We spent 2 days in Delhi in the high tourist season of February, on our way to Rajasthan. After failing to find a hotel in Delhi within our budget (all seemed to be either extremely expensive, or so cheap it was scary), we checked into Bed & Breakfast possibilities, and ended up choosing the BnB New Delhi on the basis of its good reviews. We also were very happy with this choice. The Bansal family are lovely, very kind and helpful, and never intrusive. We greatly enjoyed talking to them and learning about life in New Delhi, which we would not have been able to do in an impersonal hotel. The breakfasts we ate there were delicious. In addition, we could sit out in the lovely, quiet garden and relax, which is necessary after venturing out into the streets of this hectic city.

Our room was in a separate section of the family house, and we had our own door so that we could go in and out without bothering anyone. We had 2 adults and 2 children (sleeping in an opened-out sofa-bed) in our room (its maximum capacity), and as the weather was a bit cool we could have used a couple more blankets; we asked for some, but they were rather thin. This is the only minor complaint I have. The room, though slightly down-at-heel for the price ($140/night for 4 people incl. breakfast), was clean and had a small refrigerator, the main bed was quite comfortable, and bottles of water were supplied every day.

A great plus is that this is a very quiet place to stay, as it is in a quiet residential neighborhood.

Initially we were worried because the location seemed rather far from Connaught Circle and Old Delhi and other sites we wanted to visit, but in fact this was not a problem at all: whenever we needed to go somewhere, Mr. Bansal could get a car and driver for us almost immediately; this was not expensive and was by far the best way to get around Delhi and see as much as possible in the short 2 days we spent there.

If we went back to Delhi we would most likely try to stay at BnB again. We have very pleasant memories of our stay there.

First the good -
Ajay made us feel very welcome after a long flight, the room was clean, and both he and his son were very helpful. The place is in a nice part of town, out from the major hustle and bustle (good if thats what you want and need a good nights sleep).

The Bad -
his 'driver' is an opportunistic conman. After a long tiring flight, the last thing you want to hear after just arriving is "my Tip, My Tip" - 500 rupees! just for a transfer from the airport - (which I had already paid for). Add to this 200 rupee parking charges every time you get out of the car and additional tips every time you use the car. The problem with being reasonably far out of Delhi is that using this guy does admittedly make things easier, but this did leave a sour taste.

Hey folks have you ever had it ....you no.....Delhi belly....believe it was ruff....the cramps....the [----]....delhi belly.....then a miracle...i got saved it was like light had decended from heavan....they came they offered they saved...ME....beautiful family run apartment...
wonderful life saving food by a real woman fit for a king....hey folks sometimes it is better to take care of oneself while travelling around india so i strongly advise you my fellow travellers treat your self like kings and queens for a moment without killing your budget...you can find it all here.....mmmm i feel so sad to leave....whos gonna care for me now......byyyyyyeeeee...
Richard

Dearest Ajay, Purnima, Ashu and Kokila...

Oh my God, there are so many things I would like to say to you!

THANK YOU are the first words... and then, I MISS YOU!

I came to India for 3 months (for a business programme for young graduates). I was nervous. It was the first time I was going to travel so far, alone, and for so long a period. Even before coming to India, we exchanged emails. You were so kind that all my fears disappeared! Ashu saw to it that I got an Indian mobile number when I arrived, Ajay booked a taxi to pick me up at the airport,...

I stayed 6 weeks in Delhi in your warm family before going to other cities. Those 6 weeks have been the best of all my life! We shared so many things! You really considered me as a member of your family. And this was not just because I was there for a long time: during my stay I saw YOU TREATED ALL YOUR GUESTS WITH THE SAME HOSPITALITY. You really cared for all of us. Even people who came for one or two nights were enjoying the same warm welcome and helpfulness. I remember Purnima who was always cooking DELICIOUS meals (and what a diversity of dishes!), Ajay who was booking the taxis/cars or giving advice about the best places to visit, Ashu who was always ready to help if I had a problem with my laptop (how patient he was! Because I'm not always easy when it goes to technology :-)!), Kokila who made me discover the Indian education system... And then all those dinners together when we talked about India, Hindouism, spirituality, your travels abroad,... There was really an enchanted, intimate atmosphere in the air! Purnima helped me to buy a sari, showed me how to cook (and I learned her how to make Belgian pancakes :-)); I went to the cinema with Ashu; Ajay and Ashu went with me to the railway station to help me reserve my train tickets and those of one of your future guests,... You cheered me up when I wasn't feeling good. We celebrated together the birthday of a friend of mine who happened to be in Delhi for a few weeks too (I had adviced him to come to your B&B and he also fell in love with all of you!) You even invited me to a marriage in your family. We talked to my parents, my brother and my sister in Brussels thanks to Skype (and I witnessed that you also called some of your former guests thanks to the Internet), and so on, and so on!

Well, I have to stop here (you did so many things for me and for all your guests that I cannot mention everything)! But so, to put it shortly, you made me feel at home. It was so hard to say you goodbye, leave you to go to Mumbai! You have become my second mother, father, sister and brother! I'm so happy I'll come back to Delhi in a few weeks... even if it's just for two days, I cannot wait for seeing you again before taking my plane back to Belgium! I've already been missing you so much in Ahmedabad and Mumbai! It was depressing to be in those bad hotels... and the family where I'm staying here in Mumbai is not really friendly... They just consider me as somebody who pays them for a room, nothing else... With you, that was totally different! Thanks for you messages and phone calls to make sure I'm okay far away from you!

See you very soon!

Love,

Laura (from Belgium)