Basil the Residency

Basil the Residency is housed in a four-story white-washed building with green awnings that give it a little character. It's small and looks more like an apartment building from the outside, unsurprising given its residential location in South Delhi. Inside, the lobby has an attractive Thai-inspired look, with dark walls accented by unfinished cedar paneling and a small front desk behind which is an art piece depicting the head of the Buddha. There's a small seating area here and additional seats can be found next to the elevator on the upper floors. It's city-chic look extends to a nice array of common areas, from the hotel's restaurant to the well-stocked game room for those wanting to unwind after a day out in Delhi's clamor. The hotel is a decent choice for tourists and business travelers who want a low-key hotel, and its position near the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute & Research Centre, a major research hospital, attracts some guests in town for medical visits. 

On a main road in South Delhi's upmarket Sukhdev Vihar neighborhood, the immediate area can be a little busy. Fortis Escorts Heart Institute & Research Centre, one of Delhi's best cardiovascular hospitals, is a 10-minute walk or three-minute drive from the hotel. It's a 10-minute walk from New Friends Colony Market, which has banks, shops, a cinema, and plenty of restaurants and bars that draw expats and well-heeled locals. There's no metro station within walking distance, so travelers will need to rely on taxis or autorickshaws to get around. Note that it can be difficult for taxi drivers to find this hotel, so have a map handy.

It's a 10-minute drive from here to attractions such as the Baha'i Lotus Temple, the adjacent ISKCON (Hare Krishna) Temple, and the famous Shri Kalkaji Mandir, an important religious site for Shaktism. Hip Hauz Khas Village -- with lots of shops, bars, and restaurants -- is just over a 20-minute drive away, while Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb are both within 20 to 25 minutes by car. Reaching the center of Noida takes about 20 minutes by car as well, making this an ideal spot for business travelers who have work obligations there but want to be able to explore Delhi as well.

Both the shopping hub of Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar, a collection of ancient astronomical instruments, take around 25 minutes to reach by car, as does Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi's most significant Sikh place of workshop. Indira Gandhi International Airport is about half an hour away by car without traffic (but can take up to twice as long during rush hour).

Basil the Residency offers two room types -- Deluxe and larger Super Deluxe -- with reduced rates for single occupancy. Decor is modern and fresh, with light-wood floors and matching half paneling, soft-gray walls, and nearly black wooden furniture complemented by the odd light-wood piece. Muted turquoise throw cushions and reddish-orange wall sconces add a bit of colorful flair. Super-Deluxe Rooms add corner seating benches with small tables, but they feel a little sparsely furnished. All rooms are individually air-conditioned and have either two twin beds or a queen bed (which is just two twins pushed together). Other standard features include wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, free water (two liters, replenished daily), and basic minibars with snacks and soft drinks (but no alcohol). Bathrooms are simple but contemporary, with vessel sinks, big mirrors, free toiletries, and walk-in glass-walled showers with square-shaped rainfall showerheads. Note that there have been complaints of room noise, owing to the hotel's location off a busy road.

Despite its small stature, there are a good number of features on hand that help to make this a solid value for a boutique hotel. The highlight for many is the game room, an industrial two-room space with glazed concrete floors and red-painted exposed pipes. It's outfitted with a billiards table, foosball, table tennis, a flat-screen TV with a video game console. There's bean bag seating, plus a couple of exercise bikes and free weights off to one side. The hotel also has a 24-hour restaurant with round-the-clock room service and a free breakfast buffet, but past guests complain of fewer vegetarian options than what one might typically find in a restaurant in India. There's also a rooftop bar area with wooden bench tables and rustic plaid cushions in a covered area, plus an open section with a few bean bag chairs and neighborhood views. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.