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Most mid-level accommodation is roughly in the area of Connaught Place – the central hub of Delhi, where New Delhi becomes Old Delhi – and nearby Karol Bagh; both are on subway lines. However where tourists are, tourists traps will follow – you will get hassled here more than anywhere else in Delhi. Staying in south Delhi not only allows you to stay in an interestingly named suburb – Greater Kailash, South Extension, Friends Colony, Hauz Khas – but also takes you away from touts, beggars and shoe polish scams, and closer to where middle class Delhiwallahs live and play.
Low and mid-range:
If you have a busy schedule planned for Delhi, you’ll be spending so little time at the hotel that minor flaws can be overlooked. Pick of the bunch in Karol Bagh are Florence Inn, Clark International or Sunstar Grand; for something smack bang in the middle of the Connaught Place action, Hotel Palace Heights is good value.
Few travellers choose to stay in the hub-ub of Old Delhi, but if you are a little bit adventurous then doing so has it rewards. Options in this area are limited – just scraping into the mid-range is Hotel Broadway, right on the fringe of the chaos between Old and New Delhi. Jumping well up in class from here is Oberoi’s The Maidens. Truly Raj era digs – for indulging the colonial in you.
Boutique:
Amarya Haveli, close to the shopping haven of Hauz Khas village, is much sought after; their use of colourful Indian fabrics and tranquil common spaces are reason enough to stay. B-19, in a wonderful location adjacent to the historic Humayun’s Tomb, has a stylish B & B charm that conventional Indian hotels find hard to match.
Also try The Manor, in Friends Colony – something of a cross between a boutique and a heritage hotel, set in delightfully spacious grounds and Ahuja Residency in Golf Links – it’s a very quiet area though still close to the action of Khan Market. Much further south is Thikana, a guest house where the family running the property also lives on site. This is an oasis of Indian hospitality – though with only 8 rooms, it’s always a battle to get one.
High end:
With The Taj, Oberoi and Le Meridien plus some Indian chain hotels such as the edgy boutique style of The Park, you have several 5 star options.
For the best of the best it’s hard to go past The Imperial, the grand dame of genuine heritage hotels – a museum, art gallery and 5 star hotel in one.
The latest entrant at the ultra high-end is Aman Resorts. The verdict is still out on their game changing rooms and suites, but their plunge pool in every room is a new concept for a city centre hotel.
