Must-see hotels in Delhi

  • Imperial

    New Delhi

    Classicism meets art deco at the Imperial, which dates from 1931 and was designed by FB Blomfield, an associate of Lutyens. Rooms have high ceilings,…

  • Haveli Dharampura

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    This is a beautiful restored haveli, full of Mughal atmosphere and centred on a courtyard. Rooms have grandiose polished-wood beds, but it's worth paying…

  • Diya Bed & Breakfast

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Like a serene South Delhi guesthouse, but on a Paharganj backstreet, this unique place has three lovely, well-cared-for rooms, a shared kitchen and a…

  • Lodhi

    Delhi

    The Lodhi is one of Delhi’s finest luxury hotels, with huge, lovely rooms and suites. Each room has a balcony, and the enormous deluxe rooms are the only…

  • Lutyens Bungalow

    Delhi

    A rambling bungalow with a colonial-era feel, surrounded by verandahs and hanging lamps, this family-run guesthouse has a wonderful garden, with lawns,…

  • GoStops

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    This is one of the best of Delhi's new breed of hostels, in an interesting location on the fringes of Old Delhi, with young, friendly staff, a brightly…

  • Backpacker Panda

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    A great alternative to Paharganj's less-than-fancy cheap hotels, Panda offers bright, clean dorms (one is female only) with attached bathrooms, charge…

  • Madpackers Hostel

    Delhi

    A friendly, relaxed hostel with a bright and airy sitting room that's one of the best places in town to hang out and meet like-minded travellers. It has…

  • Hotel Broadway

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Five-storey Hotel Broadway was Delhi’s first 'high-rise' when it opened in 1956, with single rooms going for ₹15. Today it's comfortable, charming, quirky…

  • Claridges

    New Delhi

    Fronted by manicured green lawns, elegant Claridges was built in 1952. Colonial era–styled rooms have all the comforts, and there are some excellent…

  • Bloom Rooms @ New Delhi

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Bloom Rooms' white-and-yellow, pared-down designer aesthetic is unlike anything else in this 'hood, and its IKEA-like rooms surround a pleasant interior…

  • Jugaad Hostel

    South Delhi

    There's an urban factory feel to this excellent hostel with wooden-crate bed frames and exposed brick walls. Dorms and private rooms all have en suites,…

  • Wongdhen House

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Clean, friendly and well cared for, this is a good-value Majnu-ka-Tilla option. Rooms are simple but homey, and there's a 4th-floor terrace with views…

  • Hotel Godwin Deluxe

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Run by the same owners as the OK, but less glitzy, Grand Godwin next door, Godwin Deluxe offers similarly good service, and comfortable, spacious, clean…

  • Zaza Stay

    Delhi

    Owned by a couple who have their own homewares brand, this guesthouse has beautifully decorated rooms with leafy outlooks and a lovely communal sitting…

  • Bed & Chai

    South Delhi

    For a quiet stay, this French-owned guesthouse has simple rooms, decorated with flashes of colour and some quirky, original design touches. There’s a…

  • Bnineteen

    Delhi

    Architect-owned, Bnineteen is a looker. Big contemporary rooms have large windows. Located in posh, peaceful Nizamuddin East, it has great views over…

  • Radisson Blu Marina

    New Delhi

    One of Connaught Place’s swisher choices, the Radisson feels pleasingly luxurious, with sleek, stylish, all-mod-cons rooms, the Great Kebab Factory…

  • Hotel Palace Heights

    New Delhi

    This small-scale boutique hotel offers some of busy Connaught Place’s nicest rooms, with gleaming white linen, and caramel and amber tones. There’s an…

  • ITC Maurya

    Delhi

    In the diplomatic enclave and surrounded by greenery, the ITC Maurya is a key five-star address – this is where Obama stayed when he was in town. Rooms…

  • Cinnamon Stays

    Delhi

    There's a warm welcome at this Gurgaon homestay run by husband-and-wife team Shilpi Singh and Manish Sinha, who have gone on to start their own travel…

  • Hotel Amax Inn

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    In a lane off chaotic Arakashan Rd, the Amax is a long-running traveller favourite, with clean, though occasionally stuffy, budget rooms. Staff are…

  • Harry’s Bed & Breakfast

    Delhi

    The unmistakable aromas of southern spices welcome you into this Tamil-owned B&B in a quiet corner of Gurgaon. Spacious, well-lit rooms have plush…

  • International Youth Hostel

    New Delhi

    The dormitories here are a great deal if you’re looking for somewhere quiet and cheap, especially considering rates include breakfast. Private rooms are…

  • Maidens Hotel

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Oberoi-owned Maidens is a grand heritage hotel dating from 1903 – a creamy neoclassical confection fronted by pea-green lawns. Lutyens stayed here while…

  • Trident

    Delhi

    A contemporary palace, with Mughal-style domes and reflection pools, this has huge rooms and all facilities, and offers good value compared with city…

  • Treetops

    South Delhi

    Motor-journalist-novelist-philosopher Murad and his hobby-chef wife Tannie have a gracious home. To stay here feels rather like visiting some upper-crust…

  • Colonel’s Retreat

    South Delhi

    Located in the quiet, tree-shaded lanes of Delhi's affluent Defence Colony district, this delightful guesthouse has marble staircases and floors leading…

  • Scarlette

    South Delhi

    In serene, leafy Safdarjung Enclave, and not far from Hauz Khas Village and the Deer Park, Scarlette is a maison d'hôtes (guesthouse) with four rooms,…

  • Jyoti Mahal Guesthouse

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    The service leaves a lot to be desired, but this old-style haveli hotel, tucked away in a lane around the back of Main Bazaar (so less noisy), is a cut…

  • Haveli Hauz Khas

    South Delhi

    Located in a leafy south Delhi neighbourhood, this family-run B&B is set in a spacious mansion with marble interior, verandahs, terraces and manicured…

  • Zostel

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Part of the Zostel chain, this place is shabbier than some of Delhi's other backpacker hostels. However, it's got the obligatory cheerful murals, the…

  • Hotel Relax

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Unusually well decorated for this area and this price range, Relax is housed in an old, but attractive, property with leafy balconies and halls and…

  • Lemon Tree Hotel

    Delhi

    With lemon trees on the front lawn, the scent of lemon in the lobby and a 24hr eatery called Citrus Cafe (what else?), this small business hotel makes an…

  • Hotel Rak International

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Hotel Rak International is off the Main Bazaar (so it's quieter) and overlooks a little square and temple. The modest rooms at this popular place are a…

  • Shanti Home

    Delhi

    Out in west Delhi, but just 500m from Uttam Nagar East metro station, this small boutique hotel offers beautifully decorated rooms that get gradually…

  • Hotel Namaskar

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Up the narrow alley called Chandi Wali Gali, this long-running traveller cheapo is run by two amiable brothers and offers a friendly welcome. It may be…

  • Prem Sagar Guest House

    New Delhi

    This is an old-school place, with 12 snug rooms that aren’t flash but are clean. You'll get better value elsewhere, but for Connaught Place this is about…

  • Hotel Hari Piorko

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    A bit more upmarket than other places on Main Bazaar, this is definitely a hotel rather than a guesthouse, and has well-turned-out, reasonably spacious,…

  • Hare Rama Guest House

    Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)

    Opposite Ajay Guest House, down the same alley off Main Bazaar, rooms here are clean, simple, tile-floored affairs that improve as you go up each floor,…