Jyoti Mahal Guest House

We stayed here 4 nights the end of Feb. '08. There were 7 of us and we had a great stay. The staff is great starting with the Sikh brothers "Cheena". Bhola was working the desk and he was obviously very well trained in helping with traveler's needs. The rooms were big, with large, soft beds with great pillows. The shower had 24 hrs hot water with plenty of water pressure. There were beautiful Indian furnishings throughout the hotel that complemented the clean surroundings. Our room faced the front street and due to the way it was layed out was very quiet. The street wasn't very busy anyway. There is a restaurant on the roof that served very good food. Don't expect to get a quick meal there, but it is worth the wait. We were traveling with 4 Indians from Tamil Nadu and they were equally impressed. I realize pahar ganj has a bit of a "tainted" past, but we had no problems there, both in the day and late at night. We will be staying there on our next visit to Delhi.

Unique Quality: 24 hrs hot water, attached bathrooms, large soft beds with great pillows, 500 meters from Delhi Railway station, 500 meters from ramakrishna Metro station, TV, great service.

Directions: Behing the Imperial Cinema

We stayed here late Feb. '08 for 4 nights. We arrived late and were quickly registered and escorted to our rooms. We found the hotel to be quite acceptable. Our room faced the front street, but the way it was layed out, it was very quiet. There isn't much traffic on the steet anyway. The rooftop restaurant had great food, both local and some western items. The 2 Sikh brothers (Cheena) were very helpful and wonderful hosts. We will definately be staying there on future visits.

Unique Quality: 24 hrs hot water (with plenty of water pressure), large soft beds with great pillows, very clean, beautiful indian furnishings throughout hotel, 3 computers for internet access, great rooftop hotel with excellent food, "relatively" quiet location, 500 meters from the ramakrishna subway station, staff has obviously been trained in traveller's needs, very courteous.

Directions: Behind the Imperial Cinema

This may have been my most favourite room on this trip to India. First of all the hotel itself is a revelation in Paharganj where most of the hotels, even the better quality ones, are looking a bit tired. This place is newly constructed and was, according to staff, designed by an Australian woman that the owner knows. It is designed like a Rajasthani Haveli with a central courtyard with over-the-top fountain (complete with coloured lights under the water), carved balconies and screens.

Unique Quality: What really sold me - as well as the location on a relatively quiet street behind the Imperial Cinema in Paharganj - was the character, cleanliness and fittings of the rooms. Rooms were large and had lovely furniture and beautiful bed linens. The bathroom was gorgeous with a sink big enough to bathe a toddler in (not that I had one with me), a forceful shower with unending hot water and high quality tiling and design. Add to this the overall design of the hotel - which had personality which I found so lacking in other places - and it was an ideal stay. Of course it wasn't cheap - rooms started at 1,500 Rs but they were big and lovely. If you can afford it you might want to consider it.

Directions: behind the Imperial Cinema in Pahar Ganj