Cottage Ganga Inn

The Cottage Ganga Inn is a casual, laid-back budget hotel popular with international backpackers and the occasional domestic travelers who want a cheap place to stay near the New Delhi Railway Station. It's set in a modest building back from the hullabaloo of its surrounding Paharganj neighborhood, which keeps things relatively quiet. Common areas are limited to a rooftop restaurant and a small lobby with a reception desk, an elevator, and a small seating area with fake-leather chairs and a couch. All in all, this is a humble place to crash for a few nights in a rowdy part of town, and the bright, generally well-kept interiors help make it a pleasant option in a neighborhood packed with frequently dismal budget hotels.

Cottage Ganga Inn is located in the Paharganj neighborhood of New Delhi, an area known for its cheap hotels, backpacker-friendly eating joints, and numerous vendors selling cheap hippie clothes and costume jewelry. The hotel itself is just down a narrow alleyway off the area's main bazaar, which helps keep things quieter. The Rama Krishna Ashram Marg Metro station is a 10-minute walk away, as is the west entrance of the New Delhi Railway Station. Lots of upmarket shops, restaurants, and cafes can be found in Connaught Place, a 15- to 20-minute walk from the hotel. Old Delhi attractions such as the Red Fort and the busy market area of Chandni Chowk are a 15-minute drive away, or 25 minutes away by metro, while it takes a bit longer to reach Old Delhi Railway Station due to consistently congested traffic in the area. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Jantar Mantar, both near Connaught Place, can take as little as 10 minutes to reach by car, but getting to both usually takes longer due to the city's infamous traffic. Factor in about 15 minutes by car to India Gate, or 20 to 25 minutes to Humayun's Tomb. South Delhi attractions such as the Lotus Temple and the Qutub Minar can take 45 minutes or longer to reach depending on traffic. Indira Gandhi International Airport is up to an hour away by car depending on the time of day. 

The 22 rooms at the Cottage Ganga Inn are pleasant and well maintained, with vibrant decor that includes two-toned wood furniture. Bright accent walls in either hues of turquoise or lavender are hung with a couple of simple prints depicting nature scenes, Hindu deities, or people in traditional Indian dress. Beds have disappointingly thin mattresses that are spruced up with colorful, pattered throw cushions. All rooms come with tube TVs, electric kettles, optional air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges, while Deluxe Family Rooms add extra beds and tiny seating areas. Bathrooms are simple but pleasant, with an open-plan wet room design for the showers, and square rainfall showerheads. While things are mostly well kept at this hotel, there is a bit of wear in rooms that includes chips in furniture and slightly discolored grout in some rooms.

One of the hotel's major highlights is its partially shaded rooftop restaurant, which features standard plastic tables and chairs along with a few plush sofas covered with silk throws and wooden coffee tables for dining and socializing. As the hotel caters largely to international travelers, the menu features cuisine from around the world, plus plenty of Indian mainstays. The hotel also offers a travel agency with tour booking, bus, train, and airplane tickets, and airport transfers. There aren't many other facilities beyond this, though Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.