Where to Stay in New Delhi: Our Hotel Experiences from Budget to Luxury

Our trip to New Delhi was filled with unforgettable experiences, but not all of them went exactly according to plan.

We arrived in Delhi late at night, tired after our flight from Sri Lanka, expecting to check into the hotel we had booked in advance and finally get some much needed rest. Instead, we ended up facing an unexpected problem that left us standing on the streets of Delhi close to midnight, looking for somewhere to stay.

In the end, our Delhi trip took us to three different hotels, each offering a completely different experience. From an unexpected last-minute stay to a comfortable hotel in the heart of Connaught Place and finally a luxurious escape from the city's chaos, each stay became part of our travel story.

Looking back, the experience taught us a few important lessons about booking accommodation in a busy city like Delhi.

Before leaving Sri Lanka, we had already booked our first hotel in New Delhi because we knew we would be arriving around midnight.

We had even reconfirmed our booking shortly before leaving Bandaranaike International Airport. So, naturally, we felt confident that everything was arranged.

But when we finally arrived in Delhi and reached the hotel, we were shocked to discover that they were fully booked.

After a long flight, the last thing we wanted was to search for a hotel in an unfamiliar city at 11:30 PM.

But that's exactly what happened.

We found ourselves back on the streets of Delhi late at night, tired, disappointed, and trying to figure out where we could stay.

It was definitely not the welcome to Delhi we had imagined.

This experience taught us a lesson that I still remember whenever we travel.

If you're arriving late at night, don't rely only on an online booking confirmation.

Double-check your reservation before travelling.

If possible, contact the hotel directly by phone and confirm that they have your reservation and that a room will actually be available when you arrive.

It only takes a few minutes, but it can save you from a very stressful situation.

Thankfully, our difficult start eventually turned into something much better.

After our booking disaster, we started looking for another hotel.

That's when we found The Connaught, New Delhi, IHCL SeleQtions.

One phone call was enough to secure a room, and we immediately headed there.

After everything that had happened, simply knowing that we finally had somewhere safe and comfortable to sleep felt like a huge relief.

The hotel is located in Connaught Place, one of the most convenient areas for exploring central Delhi.

And after our exhausting journey, the hotel gave us exactly what we needed,  a comfortable place to rest and recover.

Our room was spacious, clean, and comfortable. After the stressful late-night experience, having a peaceful room to settle into felt wonderful.

We also enjoyed the view of the lively Connaught Place area, which gave us a glimpse of Delhi's energy even from the comfort of our room.

The food was another highlight of our stay.

The breakfast buffet offered plenty of choices, and Indian food was definitely my favourite.

There was also a lovely little café near the reception area that served fresh pastries, cakes, coffee, and chocolates. It was such a nice place to grab something sweet or enjoy a coffee.

One of the biggest advantages of staying here was the location.

Being in Connaught Place meant we were close to several attractions and shopping areas, including Connaught Place Market and Palika Bazaar.

For travellers who want to explore central Delhi, I found the location very convenient.

Although the hotel itself felt comfortable and safe, we were still cautious when walking around the surrounding streets.

Delhi can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors.

We avoided accepting unsolicited offers from tuk-tuk drivers or strangers and stayed alert when walking around busy tourist areas.

Our next hotel experience was at Hotel Singh Empire, located on D.B. Gupta Road in Paharganj.

This was a more budget-friendly option, and our experience here was quite different from The Connaught.

The hotel is located behind a busy street, surrounded by the lively atmosphere that Paharganj is known for.

For budget travellers, it can be an affordable option, but our experience was a little mixed.

When we first checked in, the room we were given wasn't quite up to the standard we expected.

Thankfully, the staff were helpful when we requested a room change, and they accommodated us.

The hotel had a simple and fairly basic atmosphere.

It wasn't the kind of place where we wanted to spend a lot of time relaxing, but it served its purpose as a budget accommodation option.

The breakfast was one of the better parts of our stay.

There was a reasonable selection available, while the other meals were mostly à la carte and felt more average.

Despite the initial room issue, the staff were friendly and accommodating.

They also helped us with planning some of our nearby visits, which we appreciated.

Paharganj can be extremely busy, particularly around the main streets.

If you're staying in this area, I recommend keeping your belongings close, staying aware of your surroundings, and being especially careful when walking around at night.

The area is lively and convenient for budget travellers, but it can feel overwhelming if you're not used to busy streets.

Our final hotel experience was completely different.

After experiencing both a last-minute hotel change and a budget stay, we eventually stayed at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi.

And this was where we experienced a completely different side of Delhi.

From the moment we walked into the hotel, it felt like we had stepped away from the noise and chaos of the city.

The atmosphere was calm, elegant, and luxurious.

There was calming music playing in the lobby, a beautiful scent in the air, and an overall sense of tranquillity.

Delhi can be loud, crowded, and energetic, so walking into such a peaceful environment felt wonderful.

It almost felt like a sanctuary away from the city.

The food was another major highlight.

The breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets offered an impressive variety of cuisines.

We enjoyed having so many choices, and after spending our days exploring Delhi, returning to the hotel for a good meal was something we genuinely looked forward to.

Our room was spacious and comfortable, and the balcony offered beautiful views of the surrounding area.

The bathroom was also immaculate, which added to the feeling of luxury.

Every little detail seemed designed to make the stay comfortable and relaxing.

After the busyness of Delhi, it was exactly the kind of place we needed.

Looking back at our three hotel experiences, each one served a different purpose.

The Connaught was probably the most convenient for exploring central Delhi. Its location, comfortable rooms, and food made it a great choice for sightseeing.

Hotel Singh Empire was a more affordable option. The experience wasn't perfect, but the helpful staff and reasonable breakfast made the stay manageable.

The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel was undoubtedly the most luxurious and relaxing of the three. If you're looking to splurge and want somewhere peaceful and comfortable after a busy day in Delhi, this would be our choice.

Our experience made me realize that choosing accommodation in Delhi isn't only about looking at photographs and comparing prices.

Location, arrival time, surrounding area, transportation, and hotel reliability all matter.

Most importantly, always confirm your booking if you're arriving late at night.

Having a backup hotel in mind is also a good idea, especially if you're travelling to a busy city for the first time.

And when moving around Delhi, we found it much better to use verified transportation services or trusted ride-hailing apps rather than accepting unsolicited rides from strangers.

Our Delhi hotel experience certainly didn't go according to our original plan.

We began our trip standing outside a fully booked hotel late at night, exhausted and wondering where we would sleep.

But somehow, that stressful beginning became part of our travel story.

We discovered a comfortable stay at The Connaught, experienced the busy and budget-friendly side of Paharganj at Hotel Singh Empire, and eventually enjoyed a peaceful and luxurious stay at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel.

Three hotels.

Three very different experiences.

And each one gave us a different perspective on travelling through Delhi.

If you're planning a trip to New Delhi, my biggest advice is simple: plan carefully, reconfirm your accommodation, keep a backup option, and stay aware of your surroundings.

Delhi can be chaotic, exciting, overwhelming, beautiful, and unforgettable all at the same time.

And sometimes, the unexpected moments are the ones that become the best travel stories. ❤️