I booked 3 nights at City Star as a birthday present for Al, and a way of breaking us both in to the chaos of Delhi. At around £70 for 3 nights, it is no doubt the most expensive place we'll stay. With good reviews on booking.com, free wifi and breakfast, and the promise of complimentary airport pick-up, it seemed like the good choice.
(There's Alice in the lobby with our travel companions Bentley and Boris.)
We arrived in Delhi airport a half hour later than scheduled. Our bags took another nail-biting 45minutes to arrive. By this point it was 4.30am and we were beginning to stress out ever so slightly... We left the airport, hoping to see our names amongst the white boards held out offering lifts to hotels around the city. Alas, ours was not there. Keen to keep the faith, we left the airport to check the outside crowds. Still no sign, and now no way back into the airport or means of changing money. Hesitantly we resided to the fact that we were going to have to join the mass of people and attempt to get a cab... With no Indian cash.
$7 and 45minutes later (with at least roadside stops as we attempted to show the driver where the hotel actually was...) we finally rocked up at the hotel. Time: 5.45am. "Our driver was waiting for you for an hour and a half" the guy on reception said. Sod's law; we probably missed him by minutes. The desk rectified this straight away by offering a complimentary ride back to the airport after our stay... So all was not lost.
The room was large and clean, with a queen sized bed and a huge window over-looking not a lot. Complimentary water and papers were supplied everyday, and towels and toiletries were stocked in the bathroom. The tv didn't work, and there wasn't a hairdryer but we didn't really have (m)any complaints.
Breakfast was a simple affair out on the roof terrace; with a good selection of Indian options which we stayed clear of. For the less adventurous (us), cereal, toast and fruit were offered along with pancakes and omelettes to order. The coffee was alright too.
The roof terrace was one of the hotels best features; it'd be a good spot for a beer and a game of cards.
Overall the staff were really friendly and obliging, the wifi was good, the gym was well equipped and the location was pretty perfect. We took up the offer of the hotels cab for the first day and Rashu their driver took us to all the sights, whilst also doubling up as our private photographer. At 800rps for both I think we were probably ripped off; but it was an easy option and we weren't about to step out in Delhi on our first day and grab a random tuc-tuc.
Overall, it was a good stay I'd say.
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