Where to stay in Delhi. Following are the best area to stay in Delhi
Things to do in Delhi are situated in different areas so there is no area which can be actually beneficial for sight seeing, overall in the end of the day total distance covered would be nearly same (as most tourist specially foreigners prefer to hire cab on disposal for sight seeing).The selection of areas more depends on budget/transit mode/idea of spending evening etc.
Cannaught Place
CP is the tourist hub in Delhi having lots of (upscale) hotels,places to eat and drink,also centrally located and connected to all area of Delhi by metro,best area to stay for those budget is not an issue or wants to explore Delhi by own or wants to spend evening exploring around hotel for food or Drink. Rajeev Chowk,Patel Chowk,Janpath,Barakhamba are the metro stations in the vicinity of CP depending upon location of hotel. CP is also connected to IGI airport by high speed dedicated metro taking less than 20 minute, Shivaji stadium and New Delhi are two metro station near CP depending upon location of hotel.You will also get many touts in the area who will persuade you to visit government tourist office,just avoid them,there are hundreds of those travel agents who show themselves as government tourist office but actually they are frauds selling products at inflated rates.There is only one government tourist office situated at Janpath and they are are mainly a consultancy/information office and they don’t have field agents/touts to get tourist there.There are many attractions which are very close to CP .
Paharganj
Paharganj is situated in front of New Delhi railway station, a KM away from CP having hundreds of budget hotels,most famous area among budget travellers,there are many value for money accommodation available.The area is crowded,chaotic.As its a tourist hub so you will found lots of touts,just have to avoid them.If arriving/departing by a train from New Delhi then can be an option.Also New Delhi railway station is directly connected to IGI airport through high speed dedicated metro taking just 19 minute but the metro station is on opposite side of railway station (Ajmeri gate),a short walk through railway station FOB or through DB Gupta flyover is needed,better option is to take E rickshaw/auto,share option also available Paharganj from metro station and vice versa. RK Ashram metro station is in Paharganj which is on Blue line and just next station to Cannaught place and 2nd station from Karol bagh. Depending upon location of hotel,can walk or short e rickshaw ride. Paharganj is very close to Cannaught place,just a short rickshaw ride.
Karol Bagh
Karolbagh is 3-4 km from New Delhi railway station/CP,have hundreds of budget hotels and place to eat,Its situated on metro route.Its less chaotic and crowded than Paharganj. Also before booking hotels you may keep in mind that there are 2 area in KB, Ajmal Khan road and Chhana market . Ajmal Khan road is the main market area so this is a crowded area but more rated hotels are in this area,Chhana market area is mainly a residential area so not so crowded and chaotic and just few minute walking/rickshaw ride to Ajmal Khan road.Most eating option in KB are budget one but CP can be easily reached using metro,which is just 3rd station.Also if move towards patel Nagar (which is next metro station opposite direction of CP)there are many good place to eat and drink.
CP,KB and Paharganj are centrally located and makes a triangle situated close to each other,all three are ok depending upon budget and priority.
Aerocity
Aerocity is the area situated near airport having branded hotels,not a budget option. Aerocity is little away from Delhi downtown and not an ideal area for tourist wanted to explore the city using cab.The road (Jaipur Highway) to reach Aerocity is famous of heavy traffic and have to waste valuable time moving to/from Aerocity specially during morning and evening.Better option to reach aerocity from downtown is by airport express metro,the metro station is just outside aerocity and it take just 16-17 minute to reach CP using metro.Another negative about aerocity is unavailability of restaurants in the area other than the in house restaurant of hotels,another option is food court at worldmark building.If someone visiting Delhi as a transit then aerocity can be a option.
There are some more area having decent hotels but less touristy.South Delhi (around Saket) is one of them.There are some good BnB/Guest house and 5 star in Saket/around,area is clean than other areas,less touristy,good non touristy places to eat and also on metro (as most area in Delhi).
Chanakyapuri is diplomatic area and having some of the best 5 star in Delhi including ITC Maurya,Taj Palace and Leela.If someones priority is hotel and that too in posh location then Chanakyapuri is for them,but nowhere to walk around hotels in evening.
Dwarka is a western suburb opposite to Delhi airport having some newly 5 star hotels and BnB.The 5 star like Radisson/ITC/Taj are relatively cheaper than the one at other parts of Delhi. Dwarka is a planned residential area so little difficult to find any place to eat other than hotels except markets/centre situated at designated area in each sectors.Though it looks Dwarka is very close to Airport but only if using metro,by road its 12-15 km. Dwarka is directly connected to downtown and airport by airport express and also by blue line metro.