Away With The Steiners

Review of Smyle Inn, Paharganj in New Delhi: Friendly, affordable and location value. 

Sarah Steiner

Wondering where to stay in Delhi?  Here is our complete review of the accommodation, service and facilities at Smyle Inn, New Delhi and why it is a great choice in Paharganj.  

Beginning the hunt for accommodation in India’s megacity capital of Delhi and especially anywhere near the bustling district of Paharganj is like searching for a needle in a haystack.  There is a huge range of accommodation photographed very well and priced without much seeming accordance from budget to luxury.  But we have found a treasure in the haystack.  

Smyle Inn, New Delhi is like a hostel with facilities of a budget inn.  It is a great choice for simple, clean and safe accommodation in Delhi.  

Here is our full review of Smyle Inn, New Delhi.

About Smyle Inn and Paharganj in New Delhi, India 

Smyle Inn New Delhi is like a hostel with facilities of a budget inn. All rooms are private with air conditioning and en suite bathrooms with the option of standard and comfort rooms. 

There is separate rooftop common area where travellers can meet, chat and use the internet. Complimentary breakfast and WiFi is provided to all guests.

We found Smyle Inn one year while we were already staying at another hotel in Main Bazar, right in the hub of Pahagarnj.  However, the first hotel was not good.  Albeit we get used to traveling around India and the huge range of accommodation – and particularly budget accommodation – but this first one was not up to standards for staying longer than one night… 

So, we looked online and found a few options, with Smyle Inn New Delhi being the first place we went to check out.  The initial welcome was so friendly.  (Yes, it lives up to its smiling name). We immediately cancelled the remaining booking and moved our luggage immediately to Smyle Inn.  

Whether to stay in Main Bazar Paharganj.
Welcome to the brilliant colours and bustle of Paharganj, New Delhi.

Why stay there? Highlights and facilities.

We had a truly great stay in Smyle Inn, New Delhi.

The location is fantastic for travellers arriving in or transiting Delhi.  And the friendly staff and affordable, clean rooms and breakfast that’s included make it hard to beat as a low-cost, safe and clean accommodation in India’s busy capital city. 

But before we get any further into the details, here are some of the hotel highlights:

Arrival, welcome and checking in at Smyle Inn, New Delhi

This is a great part of the review for Smyle Inn.  If you can imagine yourself coming into the quieter lane of the hotel from the chaos and overwhelming bustle of business that is Main Bazar, it is a welcome site to see the friendly staff on the front reception. 

The check in process is easy and every traveller is given a bottle of water on arrival.  You need to hand over your passports for registration and sign in the registry book.  Payment for the rooms can be made by cash or card. 

Checking in after an overnight train and very thankful for a friendly welcome, a clean bed and even a window.

Rooms – Review of Smyle Inn, Paharganj in New Delhi 

There are a range of rooms to suit solo travellers as well as rooms with twin beds, doubles, triples and a family room layout.

Each of the rooms has an en suite bathroom with a hot shower and western style toilet. 

One of two double beds in our Family Room/Quad Room at Smyle Inn, New Delhi.
Triple Room and en suite bathroom.

Costs. How much does in cost to stay at Smyle Inn, New Delhi?

This must be the best value for money accommodation we’ve found in Delhi!  There are many hotels listed online with great photography but that under deliver in real life.  Smyle Inn is advertised as budget accommodation, and it delivers with clean, basic and comfortable rooms. 

A room at Smyle Inn New Delhi costs between 1200 – 2200 INR ($15 – $26 USD) per night per room. 

Family Room/Quad Room with one queen bed and one double bed costs 2200 INR per night.
Triple Room with one double and one single bed costs 1830 INR per night.
Twin Room with two single beds costs 1480 INR per night in Wing 2 of Smyle Inn, New Delhi.

Food – Review of Smyle Inn, Paharganj in New Delhi 

Breakfast is included with the accommodation at Smyle Inn and is served every morning on the rooftop terrace of Wing 2. 

The breakfast option rotates through four different menu servings including French toast, fried eggs, club sandwich with cheese on toast as well as a banana, Poha rice or Aloo Tiki (potato cake).  Every breakfast comes with a juice box and tea or coffee.  

It’s a simple menu, but I’ve got to say the simplicity and fresh breakfast each morning is one we all look forward too.  It is a great addition to the facilities and services at Smyle Inn. 

A hot breakfast with a juice box, banana, Poha rice and coffee.

Staff – Review of Smyle Inn, Paharganj in New Delhi 

For us, this is the real highlight of Smyle Inn!  It does indeed live up to its name with a particularly friendly and easy-going staff. 

Having travelled all over India on six trips in the last few years we have stayed in a range of accommodation.  But Smyle Inn is one place we always return to and likewise we appreciate each time the consistency of friendly, welcoming service.  

Friendly, great service at breakfast every morning.
Friendly staff at Smyle Inn, New Delhi.

How is the location in New Delhi? 

The hotel is brilliantly located right in the heart of New Delhi, in a quiet street just off the ever-busy and colourful Main Bazar.  This area is teeming with tourist shops, budget hotels and guesthouses, bars, restaurants and travel agencies. 

It is within a 15 – 20 minute walking distance to Connaught Place, and only 5 minutes’ walk to New Delhi Train Station, and the closest Metro station. 

It is situated off the colourful Main Bazaar, Paharganj in a quiet street. Area is the first choice for anyone on a budget and looking to experience & explore historical Delhi.

The nearby train and metro stations make sightseeing within the city very easy as well as handy to access day trips to Agra, Jaipur and beyond. 

And I just remembered, that speaking of location, some time last year that I was able to order from Amazon India and have it delivered to Smyle Inn.  I know we’ve stayed a lot of times but this was something we were desperate for to prepare gift bags for our India Group Trips, and it arrived and was stored before we even got to Delhi. How’s that for service? 

Just a short walk to New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) and only a few minutes to the bustling market of Main Bazar.

What we enjoyed most about staying at Smyle Inn, New Delhi? 

The friendly staff at Smyle Inn, the convenient location and the included breakfast each morning make it our choice for every stay in Delhi.  I think we’ve officially now stayed more than eight times at Smyle Inn, New Delhi!

It is also an affordable accommodation in New Delhi for travellers without lowering to the gross end of budget.  It has a great low price for a quad Room/Family Room too, and there is something admirable about delivering a great service at a fair price that feels few and far between.  

There isn’t anywhere else we’ve found to stay in India that delivers a clean, safe, friendly place to stay for less than 2500 INR ($30 USD) for our family of four.

Any challenges or things we didn’t like about the stay? 

The only minor downside I can think of to mention is that the quiet lane that Smyle Inn is located on means walking first past the public urinal off Main Bazar.  This isn’t technically anything to do with the actual accommodation, but a blip worth mentioning so as not to be disheartened or questioning the location on arrival.  

Other things to do nearby in Paharganj, New Delhi

Paharganj is renowned for its concentration of affordable hotels, restaurants, dhabas, markets and a wide variety of shops catering to both domestic travellers and foreign tourists.  

The area is famous for umpteen eateries as well as the ever-busy market of Main Bazar.  The market of Main Bazar in Paharganj is one of the best market experiences in Delhi, with everything you can think of from bags, incense, embroidered jootis, hemp clothing, traditional clothing and more.  

The main road of Main Bazar.
Colours, temples, incense and all things interesting in Paharganj.

The verdict? Final thoughts? Would we recommend Smyle Inn, New Delhi as somewhere to stay?

For location, genuine personable hospitality and a safe, clean, budget hotel, we reckon you can’t beat Smyle Inn, New Delhi.  

If what you are looking for is value for money, low-cost accommodation in Delhi but struggling to trust how to find all that and be safe and clean, this is a great choice.  Smyle Inn offers accommodation without the frills but that is clean and safe, and with a friendly team of staff that can help with anything you need for your India adventure. 

Thanks Smyle Inn! 

About travel planning for India and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

Read more from travel in India

Exit mobile version