Looking for a hotel? Patel Nagar vs Karol Bagh

Just landed in India? At the Delhi airport or Railway Station ? Looking for a decent hotel in Delhi? Just say the words “cheap hotel ?” to just about anyone and sure shot you will hear the answer “Karol Bagh”. And these will be not just touts but the common man who will immediately guide you there. So what is it about Karol Bagh? Well, its home to about 500 hotels all within a couple of kilometers radius ! It’s also a huge commercial area, said to be Asia’s largest retail market. It’s also the city center of Delhi and a major business hub. Having said that, why is it so mandatory to head for a hotel here – just because everyone doing it ? No, not really. There is the equally busy, equally central, equally commercial and upcoming area of Patel Nagar with its range of fairly new, classy elegant luxury budget hotels – right bang on one of the major roads of Delhi city, second only to the national highway - the famous Pusa Road and its extension. Patel Nagar is barely a couple of kilometers away from Karol Bagh. Access to its hotels is so easy – one doesn’t have to take ‘that right turn followed by left then left then right’ etc which is so characteristic of budget hotels in Delhi - though the services provided by the latter are not bad at all, in fact quite efficient. If location is the thing with you and your family, then hotels in Patel Nagar and the Pusa road region in general are definitely to be looked into. They’re chic, brand new which means spotlessly clean, with a pleasing décor and attention given to detail and much more spacious as the area itself is less congested with hotels built on much larger sized properties in comparison to Karol Bagh. The rates are comparable, with perhaps only a very minor difference, amply made up for in space and easy access and mobility to and from the hotel. Pusa Road and its extension is wide and few kilometers long and shoots almost straight down to the major shopping and business hub of Delhi , Connaught Place on one side ; while on the other side it lands you straight at the doorstep of Delhi Airport . There are lots of interesting, small, yet clean and tasty eating joints around here, internet cafes, banks and ATM’s - all at a stones throw from the hotels. Auto-rickshaws, taxis, cycle rickshaws are a dime a dozen. The classy New Delhi Metro is a few minutes walk – there are 3 metro stations down this stretch.. Now for a most useful tip for visitors : book a hotel in Delhi in advance , the internet is an excellent guide right next to you at home. Spend a little time on homework before you arrive - to make sure you get the best out of your stay in one of the world’s most interesting city!