Hotel Grand Godwin

The Grand Godwin Hotel is a four-story hotel located on a main drag dominated by hotels that primarily serve transit passengers needing easy access to the nearby New Delhi Railway Station. It's also popular with international budget travelers willing to shell out a few extra rupees for a more polished alternative to the ramshackle guesthouses of the nearby backpacker enclave around Paharganj's main bazaar. The Grand Godwin sits next to the Hotel Godwin Deluxe -- its sister property -- and both look especially sleek compared with the crumbling and decrepit neighbor on their left. A lot of attention has been put into the lobby, which features a marble floor with a starburst pattern, dark marble accent columns and walls, an elevator, and a grand spiral staircase with golf-painted wrought-iron floral motifs supporting its wooden banister. There's also a coffeeshop off to one side, Brownie Cafe, with plush red seating and high ceilings with dark-wooden accents. All in all, this is one of the sharper options in the neighborhood, and a nice step up from what are often dingy and dark little hotels in the surrounding streets.

The Grand Godwin Hotel is located on Arakshan Road at the edge of the Paharganj neighborhood of New Delhi. The area is mostly known for its cheap flophouses aimed at international backpackers, though this particular strip is more popular with domestic travelers needing easy access to the nearby New Delhi Railway Station; the western entrance to the station is only an eight-minute walk from the hotel. Paharganj's main bazaar takes about the same amount of time to reach, and is full of backpacker-friendly eating joints, and numerous vendors selling cheap hippie clothes and costume jewelry. There are plenty of upmarket shops, restaurants, and cafes at nearby Connaught Place, a five- to 10-minute drive from the hotel. Old Delhi attractions such as the Red Fort and the busy market area of Chandni Chowk are also a 10-minute drive from the hotel, while it takes a bit longer to reach Old Delhi Railway Station due to consistently congested traffic in that area. Factor in about 15 minutes by car to India Gate, or 20 minutes to Humayun's Tomb. South Delhi attractions such as the Lotus Temple and Qutub Minar can take 30 to 45 minutes to reach depending on traffic. It's likewise at least 30 minutes by car to Indira Gandhi International Airport, though traffic at peak times means at least an hour should be budgeted. Alternatively, it will take about an hour by Airport Express train from the railway station, which is the closest metro station to the hotel. 

The Grand Godwin offers a variety of room types, from cramped Standard Rooms to roomier Studios. All share a similar style consisting of a mix of dark woods and white walls plus upholstered colorful chairs, bed runners, and throw pillows to add vibrant accents to the spaces. There's not much in the way of art, but wood paneling and details like large padded headboards give everything a clean and crisp look. All come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, electric kettles, minibars, panel-controlled central air-conditioning, and desks. Bathrooms are sleek and modern, especially for a hotel in this part of town (and at a mid-range price point), with small vessel sinks, wall-mounted hairdryers, marble floors and walls, and huge walk-in showers with wall-mounted toiletry dispensers. Some guests have noted noise from the road outside, so light sleepers may want to avoid rooms overlooking the road. 

The Grand Godwin doesn't offer a ton of features, though there is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, free parking for those who need it, and free airport transfers (one way) for guests booking directly through the hotel. There are also a couple of on-site dining options, including a rooftop restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and a ground-floor coffeeshop, Brownie Cafe. Breakfast is included in room rates, but reviews aren't great from previous guests. Room service is available around the clock and the front desk can help with travel arrangements, laundry service, and other concierge-style requests.