Hotel Delhi Aerocity

The Hotel Aerocity sits right along a major thoroughfare that links Delhi to the neighboring city of Gurgaon, and the front door is just a few feet from a usually congested and busy road. Therefore, arriving at this budget property may feel a bit like a rude awakening, particularly for travelers who have just arrived in India. Guests step into a small, air-conditioned lobby with a couple of plush chairs and a coffee table, but there's really nothing about the space that would make guests want to linger. The only other common area is the 24-hour restaurant, a pleasant enough space with dark marble floors plus black-and-white photos that are a nod toward Delhi's colonial past. Most guests of this hotel are transit passengers needing a place to crash on the night before or after a flight, and it's not a great option for people planning to stay two nights or longer. 

The Hotel Delhi Aerocity is located right on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, across from the main road that leads into the Indira Gandhi International Airport, a five-minute drive away. Actual Aerocity -- the more modern hotel development near the airport -- is across the busy road. The Delhi Aero City Metro station is a three-minute drive or 15-minute walk from the hotel, making trips into the city relatively easy, though it is a bit of a haul from here to central Delhi for anyone wanting to see the sights. It will take about 40 minutes via the Delhi Airport Express line to reach Connaught Place's upmarket shops and restaurants. South Delhi's Qutub Minar takes about half an hour to reach by car, while Humayun's Tomb and the Sufi shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin are a 30- to 45-minute drive away, depending on traffic. Expect drives of 30 to 45 minutes to an hour to reach attractions in the center of the city, such as Connaught Place, and up to an hour to reach Old Delhi and the Red Fort. The IT hub city of Gurgaon takes about the 30 minutes to reach by car, traffic permitting.

Rooms at the Hotel Delhi Aerocity come in three categories: Deluxe, Super Deluxe, and Executive. All have similar, simple decor, with white walls, dark wood furniture, playful decal murals on the walls, and king beds with white linens and colorful throws with matching cushions. We spotted a good bit of wear and tear, including scuffs on walls and chips in furniture, and some rooms lack exterior windows. Air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and tiny wall-mounted flat-screen TVs come standard. Super Deluxe Rooms add gold damask accent walls behind the beds plus coffee- and tea-making facilities and work desks. Executive Rooms feature all of the amenities found in the Super Deluxe units, plus minibars. Bathrooms are basic, with open, wet room-style plans common in India, and Executive Room bathrooms have small rainfall showerheads. 

Features at the Hotel Delhi Aerocity are limited, but there is a 24-hour restaurant Bar-Be-Que, which serves Indian and international cuisine. Room service is also available around the clock, and those in certain higher-category rooms receive free breakfast. On-site parking is free and plentiful, and there's free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Airport transfers can also be arranged, but are not included with room rates. There's an ATM in the same building, right next to the front door.