Auto-rickshaws: The Most Convenient Way to Get Around the City

The overwhelming majority of people in the city are men, and foreign women are subjected to curious stares, making it difficult to walk around comfortably. While there are women, they are often in groups or pairs, suggesting it's more than just the friendly nature of Indians. Even beyond that, the wide roads are choked with traffic, sidewalks are occupied by parked cars, and beggars and vendors approach while you wait at traffic lights.

While there are various transportation options like the metro, which is constructing new lines, and taxis accessible via smartphone apps, auto-rickshaws remain the most practical and convenient choice for getting around Delhi. These three-wheeled vehicles with canopies are ubiquitous, so you won't have trouble hailing one anywhere. It's advisable to assess the driver's demeanor, firmly negotiate your fare, and keep a close eye on your GPS for directions during the ride.

South Delhi: A Hub for the Latest Trends

Delhi is vast. Moving through the city, one is struck by its size and diversity. The northern part is the old city, known as 'Old Delhi,' bustling with domestic and international tourists and locals around the Red Fort, built during the Mughal Empire's prosperity, and its intricate, age-old markets.

The central area is New Delhi, developed during British rule. Its cityscape, housing government institutions and India Gate, is graphically designed and rich in greenery. South Delhi, which continues to expand as New Delhi develops, is simply called 'South Delhi.' While historical sites are scattered throughout, areas that were once overlooked are evolving into popular spots for the latest fashion, art, cafes, and bars, amidst a diverse urban fabric that includes large malls, cinemas, residential neighborhoods, international enclaves favored by expatriates, and sprawling parks.

Popular spots in South Delhi like Hauz Khas Village, Shahpur Jat, and GK1 are infused with international culture and information, serving as launchpads for young Indian artists and designers to reach a global audience. Goods and fashion designed with a contemporary sensibility using Indian materials, street art, and sophisticated antiques are reshaping the traditional image of India. Furthermore, shops and boutique hotels run by foreigners captivated by India are essential elements of this evolving urban atmosphere.

A Place to Spend Relaxed, Happy Moments

The owner, Pauline, is a 27-year-old French woman. She came to Delhi for work with a French fashion brand as a production manager and, after living there for three years, felt inspired to start her own business in the city. Having grown up surrounded by a large extended family, she often hosted friends like family in her Delhi flat. The idea for Scarlette Hotel was born from a desire to create a place where such relaxed, happy moments could be shared.

She leased a building already operating as a hotel and undertook a complete renovation, leveraging her experience in the fashion industry and her innate sense of style. Combining Indian crafts and fabrics sourced from across the country with antiques procured from Rajasthan, she created four unique rooms and a reception area that are sophisticated yet comfortable and serene.

Repeat Guests Seek a Place and Time for Respite

All interior items and amenities are available for purchase in the hotel's shop. "We aim to provide services unique to a small boutique hotel," she says, offering flexible responses to requests, including dining. A chef with French culinary experience prepares fresh meals tailored to guests' preferences and dietary needs, including options for diets. Even the homemade jams at breakfast reflect her French sensibility.

The guests are international, with few Indians, but a diverse mix from Europe, the Americas, neighboring countries, and across Asia. Many are short-term tourists or business travelers staying for one to two weeks, all seeking a place of respite in a city that can be overwhelmingly vibrant. The high rate of repeat guests is a notable characteristic of this hotel.

Adjacent to the hotel, service apartments for longer stays of over a month have been established with the same concept. Each floor has three private rooms, and guests can book entire floors or individual rooms depending on availability. With housekeeping services and a well-equipped shared kitchen, these apartments are popular with guests from Western countries looking to experience Delhi like a local during extended holidays.

Perfect for an Indian-Style Stay

Both the hotel and apartments offer a unique blend of the ease of staying at a friend's home and the comfort of a resort, creating a truly special atmosphere at Scarlette Hotel.



Scarlette New Delhi
B2/139 Safdarjang enclave, New Delhi
Tel. +91 8826010278 / +91(0)1141023764
http://scarlettenewdelhi.com