Mizpah, nestling in the exclusive Safdarjung Enclave in the south of New Delhi, is a delightful and intriguing marriage of two seemingly disparate cultures – Australian and Indian. Owners Shaun and Caroline have been inspired by their Antipodean hideaway, Mizpah Cottage near Melbourne, to create a little oasis of calm in one of the world’s most dizzying cities, suffusing their Aussie aesthetic with local Delhi influences – and it’s an understated triumph.
With only four rooms, the feel here is more of a family home rather than a traditional hotel or B&B. Anglo-Indian touches flow throughout – colonial-era stylings married with bright, modern décor. Here some comfy rattan chairs under gently whirling ceiling fans, there whitewashed walls with pastel and floral fabrics, everywhere dark woods and block prints. Spice colours and local flora sit happily alongside swathes of cool blue intended to evoke Southern skyscapes. There’s also a little café area, where you can take breakfast before a busy day of exploring, or recharge with some local tea and homemade cake in the afternoon, before it transforms into a chic eatery by night. All in all, it’s a haven amid the chaos or the perfect starting point for your passage to the rest of India.
With only four rooms, the feel here is more of a family home rather than a traditional hotel or B&B. Anglo-Indian touches flow throughout – colonial-era stylings married with bright, modern décor. Here some comfy rattan chairs under gently whirling ceiling fans, there whitewashed walls with pastel and floral fabrics, everywhere dark woods and block prints. Spice colours and local flora sit happily alongside swathes of cool blue intended to evoke Southern skyscapes. There’s also a little café area, where you can take breakfast before a busy day of exploring, or recharge with some local tea and homemade cake in the afternoon, before it transforms into a chic eatery by night. All in all, it’s a haven amid the chaos or the perfect starting point for your passage to the rest of India.
Highs
- The location is perfect: conveniently placed for airport access, and just outside the centre of New Delhi; most of the city’s top attractions are never more than a 20-minute taxi ride away
- Top quality service – the hotel can provide personal guided tours through unexplored New Delhi, arrange for a pedicure, rustle up a quick snack or even have the local tailor come round to measure you up for kaftans
- A great value find
- A real home from home vibe, a welcome antidote to the busyness of Delhi
Lows
- There’s no pool to cool off in the stifling summer months
- Children are more than welcome but there isn’t much in the way of activities to keep them distracted
- Limited street car parking available
- Only 4 rooms so book ahead!
Best time to go
December/January has mild days and cold nights, March to April is warm and glorious and the flowers are in bloom. April to June is suffocatingly hot, and the monsoon season from July to September is wet and sticky. September-December is very pleasant but air quality can be a problem, so these months are not advised for those with respiratory problems.
Our top tips
With so much to do, one of the best ways to explore both the city and the culture is to take a food tour – especially around Old Delhi. There are dozens to choose from and they can include markets, street vendors and cooking classes.