Hotel City Star

The three-pearl Hotel City Star appears deceivingly drab from the outside, although it looks a bit nicer than some of the properties around it. Once inside, though, it's all a pleasant surprise given the area, which is primarily packed with budget lodging. Travelers step into a small but elegant marble-clad lobby with polished black-and-cream floors; a mix of dark-brown and white walls allow the restrained choices in bright art to pop. White faux-leather sofas look sharp, and small potted plants add a bit of charm. Additional seating is found on a mezzanine level overlooking the lobby, where there are brown velveteen sofas and white, polished coffee tables. An elevator and a wide set of stairs connect to the upper-level floors. The hotel is popular with domestic and international tourists alike -- many of whom are passing through town via the nearby New Delhi Railway Station. It's a major step up from many of the divey backpacker digs packed into the surrounding streets and alleys. 

Hotel City Star is located on a main road in the Paharganj neighborhood of New Delhi, an area known for its cheap hotels, backpacker-friendly eating joints, and numerous shops selling cheap hippie clothes and costume jewelry. You will encounter plenty of touts in the surrounding area and it is busy most of the day. The Rama Krishna Ashram Marg station of the Delhi Metro is a 10-minute walk away, while New Delhi Railway Station, which also has a metro stop, takes 15 minutes to reach on foot. Lots of upmarket shops, restaurants, and cafes can be found in Connaught Place, a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk is a 20-minute drive away, and is a riot of sounds, scents, and sights. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Jantar Mantar, both near Connaught Place, can take as little as 10 minutes to reach by car, but getting to both usually takes longer due to the city's infamous traffic. Factor in about 15 minutes by car to India Gate, or 20 to 25 minutes to Humayun's Tomb. South Delhi attractions such as the Lotus Temple and the Qutub Minar can take 45 minutes or longer to reach depending on traffic. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is about an hour away by car.

The City Star offers 31 rooms across three categories (Deluxe, Premium, and Executive). Decor is pleasant and modern -- a far cry from the busy, multi-patterned decor typical to budget and mid-range hotels in Delhi. Expect to see wood-laminate floors, full or two twin beds with bed throws and matching pillows, and monochrome curtains that match accents on small easy chairs. A bit of abstract art adds a little more color to things. Furnishings include desks, tables, and tall wooden wardrobes. All come with safes, flat-screen TVs, free WI-Fi, minibars, free bottled water, fruit baskets, and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are particularly sleek for a hotel of this pearl-rating, with walk-in tile showers and lots of marble. However, they feel a bit small, particularly in entry-level Deluxe Rooms. Note that rooms facing the street, particularly on lower levels, can suffer from street noise.

While rooms are a nice step up from the other hotels in the Paharganj area, features are likewise a bit of an upgrade at this hotel. The Hotel City Star has a small fitness center with modern equipment including a treadmill, an elliptical machine, an exercise bike, and a weight machine. There's also a restaurant on the rooftop with air-conditioned indoor seating and semi-shaded outdoor seating. It serves all three meals, and though the speciality is Indian food, Chinese and Western dishes are also available. Breakfast is free and well-liked, with an array of options that cater to many tastes. The hotel also offers 24-hour room service. Other amenities include free airport pickups, free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, and even free on-site parking. The front desk can help with taxi bookings and tour arrangements.