Choosing a Hotel in New Delhi

We used to recommend a small handful of Aerocity hotels, but after personally making our way through most of them, we’re comfortable saying you’ll be in good hands at any of these. Below, they’re listed in rough order of comfort and luxury:

• JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity
• Andaz Delhi by Hyatt
• Roseate House New Delhi Aerocity
• Pullman New Delhi Aerocity
• Aloft New Delhi Aerocity
• Novotel New Delhi Aerocity
• Holiday Inn New Delhi Aerocity
• Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity
• Lemon Tree Premier Delhi Airport
• ibis New Delhi Aerocity
• Lemon Tree Hotel Delhi Airport

Important note: If you use Booking.com or another hotel booking site, don’t always believe the map view. Many nearby hotels have pinned themselves in Aerocity but they are located a bit further away. Please only use the hotels above for reference inside Aerocity. If you see anything for $30 a night in Aerocity, I can say with confidence that it’s too good to be true!

ITC Maurya

The lobby is epic! This is a LEED™ Platinum hotel (meaning very sustainably designed and operated; BJ is a LEED™ Accredited Professional and he loves this sort of thing!)  

The stateliness of ITC Maurya is situated in the diplomatic enclave of New Delhi and has long been the favored accommodation of heads of state, royalty and business leaders from across the world. Barack Obama stayed here, as have 5 other U.S. Presidents.

ITC Maurya is a 30-minute drive from the airport (and 20 minutes back to the airport).

The Oberoi

Reopened in 2018 after an extensive refurbishment, the Oberoi New Delhi hotel reflects the spirit of India’s capital city in a harmonious blend of tradition and contemporary sophistication. Wellness facilities include The Oberoi Spa, temperature-controlled indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a 24-hour fitness center.

The Oberoi is a 30-minute drive from the airport.

The Imperial

This is the most historic of the 5-star hotels in Delhi and its Wikipedia article is well worth a read. The Imperial is a legend that offers a unique experience embracing facets of India’s history. Built in 1931 by Blomfield, a Lutyens’ associate, the hotel is known for its contemporary colonial style. It is steps away from the renowned shopping district Connaught Place and major city attractions.

The Imperial is a 30-minute drive from the airport. 

Holiday Inn Express at Terminal 3

If you wish to stay within the airport, you have another option. The price for the Holiday Inn Express at T3 is in line with many hotels within Aerocity, but will save you a bit of time. You must present your airline reservations to them upon booking a room there.

This is only an option if are you arriving Internationally into Terminal 3 and then also flying out of Terminal 3 on a domestic flight (say, to Ladakh, or Varanasi). From the hotel:

International wing is only for those passengers who fly from International to International interconnecting flights where their luggage must be checked in through till the final destination & the guest must carry a valid airline-issued boarding pass for the departure flight.

The domestic wing is for those passengers who fly International to Domestic/ Domestic to International coming via Surface and catching an International or a Domestic flight where guests can take all their luggage upstairs to the hotel with a valid Indian Visa & Passport.

After you leave Customs, stay in the airport and turn right. Walk about 150 meters (past the shops) until you see the Holiday Inn desk on the right. You’ll tell the person at the kiosk that you have a reservation. You’ll need to show your passport and your onward flight reservation several times through this process, so please keep that handy.

You’ll be escorted upstairs to the airport’s check-in counter area, where you’ll go through a security screening before you’re escorted upstairs to the hotel. Once you are in the hotel space you cannot leave, and you’ll need an escort to go back down to the check-in area upon departure.

There is a gym, a decent enough breakfast, and the rooms are quite comfortable, making this a good option if you have a short time but still want some rest.

When booking, please do not confuse this airport hotel with the Holiday Inn within Aerocity.