Where to Stay in Delhi (2026): Best Areas & Hotels for Every Budget

Delhi is a huge city and where you stay matters. Not only in terms of being close to the attractions, but also in terms of safety and even air quality.

As a tourist, the best areas of Delhi to stay in are South Delhi and Central Delhi (below Connaught Place). These are more affluent areas, where most expats live and are well located for exploring the city.

I lived in Delhi for several years, and still return each year for months. I know Delhi very well, and will give you honest feedback about the best areas and properties to stay at.

Where Not to Stay in Delhi

Do not stay in Old Delhi or Paharganj. It’s honestly shocking to me how many people recommend hotels in these two areas. These are the most congested parts of the city, and not very safe either.

Old Delhi is hugely important from a historic perspective, and you absolutely should visit, but don’t stay there. And trust me, once you visit it, you’ll be glad you’re not staying there.

Paharganj on the other hand is the backpacker area – dirty, noisy and so crowded. It’s popular because of the cheap hotels, but I’m going to give you much safer and better budget options.

Where to Stay in Delhi: Best Areas & Hotels for Every Budget

South and Central Delhi (below Connaught Place) are the best areas to stay in. This includes New Delhi. These areas are greener, safer, more affluent, and well serviced by the Delhi metro.

Best Luxury Hotels in Delhi

These are the best 5 star luxury hotels in South and Central Delhi for tourists. They all have excellent amenities and are well located for exploring the city:

• The Imperial: Luxurious heritage hotel, located in the commercial centre of Connaught Place (but on the quieter end of it). This is a very walkable area, with many shops, restaurants and sites just minutes away. Ideal for first time visitors. The pool is stunning, there’s art everywhere and a fantastic high tea buffet. My favourite hotel in Delhi. From $300 USD.

• Taj Mahal, New Delhi: I prefer this hotel to the Taj Palace, New Delhi. It’s a nicer property and was refurbished a few years ago. Located in the greenest part of New Delhi, Lutyens’ Delhi, the area is quieter and nice for walking. Excellent location to explore Delhi from. Odd numbered rooms have views of parliament and Delhi’s greenery. From $270 USD.

• Leela Palace New Delhi: Exquisite hotel rooted in Indian culture and luxury. Service, amenities, food – everything is excellent. It’s located in the Diplomatic Enclave of New Delhi and is an ideal base to explore from. I’ve visited this hotel several times and stayed at other Leela properties. Leela always delivers an exceptional experience. From $260 USD.

• Shangri-La Eros New Delhi: Located in the Diplomatic Enclave in the greenest part of New Delhi, close to many sites. It’s an elegant, contemporary hotel well known for fantastic food options. I stayed here on my first trip to Delhi and loved the vast buffet breakfast and amenities. They’ve got one of the best spas in the city. From $200 USD.

• Maidens Hotel: Lovely heritage hotel that is not as fancy as the Imperial Hotel, but more intimate and has lots of colonial charm. I’ve stayed here too and enjoyed it, especially the outdoor breakfast terrace. The location is good for exploring Old Delhi, but a little further from the other main sites. The Civil Lines metro station is a 5 minute walk up the street, so it’s still convenient. From $180 USD.

Best Mid-Range Hotels in Delhi

These hotels don’t have pools or multiple restaurants and bars, but they are all clean, comfortable and very well located for exploring Delhi.

• Radisson Blu Marina Connaught Place: The largest of these mid-range hotels. The property is older, but refurbished. The location is very central and busy, the inner circle of Connaught Place, but it does quiet down at night. Numerous restaurants and shops, art galleries, movie theatres and a local bazaar are at the doorstep. From $160 USD.

• Bloomrooms @ Janpath: Comfortable minimalist hotel in excellent area of Connaught Place. It is just around the corner from the Imperial Hotel, on a quieter street, and you can walk to all kinds of restaurants, shops and many sites from here. Excellent location at a decent price. From $120 USD.

• Bnineteen: One of Delhi’s best boutique hotels. Located in a lovely residential enclave of South Delhi, next door to Humayun’s Tomb. Some rooms have views of the tomb. You will hear trains from the nearby train station, but other than that the location is great – right in the most historic part of South Delhi. From $110 USD.

• Hotel Palace Heights: I stayed here on my second trip to India, and the location was perfect. It’s in the centre of Connaught Place, within a short walk of all amenities and the Delhi metro. I prefer this to the Raddison Blu Marina. It’s smaller and doesn’t have as many amenities, but it’s very clean and has more character. They have a terrific Indian restaurant, Zaffran. From $80 USD.

Best Budget Hotels in Delhi

There’s no shortage of budget places to stay in Delhi, but it’s important to choose one in a good neighbourhood – that’s really important in Delhi. These are some of the best budget places to stay that are in good areas.

• Colonel’s Retreat: This is more of a large guest house, but they have the same amenities as a hotel plus a great rooftop restaurant. It’s located in one of the best residential neighbourhoods in South Delhi, Defence Colony. Located near a fantastic market with lots of restaurants and the metro. From $75 USD (breakfast included).

• Home@F37: Small hotel on the main road of Greater Kailash in South Delhi. Very close to a good market with loads of restaurants and amenities. Very close to the metro, but the location is central. You might not need the metro at all. Rooms are on the larger size. Lots of my readers have stayed here and liked it. From $55 USD (breakfast included).

• YWCA International Guest House: Amazing location in Connaught Place, close to many 5 star hotels. The hotel is no-frills, but rooms are among the largest I have seen in Delhi, clean and have AC and ensuite bathrooms. It’s absolutely the best deal in this area, which is one of the most exclusive in Delhi. From $37 USD (breakfast included).

• Bed & Chai Guesthouse: Small hotel that used to have high standards, but changed ownership a few years ago and is not as good. However, if budget is important the price is great, and the area is a million times better (and safer) than the backpacker area of Paharganj. Located in Greater Kailash, South Delhi. From $27 USD.

Best Guest Houses in Delhi

Guest houses are a really good option if you want to stay somewhere more budget friendly in Delhi. They are often in quieter, residential neighbourhoods, include breakfast and are more intimate than hotels.

These are four of the best guest houses in Delhi where I recommend visitors stay. They all have ensuite bathrooms.

• CP Villa Bed & Breakfast: Small bed and breakfast with 4 guest rooms. Fantastic location in a quaint residential enclave near Connaught Place, close to attractions, numerous restaurants and the Delhi metro. Rooms are simple but clean and comfortable with ensuites and private patios. From $80 USD.

• Prakash Kutir Bed & Breakfast: One of Delhi’s most popular guest houses (so book early). I’ve stayed here several times myself. It’s family run, spotless, and very well located in South Delhi’s Hauz Khas neighbourhood, close to a market, the metro and near sites. From $65 USD (breakfast included).

• Zaza Stay: An upscale guest house with 6 stylish rooms, most have private balconies. It’s in a quiet part of Nizamuddin West in South Delhi, very near some of Delhi’s most important historic sites. Rooms are comfortable with ensuites and a private sitting area. From $60 USD (breakfast included).

• Indee Home: A highly regarded guest house located in upscale Greater Kailash II in South Delhi. Wonderful location for exploring Delhi, and within walking distance of the GK II M Block Market, a great dining and shopping spot. From $40 USD.

Best Hostels in Delhi

These two hostels are located in South East Delhi. You’ll need an Uber or the metro to reach the sites, but this area is far better than the backpacker area of Paharganj (and safer).

• Hosteller Delhi: Popular hostel located within walking distance of the metro. I liked this hostel a lot – it has a friendly atmosphere, an onsite cafe and regularly hosts events for guests. There’s private or shared rooms, a common kitchen and wifi. Pets are welcome in the private rooms. From $10 USD.

• Moustache Delhi: Another popular hostel in South East Delhi. It’s a 10 minute walk to the metro station. They have a variety of dorm and private rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Lots of common areas, free wifi and a rooftop terrace. It looked very clean and staff were friendly. From $10 USD.

Should You Stay by the Airport?

The airport is a bit outside of Delhi, and it can take an hour or more to get into Central or South Delhi where most of the sites are. The metro is faster, but it still takes time.

There’s also not a lot of range of hotels near the airport. Either they are 5 star properties in Aerocity, or budget hotels in the less desirable areas near the airport.

If you want to be close to the airport but near the sites and attractions of Delhi, Jaypee Vasant Continental Hotel is a good option. This is also a great hotel for solo women.

Best Delhi Airport Hotels – Aerocity

Aerocity is perfect for anyone on a layover in Delhi. It’s beside the airport, and you can be at the terminals in minutes.

Plus, Aerocity is a haven of better hotels, restaurants and shops all in a walkable and easy to navigate setting.

It was built with international travellers in mind, but it’s become a hot spot for Delhiites because of its numerous dining and night life options.

There’s a metro station right there, so you can easily get into Delhi to sightsee.

Best Hotels for Women in Delhi

Many Delhi hotels have special rooms and dedicated floors for solo female travellers, often referred to as ‘Eva’ rooms. These rooms offer special amenities and services, like extra security, unique toiletries, all female staff and a female escort for airport pick-ups.

So far, it’s just the high end hotels in Delhi that offer this. Here are the best:

What if You Can’t Afford a Luxury Hotel with Female Only Floors?

Location is everything. In Delhi, that means a better South Delhi neighbourhood that has high foot traffic, with amenities and transportation close by.

Connaught Place (inner circle) and Hauz Khas Village are good choices. Both are walkable areas with loads of shopping and restaurant options.

Connaught Place is more commercial, but very central and much closer to the metro. It’s very easy to navigate this area, and there’s always lots of people out and about.

Hauz Khas Village is an urban village. It is more boho with windy lanes. On the weekends it’s a party place, but there’s lots of cafes, quirky shops and it has character. It’s also home to the spectacular Hauz Khas Complex.

I don’t think Delhi is much more unsafe than anywhere else in the world, but you can get some good tips here: how to keep safe in Delhi.

Best Hotels in Delhi for Families

South or Central Delhi are the best parts of the city to stay at with children. These are nicer, safer and greener areas of Delhi. and many kid friendly attractions and sites are close by.

Best Pet Friendly Delhi Hotels

Although these hotels currently allow pets, I recommend contacting reservations to confirm the pet policy has not changed. Most hotels charge a fee for checking in with a dog or cat.

If you are travelling to Delhi with a dog, you might want to read my article about where to go with your dog in Delhi.

A quiet room, away from high traffic areas and unfamiliar noises will help put your pet at ease in strange surroundings.

India’s Hotel Aggregators: OYO Hotels, Fabhotels & Treebo

These are all budget hotel brands/aggregators that you will likely come across while searching for accommodation.

Although each brand is supposed to deliver a uniform level of service at their hotels, quality and amenities can vary greatly. Check reviews carefully.

Airbnbs in Delhi

Airbnbs are a great option for a longer stay in Delhi. Before moving to Delhi I often rented an Airbnb with my dog. It was much more convenient for extended stays.

South Delhi is the best part of the city to stay in an Airbnb. The nicest neighbourhoods are in South Delhi, it’s well connected by metro, and many of the attractions and markets are there.

Areas like Greater Kailash I, Hauz Khas, Defence Colony, Lodhi Colony, Safdarjung, Jorbagh, Nizamuddin East, Chanakyapuri, South Extension, Moti Bagh, Anand Niketen, Shanti Niketen and Vasant Vihar are all great places to stay in Delhi.

My favourite area to stay in is Green Park (part of Hauz Khas). It’s a very quiet and leafy residential enclave. Before I discovered Green Park, I often stayed in Hauz Khas Village which is also excellent, but more lively than Green Park (especially at night).

I’ve rented this Airbnb in Hauz Khas Village in Delhi: Sunbeam@Hauz Khas Village.

Tips for Staying at an Airbnb in Delhi

• Make sure there is a RO water filtration system, or the host provides ample drinking water. Tap water is not safe to drink in Delhi.
• Heaters and air purifiers are a must in winter (December and January). Delhi gets cold, and the air pollution is terrible at this time.
• AC is a must in summer (May – September).
• Confirm the bathroom has a water geyser for hot water.
• Find out which neighbourhood gate is open after dark, and where it is. Residential enclaves in Delhi are gated.

FAQs on Where to Stay in Delhi: Best Areas & Hotels

These are frequently asked questions regarding where to stay in Delhi:

Last Words on Where to Stay in Delhi: Best Areas & Hotels for Every Budget

In Delhi, where you stay is very important. Not only to be close to the monuments and sites, but in terms of safety and air quality. South Delhi is the best area to stay in, with Lutyens’ Delhi and the Diplomatic Enclave being the greenest and most exclusive areas.

When it comes to budget accommodation, Delhi is not the kind of city you want to book the cheapest room in. It’s more important to find a budget friendly room in a good area, and I’ve given you some good options.

Also Recommended

• Luxury 5 Star Hotels in Delhi (2026) – the Very Best
• The Nicest and Most Affordable Mid-range Hotels in Delhi 2026
• Best Budget Stays in Delhi for Tourists
• Beautiful Heritage Hotels in Delhi for a Memorable Stay (2026)
• Best Hotels in Connaught Place, Delhi 2026
• How to Get From Indira Gandhi International Airport into Delhi
• First Time in Delhi: Complete Guide and Itineraries for Delhi

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