for a reasonable price (I got 50% off the ratecard so barter hard) - nothing special, but better than many. The reason I am recommending it is the staff, who were absolutely fantastic. I arrived in a bit of a state and they took care of me, and went far above and beyond the call of duty in trying to re-arrange my flight home. They could not have been more kind and that makes a big difference when you're travelling alone so I highly recommend this hotel (at least in the immediate future, presuming that the staff don't change!).
Pahar Ganj, on the left-hand side as you walk away from New Delhi station (about 100m down).
Inn at Delhi is a new luxury bed and breakfast in New Delhi.
We stayed there for three nights and absolutely loved the place. It is nestled in a place called Anand Niketan - right next to the embassy area. It is surrounded by three parks.
We loved it because:
- Rooms were larger than most accommodations which we have stayed in previous travels to Delhi. We import goods from India and therefore travel frequently.
- Surrounded by parks - good to de-stress after a day's work in chaotic Delhi.
- Excellent breakfast
www.innatdelhi.com
C-34 Anand Niketan
NEW DELHI 110 021, India
Tel: 0091-11-24113234,
Fax : 0091-11-24113233
Email : innatdelhi@yahoo.co.in
The best place for cheap budget hotel and good food at budget price. Not far away from the center of Delhi.
It is a road near the railway station.
Very famous for backpackers.
Not in Lonely Planet (why?).
Cheap, very safe (staffed reception and safe boxes), clean with hot water 24/7 hotel in downtown Delhi.
Check out the eaterie opposite the hotel for a veg Thali for less than a pound.
Only hassle is taxi drivers may be reluctant to come to the Main Bazaar, Pahar Gange (very narrow and crowded streets). Make sure you tell them that it's in PG and print off the map for directions - the last three times I have been to PG the taxi driver managed to get lost...).
In Delhi we stayed at the Hotel Kashish which was excellent. This was in the middle of Paharganj within easy reach of the metro, New Delhi train station, a variety of restaurants and all the atmosphere of a bazaar that you could want.
We paid R1000 for a double room, ensuite with air conditioning. I am sure we could have found somewhere similar a little cheaper but it was down a side street and slightly less hectic, which helped with overcoming the culture shock.
Hotel Kashish
Laxmi Narain Street
Near Imperial Cinema
Pahar Ganj, New Delhi – 110055
41000359
hotelkashishinternational@hotmail.com
House of Kapaali, is the most exquisite B&B. Quite apparently, being a first time visitor to Delhi or India as a matter of fact, I was nervous. But, my doubts were dispelled here, meeting the family that runs this place. They have not only done it up so tastefully, but the food is FANTASTIC. They are so very helpful with sight seeing suggestions, basically it's a one stop for all you would need in Delhi. I recommend it highly!!!
G-9, BETA II, Greater Noida 201308, UP, India
Tel: +91 98105 98009
Contact Mansi at houseofkapaali@gmail.com
Majnu-ka-Tila is a quiet, relaxing little area in north Delhi totally at odd with the rest of the city. It's quiet, nearly clean and relaxing.
There are several cheap clean guest houses, like the Snowlion. The buses to Dharamasala leave from here.
There is a problem- the local council are attempting to demolish this little Tibet, so I'm not sure if it'll be there when you arrive.
Should only cost 120 R for a rikshaw from the center of town.
We were met as planned at Delhi airport by Maya – one of our hosts – smiling brightly and welcoming us to Delhi.
A short taxi ride later (once Maya finally found our taxi, but that’s another story) we met our other host Betu. Together they run the guesthouse which to the eye is small, modest and comfortable. But Maya and Betu make it so much more than that with their help, advice, good food, ginger tea and warmth.
They arranged taxis for us, helped us to work out what to see and do in Delhi, answered our questions about India and made us laugh until our sides hurt.
In addition to the guesthouse they run a voluntary organization which provides a helpline, counselling and support to women across India who are questioning their sexuality or identify as lesbian. If you consider the usual issues faced by any woman coming out and add to them the cultural expectations faced by women in India you can imagine how important this work is.
Unfortunately it is not currently funded and so by staying at Naari guesthouse you are contributing towards the running costs. Another good reason to visit!
950 INR (approx 11 pounds) per person gets you and en-suite A/C room.
Tel: 0091 – 11 – 26138316 or 26899262
www.sanginii.org
The contact email of Naari is
(naari_india@hotmail.com)
I stayed here for 6 weeks and it is fab. I think this is the only private women-only guesthouse in Delhi and it is safe accommodation for women traveling solo or in groups in Delhi. Home-cooked Indian meals, own bathroom, laundry and airport transfers mean a hassle free and safe way to begin your trip.
The airport pick up service is great as entering Delhi airport arrivals on your own is an experience!
naari_india@hotmail.com
Hot, noisy, heaving with people - go about it the wrong way, and Delhi can be hell. Go about it the right way, and you'll find yourself staying in one of the most restful, charming guest houses in India. Gorgeously decorated and improbably cheap, it boasts comfortable beds, spotlessly clean bathrooms, home-cooked meals should you want them, and a blissfully cool roof terrace overhung with climbing plants. The owners, Avnish and Urvashi, go out of their way to make your stay as pleasant as possible - they'll book you taxis to and from the airport, and Avnish runs fascinating off-the-beaten-track tours of 'Hidden Delhi' every Saturday. All this, and it's just a 10-minute walk from Connaught Place. Can't recommend it highly enough.
R-500, New Rajinder Nagar 110060; www.master-guesthouse.com/
Originally called Connaught Place, this is the centre of New Delhi. You find everything here - big shops, restaurants, art galleries, hotels and craft emporiums. More importantly, if you go to the lanes behind the main circle, you will find very good eating places. Now, with the Metro Station in the centre, you can go to the far flung parts of Delhi as well.
Underground Station of Connaught Place / Rajiv Chowk
The Oberoi nestles next to Delhi's golf course and its threesixty restaurant, serving everything from sushi to pizza, is a hang out for the rich and powerful. Rooms start from US $250 a day plus taxes for a luxuriously basic room to $1,800 for the top-end suite.
Dr Zakir Hussain Marg; Tel: 011 2436 3030; www.oberoidelhi.com/
Located in Majnu Ka Tilla or Tibetan colony, a maze of narrow alleys filled with stalls selling Chinese and Tibetan gifts and goodies. Clean rooms with air-conditioning begin at Rs 415. There’s a rooftop terrace to chill out on.
15A New Tibetan Colony, Majnu Ka Tilla; Tel: 011 2381 6689
Delhi’s first boutique hotel still could make the pages of Wallpaper magazine. Italian-Indo fusion furniture offset with rich wood panelling and Japanese flower arrangements make this retreat worth the $175 per day bill for two.
77 Friends Colony, New Delhi; Tel: 011 2692 5151; www.themanordelhi.com/
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