A Business-Centric Metropolis, with Western-Style Hotels, Ancient Architecture, and Smart Transit 

Delhi: one of the biggest business hubs in India, and one of the most culturally rich and beautifully chaotic cities in the world. Its population density is greater than whole countries like France and Australia, and on average, thirteen different languages are spoken at the same time within the city borders. The metropolis is separated into two large sections: North Delhi, which includes Old and New Delhi, and South Delhi. (Have a look at the delhitourism.gov site for more particulars.)

Although the city is jam-packed with things to do, see and eat, the good part is, once you get to know Delhi a little, it’s easy to find your way around the vibrant and energized city. Whether traveling for business or leisure, you are sure to have an incredibly hospitable and spiritual experience.

Getting around Gurgaon, the Financial Hub

Delhi’s suburb Gurgaon is actually the number one financial and industrial city in all of India. Although the word “suburb” automatically makes it sound like it is quite a distance from Delhi, it is actually very easy to get to, as it has its own train station and is easily accessible by vehicle or metro.

In fact, the Delhi transit system is very impressive for such a densely packed city. You can get almost anywhere in Delhi in under an hour via metro, which runs frequently, and almost 24 hours a day. All local bus and metro tickets can be purchased before boarding. Train tickets can be purchased at the reservations office of all major railway stations within the country, as well as online at Clear Trip or MakeMyTrip.com.

As for taxis, the city suffers from constant traffic; therefore a cab isn’t always the best option for transportation — but having said that, they are easy to spot, and drivers usually speak English. No matter your preferred mode of transportation, prepare to leave at least two hours before you need to be somewhere downtown if you are traveling from the suburbs,  and vice versa.

Delhi’s Distinct Hotels

Making your way through the big city can be exhausting, especially when visiting during tourist season between October and March. Days can be extremely hot, and traveling in the heat all day leads you to feel you deserve a good night’s sleep.  So where to rest your head, which by then will probably feel both exhilarated and exhausted?

When staying in New Delhi, the trendy areas include Pahar Ganj and Araskashan Road. Both are walking distance from the New Delhi railway station, and near plenty of shops for when you are in need of any type of cuisine or window-shopping (or real shopping!).  A great find in this area: Bloom Rooms, a beautiful hotel right at the corner of Arakashan Road, near to the Jangpura Metro station – and also home to a fantastic Italian restaurant. Reasonably priced and comfortable, winner of the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award in 2014, Bloom Rooms has all your essential amenities (yes, WiFi!), a breakfast buffet and free city shuttle — along with transportation to and from the airport, and a charming, sunny-looking website.

For a more old-fashioned, historical option, yet still staying in the “budget” category, Old Delhi has Hotel Broadway, dating from the 1950’s, housing its own quirky restaurant, Chor Bizarre. And for an even more traditional choice, the Maidens Hotel is a beautiful heritage property built in 1903. Its website itself gives off an aura of turn-of-the-century elegance and even mystery, while all the rooms have been refurbished and redesigned.

And for those travelers wanting more Western-style options, Gurgaon is where you’ll find all international hotel chains to accommodate business travelers collecting travel points. Both the Westin and Courtyard by Marriott will give you the well-rested, quiet night you deserve after a long and noisy day in the city.

Eat, Drink and Enjoy

The goal in India, when eating, is to always find good food and a good view!  People-watching and spotting your next great shopping find both pair well with a delicious Indian meal.

In the center of Pahar Ganj, you can sip Italian coffee and indulge in international cuisine, from Isreali to Italian to Pakistani, while looking out at the bustling streets below the Exotic Café and Restaurant. Do note that although they offer plenty of menu options, their Indian dishes are incredible, especially their Aloo Gobi, a potato and cauliflower curry dish that should be consumed with a side of onion naan bread.

If you have a meeting in South Delhi, or have some spare time during the day to take a nice long lunch, Dilli Haat market is like the exotic food court we wish we all had at home. It’s about 20 rupees to enter the market (about $0.20 USD), and it is full of food, clothing and accessory stalls from every state in India, as well as the bordering countries of Nepal, Tibet and Bangladesh.

The market is sponsored and marketed by the Indian Ministry of Tourism. Here, you can purchase fair trade products while devouring plates of gourmet momos, Tibetan dumplings, or South Indian dosas.  Finished it off, of course, with a sweet lassi (a drink full of yogurt, fruit and spices)!

For dinner meetings or nights out, Hauz Khas village is the hippest (and definitely most fun) spot in the city, packed with artists and young suit types. With blocks of stacked, tall buildings filled with shops, cafes and restaurants on each floor, you’ll be sure to find yourself either eating or dancing the night away.

Where (and How!) to Shop

If you are looking for authentic Indian handicrafts, beautiful silk scarfs or colorful traditional suits and dresses, beware of Chandni Chowk – in a good way, because you will never want to leave.

The market is drenched in color, and the air is filled with smells of incense burning, henna, and delicious curries and pakoras being cooked by street vendors. Some ground rules for bargaining in the bazaar:

• It’s best to go either in the morning or late afternoon – i.e. to be either their first customer or their last customer.
• Foreigners are spotted from a mile away — and prices triple once you approach them or show genuine interest in any item in any shop.
• The key to getting a good price is to never show too much interest in what you’d like to purchase. Instead, ask the price first, and always start the bidding war at half of whatever they offer you.
• Bargaining in India is not for everyone though; it can take a lot of energy and commitment.

For fixed price shops, stop by some of Delhi’s fantastic shopping centers, including Select Citywalk, a mall-style retail  + cinema + fitness club venue, open til 11 p.m. every day.  Also check out the sleek  Pacific Mall in New Delhi, open every day of the year, and Ambience Mall in Gurgaon, whose tagline is: “1 kilometer of shopping on every floor.” It also has every type of restaurant you can imagine, from stylish and refined to mall-type fast food.

All three of these are massive buildings, filled with an array of both Western and Indian chain and independent shops, and are a great escape from the sun’s powerful rays. Lastly, for upscale, label shopping, Khan Market located south of India Gate in New Delhi is a good bet for brands unique to India and fair trade, authentic goods. 

Must-See Architectural Stunners

No matter how many mosques, mandirs or temples you visit while in India, let alone Delhi, you will likely never tire of the detailed and authentic Indian architecture that has been heavily influenced by Japanese, Chinese and Middle Eastern art and design.

Places of worship that are sure to make your jaw drop include Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, located next to Chandi Chowk in New Delhi; the famous Lotus Temple (Baha’i House of Worship); and the impossibly beautiful Akshardham Temple.

Photos are allowed inside Jama Masjid, and outside the Lotus temple, but cameras are to be checked if entering, as well as at the Akshardham temple (note: a photo could never do it justice anyway!).

If you are lucky enough to have a few hours to spare, a wander through the World Heritage site of Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb is worth every second. Red Fort, located outside of Chandni Chowk, was home to the Mughal emperor of India for almost two hundred years, and houses quite an array of different museums, shops and Asian design.  Humayun’s Tomb belonged to Mughal Emperor Humayun, and was designed by the Persian architect, Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. The beautiful and underrated structure actually inspired many other great architectural works, including the world-renowned  Taj Mahal in Agra, India.

And for one last quick photo-op, before you have to leave, make sure to head over to Old Delhi to check out Delhi Gate, dating from the seventeenth century, located just outside the parliament complex.

Delhi is its own world and is always ready to extend its arms and welcome a new traveler. Although such a large city can be overwhelming, the warmth within each resident, the culture embedded in every sight, the country’s beautiful structures, mouth-watering cuisine, and the music often filling the air will instantly capture your heart — and have you leaving with plans of returning.