On the banks of the sacred river Yamuna, surrounded by the hills and fertile valleys of India, under the hot tropical sun lies the eleven millionth Delhi - the capital of seven empires, a mecca for tourists and fans of the history of the ancient east. The huge, contrasting and mysterious city has long attracted foreigners with its richest heritage and thousands of mysteries that it keeps. Millions of travelers visit the ancient capital every year. Many come back here many times and, although the city is open and hospitable, the question of where to stay in Delhi should be treated with great attention - local ideas about comfort do not always coincide with European ones.
Hotels in Delhi
Like all tourist centers, Delhi has thousands of places to stay overnight. On its streets, large five-star complexes and small dilapidated hotels coexist, offering apartments and rooms for every taste and budget.
However, the division into stars, as elsewhere in Asia, is rather arbitrary here and a room in a 5 * hotel does not at all mean royal apartments. The only way to be guaranteed to stay in a good hotel with high-quality conditions and service is to get acquainted with local establishments in advance, thoroughly studying reviews, including unflattering ones. Or book a room in international chain hotels, where European quality is guaranteed.
Despite the generally low rates in hotels, the pleasure of living in high-quality conditions here is more expensive, in other words, for what is considered the norm in Europe and is present by default, you will have to overpay here. Pools, good restaurants, spacious rooms with new furniture, even hot water and clean linen are not always present in hotels and it is better to check the availability of certain options in advance.
However, if minor inconveniences do not bother you and you are looking for a cheaper place to stay in Delhi, you can stay in an inexpensive hotel or guest house, of which there are countless numbers in the city. You can find them right upon arrival, walking the streets and moving from one institution to another. Do not hesitate to compare and do not rush to check into the first guest house that comes across, as conditions can be very different, even for the same price.
Hotel Features
Many Delhi hotels, especially in the old part of the city, are located in old mansions, fortresses, palaces, etc. This does not mean that you will be accommodated in the royal chambers, on the contrary, the atmosphere in them is usually modest and even meager, but in accordance with local traditions and flavor. And the lack of service is compensated by the realization that you are spending the night in the chambers of an Indian maharaja, his wife or nobleman.
Hot water is a sore subject for Delhi. In many cheap hotels and guest houses, it is either not there at all, or it is served according to a certain schedule, most often in the morning. Given the local super-hot climate, this can be a real problem and darken your vacation, but if a cold shower in the evenings does not bother you, living in such an institution can significantly save costs.
Most establishments offer food in the form of breakfast, although in cheap hotels it is not worth counting on it, and there is no need for it - unsanitary conditions plus the peculiarities of Indian cuisine do not have the best effect on digestion. Prudent and experienced tourists choose hotels without meals, and eat in cafes and restaurants with their chosen cuisine. There are thousands of catering establishments in Delhi, where you can find European, Asian and any other menu for little money.
Where to stay in Delhi
When choosing a hotel, the area is of fundamental importance. Many areas of Delhi are simply not intended for tourists, others are located too far from the main monuments. Since the lion's share of guests come to Delhi for the sake of the famous masterpieces of historical heritage, it is worth settling in the area of the Old City and neighboring quarters. There is a good selection of hotels, and the most luxurious, comfortable establishments and hotels of international chains are concentrated in the center and in New Delhi.
Best suited for living:
- Old city.
- New Delhi.
- South Delhi.
- Connaught Place.
- House Khas.
- Paharganj.
Old city
Good old Delhi, as the ancient inhabitants of the country knew it, 90 percent consisting of architectural monuments of all eras. The city went through the glory of the Mughal Empire, remembers the times of Buddhism, survived the English colonization and other vicissitudes, and many monuments remained from each period.
Mosques, palaces, forts, fortresses, mausoleums, parks and gardens, temples, tombs - all this is located here. If you come on a sightseeing vacation, then the question of where to stay in Delhi simply should not arise - here and here again.
Old Delhi is adorned with the mighty walls of the Red Fort, the graceful outlines of the black mosque Kalan Masjid, and there is also the lesser-known Blue Mosque, hidden in narrow alleys. There is also the tomb of the only woman-sultana Razi, gurdwara Sisganj Sahib - in honor of the ninth Sikh guru, executed by the Mughal emperor. The Kashmir Gate, Silver Market, Lal Qilu Fortress and hundreds of other attractions are kept by the Old City.
The abundance of historical monuments is overshadowed by the general state of the area - it is rather dirty, overcrowded with people, many of whom are not indifferent to tourists - annoying traders, taxi drivers who want to help and give advice (of course, not for free), reckless drivers and thieves spoil the overall impression a little, but this is not critical.
Hotels: All iz Well, City Star, Delhi 55, Comfort Inn The President, India International Deluxe, Sita International, Aura, Hari Piorko, Sarans Heritage, Bless Inn, Arina Inn, Hotel Broadway, The Sunder, Stay Well Dx, Yuvraj Deluxe, Maidens.
New Delhi
The capital of India, its business and commercial heart. The area is much more comfortable and clean, as close as possible to European standards. Instead of crooked streets and labyrinths, there are wide avenues, many parks, gardens and squares, wide squares with fountains and cafes, an abundance of restaurants and shops, shopping centers and luxury hotel complexes, skyscrapers and objects of modern architecture - everything for an excellent rest.
The choice of hotels is huge, so the problem of where to stay in Delhi is solved quickly and easily. An excellent option for those who do not want to part with civilization, but crave sightseeing adventures.
New Delhi is home to the famous Gateway of India, the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Lakshmi Narayan temple, the Lotus temple, the Jantar Mantar observatory, and there is no need to talk about expensive restaurants and boutiques, since many streets simply consist of shopping and entertainment points. Luxury hotels of international chains are located here by default.
Hotels: Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, The Imperial, Boribista Hostel, Optimum Baba Residency, Hotel Krishna, The Prime Balaji Deluxe, Lemon Tree Premier, The LaLiT, The Claridges, Palm D'OR, Taj Diplomatic Enclave, The Taj Mahal Hotel, The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa, Hotel Metro Tower, Holiday Inn New Delhi International Airport, Grand Venizia, TG Tashkent Hotel, Pablas International, The Park New Delhi, Sheraton New Delhi, Piccadily Hotel, Le Roi, The Leela Palace, Colonel's Retreat, Hotel Aiwan -e-Shahi, The Leela Ambience Convention, Hyatt Regency Delhi, Le Méridien, Hotel The Royal Plaza.
South Delhi
Officially, this part belongs to the Old Town, but is set aside in a separate area. Its streets are full of examples of Islamic and Buddhist architecture, which attracts tourists. The center of the Old Town can be reached by metro in 20-30 minutes. It is here that the Red Fort, Humayun's Mausoleum, Lodi Gardens with Bonsai Park inside, Safdarzhang's mausoleum, Sikandar Lodi's mausoleum are located.
Hotels where to stay in Delhi: Hyatt Regency Delhi, The Lodhi, Eros Hotel, Hide-In Rooms, Crowne Plaza Today, The Suryaa Hotel, Vivanta by Taj, Bed and Chaï, The Claridges, The Visaya, Bloomrooms, LaSagrita, Hotel Ark Of Avalon, The Ashtan Sarovar Portico, Hilton Garden, Rockland Inn, Justa Panchsheel Park, The Manor Hotel, Country Inn & Suites By Carlson.
House Khas
One of the districts located in New Delhi is especially loved by tourists for a huge number of boutiques, high-end restaurants and other bohemian establishments. A peculiar Arbat with Indian flavor. Living here is fun, exciting and not far from the main attractions, and who would have thought that just a couple of decades ago there was an ordinary village on this place, leading an unremarkable existence since the 13th century. Of the interesting objects, one can note the Deer Park and the mausoleum of Firoz-shah-Tughlak.
Hotels: Haveli Hauz Khas, Hotel Oscar, LetsBunk Poshtel, Jaypore House, Beefor homestay, The Lazy Patio, Casa Paradise.
Connaught Place
Business and shopping center, one of the districts of New Delhi. The number of boutiques, shopping malls and shops is beyond counting, so people come here for shopping and just gaze at the millions of goods beautifully arranged in the windows. If you do not know where to get rid of your surplus cash, they will be happy to help you here.
For tourists looking for where to stay in Delhi in a quality hotel and surrounded by all the entertainment benefits, Connaught Place will be an excellent solution.
Even if you happen to be here by chance, be sure to check out Palika Bazar - an underground shopping center where you can buy almost anything and for little money.
Hotels: Jukaso Inn Down Town, The Park New Delhi, The Claridges, Sunstar Residency, Palace Heights, Shangri-La's - Eros, FabHotel Check'In by Oran CP, Vintage Inn, The Corus, Aman Continental, Prem Sagar Guest House, Aiwan -e-Shahi, Broadway, New Delhi YMCA Tourist Hostel, Emarald, Palace Heights, Rupam, Jivitesh, Radisson Blu Marina, Treebo Citi International, Bright, Rams Inn, Alka Classic.
Paharganj
It is impossible to talk about the tourist areas of Delhi and get around this place. Located in the central part of the city, Paharganj has earned popularity for its many inexpensive hotels, guest houses and generally cheap places to stay in Delhi, eat or shop for souvenirs.
In pursuit of economy, one should prepare for the fact that it is noisy, dirty and the real Indian flavor is felt in full here - traffic jams, both car and pedestrian, rickshaws and cows scurrying along the street, merchants, street bazaars, dilapidated buildings and much other. But if you want to experience the real life of the country, there is no better place.
Hotels: The Prime Balaji Deluxe, Metro Plaza, Zostel Delhi, Bhartiya Guest House, Hotel Sai International, Hotel Milllennium 2000 DX, Su Shree Continental, Neha Inn, Hindustan- by Backpackers Heaven, Hotel Indo Continental, The Backpackers Hostel, Seven Seas Inn, Yes Please Guest House, Nirmal Mahal, Hotel Vintage Inn, Saffron Inn, Hotel Maharaja Continental, Shyam Guest House, Grand Godwin, Splash, Mozo Hostel, Smyle Inn, Hotel Unique International, Mahesh Guest House.
