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Delhi is Northern India's largest city with a population of more than 12 million inhabitants and is one of the world's most multicultural, cosmopolitan and oldest cities. The city is almost completely flat with the Aravalli Hills across the west. The Old City on the west side of the River Yamuna is the crowded and congested original capital of Islamic Delhi while New Delhi, to the south, boasts broad tree-lined streets, modern buildings and many fine Delhi hotels. The rest of the city is made up on low-rise sprawling suburbia and slums.
Located on the banks of the River Yamuna, this city has been inhabited since the 6th century BC, if not longer. The city grew as a major political, cultural and commercial hub along the trade route between northwest India and the Gangetic Plain and served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from the mid 17th to the mid 18th centuries. Under the British East India Company and subsequently the British Raj, the capital was moved to Calcutta and it wasn't until 1911 that the capital was moved back to Delhi with a new city, New Delhi, built to the south of the existing walls.
On the streets of this vibrant melting pot of a city, visitors will hear many different languages and dialects spoken with the most common being Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English. The sweltering heat of the summers with temperatures over 40 degrees C are common with heavy rains in the monsoon season from June to October. The high humidity, heavy rain and extreme heat can be very uncomfortable and guests to any of the Delhi hotels would be advised to avoid this time of the year.
Access is via the Indira Gandhi International Airport and from here the best way to access the city is by one of the free shuttle services offered by luxury Delhi hotels or by taxi. Trains also arrive in the city with the New Delhi Railway Station located just outside Paharganj which is also known as the backpacker's ghetto. Large and overflowing, visitors first impressions of the city are of generalized chaos, noise, excessive traffic, a seething mass creating a crush of human traffic and tenacious touts all trying to offer articles for sale or assistance of one kind or the other.
However, scratch beneath the surface of all of this and visitors will find the real gems located all around the city. Getting around in the city is always an adventure but the metro is cheap, quick and relatively hassle-free. Buses and auto-rickshaws are convenient and even three-wheeled cycle rickshaws are good for short distances.
The city is full of captivating ancient monuments, museums, plenty of restaurants and a lively night-scene. The major tourist attractions include three world heritage sites; the brilliant red sandstone Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb and Qutab Minar. Other fortresses, India Gate, temples, tombs, covered bazaars, mosques and monuments provide a plethora of things to see. Lovely parks and gardens provide some welcome respite off the busy streets. On the other hand, visitors to Delhi hotels can relax and enjoy New Delhi's trendy new cafes and bars and sip cappuccinos or ice-cold cocktails in the comfort of the cool verandas Delhi hotels offer.
The city offers plenty of cheap budget Delhi hotels with a large number of hostels, guest houses and bed and breakfast accommodation. There is a chronic shortage of mid-range hotels which has also led to many B&B and private rooms being rented out. However, some nice clean Delhi hotels can be found, some with a private bathroom and satellite TV but others in much need of repair and renovations. The luxury hotels tend to be very expensive and, likewise, demand far outstrips supply. However, there are some lovely five star hotels such as the Taj Palace Hotel which plays host to Heads of State, moguls and celebrities and is only ten minutes from the airport and near the diplomatic enclave of the city.
Guest rooms at luxury Delhi hotels include Club level rooms, Executive suites and expansive and impressive Presidential suites. Rooms are luxuriously appointed with central air conditioning, large working desks, an electronic safe and data port facilities. Other amenities include plasma TV, direct dial telephone, tea and coffee maker, stocked mini-bar and a hair dryer. Club rooms include extra amenities such as buffet breakfast in the lounge, butler service, evening cocktails and use of the business center.
Luxury Delhi hotels provide many recreational facilities for business guests to de-stress and unwind and for leisure guests to enjoy after a stressful day of sightseeing and shopping. Some hotels include a 9-hole putting green, hair salon and shopping arcades as well as a fitness center with modern cardiovascular equipment and free weights. Lovely spas combine the best of Eastern and Western philosophies to provide rejuvenating massages and invigorating treatments. Using herbs and oils, Ayurvedic massages, rubs and peels, guests will soon feel the benefits of ancient Indian therapies. Golf and tennis can both be arranged through helpful concierge services.
Fabulous restaurants at Delhi hotels serve an array of Continental, Asian and Western cuisine ensuring that all guests are well satisfied. Of course it is recommended that guests taste the fine Indian cuisine on offer which bring together exotic herbs and spices to create tantalizing smells and tastes. From casual all-day eateries to stunning formal dining rooms, both contemporary and traditional, guests are in for a real treat.
Delhi hotels are as exciting as the city itself but provide some welcome relief to the hustle and bustle of the busy streets.
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