Jyoti Mahal A Heritage Hotel

India , Delhi and NCR
New Delhi, Nalwa Street, Chuna Mandi, Paharganj, 2488/90
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50 reviews shown

8/10

Excellent

24 Jan 2026

Hilda

Staff was very helpful. The room I stayed in was one of the older ones but they are refurbishing them and I saw several of the new ones. They are beautiful. It is a heritage hotel and the experience is very special.

2/10

Poor

07 Dec 2025

Raghumalathi

Dont get disguised with the photos. Hotel is very outdated, no cleanliness at all..Breakfast is pathetic. Not worth the price of 4k per night we paid for. It is a 2star hotel.

Business Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Nov 2025

Derek

Thank you!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

09 Oct 2025

david henry

A wonderful stay in a quirky and unique hotel. The architecture and decor are both magical, and the staff very friendly and helpful.they are doing some work and repairs around the property, but this did not impact on my stay as some of the rooftop terrace was still available for use. If you want to experience the bustle and lively chaos of real Delhi, this is the place for you as the area around the hotel is like nothing you have seen before. Hotel security is good and the guard on the door professional and polite. If you want no frills with a lot of character, I recommend this place

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

23 Sep 2024

elianne

As a non-smoker, the only thing that disturbed me was that my room smelled a bit like cigarette.
They are currently redoing the rooms so probably there aren't as many available as usual so they are limited to the number of rooms they can give.
But, it would be a good idea to separate smoking and non-smoking.
Otherwise the rooftop terrace was nice, good pressure in the shower and AC.
Really enjoyed my stay.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 May 2019

Lee

Local Charm

Interesting hotel. Islamic style spaces. Not bad value for money. The roof terrace desperately needs more shade for breakfast time otherwise you’ll cook. Basic breakfast could do with improvement. Local area interesting. Popular with tourists. Helpful tourist desk.

Family

4/10

Poor

18 Dec 2018

Paul

Once was enough

Delhi was a totally new experience for us. The location of the hotel was convenient but was noisy throughout most nights with building work across the street while the hotel owners renovated another property. The toilets did not work very well requiring repeated flushing. The rooftop eating area was nice.

Friends

2/10

Poor

05 Nov 2018

Gladys

The dirtiest hotel in India. We booked this property based on pictures from its website and when we arrived we told the taxi he’d made a mistake. The hotel is nothing like the pictures, they must have been taken 30 years ago with no maintenance or cleaning since. The lobby floor is dirtier then the street, the walls need washed and paint. The fountain is full of garbage and the furniture should be burned. The rooms were worse and the staff were uncaring and rude and would not give us our money back. We were sick after the breakfast we ate and new we had to leave this hellhole. Do not stay here unless your standards are extremely low.

6/10

Pleasant

28 Mar 2018

Rosie

Charming building but it looks nothing like the pc

I was first given a room at the back which was in need of a good cleaning and refurbishment. When I complained about the state of the room I was upgraded to a family room on the side of the building, which was okay. The only thing you get in this hotel is the space, but that's it. It must have been a beautiful hotel at its prime time though.

2/10

Poor

02 Jan 2018

Verified traveler

Don’t stay at this dive hotel

Frankly I thought I’d shown up at the wrong hotel. It looked and sounded like a brothel. The noise lasted all night long - loud voices partying, etc I literally slept with my clothes on and didn’t unpack. Terrifying.

8/10

Excellent

18 Dec 2017

Harjeet Singh

Liked hotel very much will stay again

8/10

Excellent

04 Nov 2017

Emily

Tidy room close to everything. Staff very friendly and helpful, would stay here again. Lovely rooftop restaurant.

4/10

Poor

24 Sep 2017

Verified traveler

Spend a little more and go somewhere better.

Upon arrival at the hotel the road outside was dug up leaving a very large step up to the hotel, which although not the hotels fault did not create a inviting atmosphere. Once inside I noticed the fountain, which from images on hotels.com looked stunning and colourful. However it was half covered and having work done to it so the inside of the hotel looked awful. We were shown to our room which was very bare and didn't have much going for it. Doors and windows looked as if anyone could just push through and enter the room. The beds creaked with every movement. The bathroom was filthy and definitely needs to be cleaned/ renovated. When checking out they tried to charge us for the airport pick up, which on the booking through hotels.com stated free airport pick up and I had to keep repeating this to the staff. Would not stay again.

Family

4/10

Poor

04 Sep 2017

Verified traveler

Great design, nasty room

Loved the authentic design from the pics. Some of the furniture pieces were beautiful. But the room was definitely unclean and felt very unsafe. Door didn't have a real lock on it and could be padlocked from the outside. Um, sketchy!!!
Loved the design but had to cancel our next night and get out of there fast!
Don't stay here unless you want bugs all over your room.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Mar 2017

Jane

Loved it !!

Loved this hotel !!! It's great value for money and in a perfect location for shopping ! The building is very cute and loved the architecture and decor !! It's right in a central area so don't expect it to be quiet but it's exactly what we wanted !!
The roof top restaurant /bar is very cute and the breakfast is sufficient !
We were very happy and will most definitely return as loved it here !!!

Family

8/10

Excellent

18 Jan 2017

Sean

Funky heritage hotel interesting furniture and scu

Good quiet location pretty hotel lots of paintings and statues we stayed here twice in a couple of weeks ( flying back to Delhi) room 102 seemed like it hadn't been used and the TV didn't work but room 304 much better cleaner - not sure if this is correct but was charged an extra 3% over Expedia price on my confirmation email for paying by credit card overall though good place to stay

8/10

Excellent

24 Oct 2016

adam

Charming and heaps of character!

I love this hotel due to the character of the hotel and the excellent rooftop terrace. Neighbourhood was cool with lots of interesting food and shops.

Partner

2/10

Poor

21 Oct 2016

Oren

No rooms though Hotels.com reservations were made

As we arrived to the hotel the men at reception refused to accept the Hotels.com reservarion even though we paid in advanced. They moved us to another hotel owned by same owner.

8/10

Excellent

21 Mar 2016

Bramwell

Great hotel bags of character and o,d world charm

Great roof top Restraunt loads of character best we found in Delhi
Hotel a little run down but loads of character lovely architecture large spacious rooms very clean by Indian standards .
300 yards from main tourist shopping stree loads of shops and low cost restraunts. Walkable to the main railway station at end of tourist street.
Make sure you pay in advance through Hotels.dot com to ensure your room.
No problem with our first visit booked through Hotels.com and paid in full we asked to reserve a room for our return to Delhi six weeks later (no deposit Taken by hotel) but when we arrived although our booking was on their reservation register the hotel was completely full so we had to find another hotel for the night.
Management wernt concerned just stated that other guests had extended their stays so our room wasn't vacant or available.
From 100% recommendation this soured my feelings towards the managment which I totally lost faith in. But still a lovely hotel with bags of character to stay in.
The hotel reminded us of the Marigold Hotel out of the film

Family

2/10

Poor

19 Mar 2016

Gregory

Avoid

Ruined the last day of our holiday

Family

2/10

Poor

03 Feb 2016

milton

Don't bother

Don't waste your time at this hotel, it's nothing like the photos maybe ten years ago,better and better priced hotels in the area.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

14 Jan 2016

Verified traveler

Authentically shabby

The staff was lovely. The hotel has character but it is in desperate need of TLC - it is tired and neglected. It COULD be amazing, but it is not. The \"complimentary breakfast\" is very average, at best. With some attention to detail this property could be outstanding - even a coat of paint to freshen it up would go a long, long way. The fountain was not working and I suspect it isn't maintained as it is extra upkeep. The first 2 days the WIFI was completely down. There was no housekeeping at all (we stayed 3 nights). The location is conveniently close to the main Delhi Train Station and is one street of Main Bazaar Road which is interesting and intense.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

09 Dec 2015

Please ignore my ratings

We booked but did not stay as we felt uncomfortable in the area which the hotel was located.

2/10

Poor

08 Dec 2015

Awful. Please avoid.

The area is loud and dirty which would have been fine if the hotel was decent.
Instead it was unfriendly, dingey and the staff seemed to prefer to do anything rather than provide customer service.
We paid for 4 nights and left after 2 to a B&B which was 100% better for only about $10 extra a night.

10/10

Exceptional

23 Nov 2015

Verified traveler

100% Recommended

Delhi was tense and crazy but this hotel gave us a sense of calmess and cosyness. Beautiful interior, very cosy rooftop bar (and not overpriced), staff friendly and just overall really really recommend this place. theres a big market nearby lots of places to eat. The only.minus was the wifi barely working : ))

Partner

2/10

Poor

13 Nov 2015

Verified traveler

Don't go to India

This hotel is in one of the worst neighborhoods of Delhi. My reservation went straight to a travel agency where I was given the hard sell to book tours. The food in the roof top restaurant is only fair and if you don't tip, the service is poor and with a bad attitude. The staff speaks some English but purposefully makes out like they don't understand what you want or need.

8/10

Excellent

06 Oct 2015

Verified traveler

Great option for Delhi

Stayed here for 2 nights, staff were great, rooms were pretty clean, great architecture etc. Overall, this is a great hotel if you want to be in this part of Delhi. I would stay here again.

10/10

Exceptional

15 Apr 2015

Enlisa

Cohesive Implemented Rajasthani Mood

Lovely ambience especially in rooms with balcony facing the street, inspite of noicy mornings, beautiful furnitures all over the hotel and an excellent top roof restaurant with very nice decorations and service

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

23 Mar 2015

Jewel

right in the center of Delhi

a good location to experience the real Delhi, right in the center of it.
For the price, it is a good option
The staff do a good job of accommodating your needs
the food is good and reasonably priced
I overall enjoyed my stay here and would come back

6/10

Pleasant

19 Jan 2015

Diplomatic traveller

Could be nicer

This is my second stay at the hotel and now noticed that the hotel needs some renovation. To be honest is it a bit rundown and needs a facelift.

6/10

Pleasant

16 Jan 2015

Verified traveler

Comfortable...

But as usual, indian forget there are clients and use to make noise all the time.
They also should think.about replacing tv screen by flat ones....

8/10

Excellent

11 Dec 2014

Mark

Great old-school budget hotel

This is a great budget hotel. For the money, it's a fabulous hotel and, what's more, a great experience. As others have mentioned, if this is your first encounter with New Delhi or with India, the neighborhood will probably scare you at first until you discover that it's just a typical neighborhood. The street looks more like an alley, filled with dogs, donkeys, horses, people sleeping on cots outside, etc. The interior of the hotel is unique and feels authentic. Very cool courtyard in the center, around which all the floors and staircases are built. Great care was obviously taken with the furnishings inside the room and out, with lots of nice carved pieces, statuary, paintings, etc. If you are looking for a modern hotel, this is not the place for you; but if you are looking for a clean, well-kept, if somewhat down on it's heels, place with an older feel and some character, this IS the place. Simple, but thoughtfully decorated rooms. Plenty of hot water. Ceiling fans. Extremely friendly staff. Fantastic roof-top restaurant. Located reasonably near the train station and old Delhi and an easy walk to Connaught Place.
While the staff is very friendly and the service is very very good, they are not tourist guides or tourist info specialists. Do not expect to rely on them for travel or tourist advice. Their are plenty of those in the neighborhood, and some hang around the hotel, but the hotel staff themselves don't really know anything outside of the hotel walls.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

13 Aug 2014

Alison & Debbie

Oasis in Delhi madness

Two female travelers first time in India ....airport pick up ,very helpful staff ,traditional hotel with colourful rooms clean comfy bed,tasty meals up on rooftop more than happy with this hotel choice we even arranged a driver guide over our stay to see the sights reasonable price ...do not be put off by the back street situation please or you will miss out !!

8/10

Excellent

13 Aug 2014

India novices

Small oasis in centre of city a total surprise !!

Do not be put off by the street where this little traditional hotel lies you will miss a treat ....the Jyoti has tradition and a staff who are genuinely helpful .Clean room all you need in it the price is fair and meals on the roof area tasty .....nothing ever was an effort .We two women travellers felt safe here and completely recommend it :-)

8/10

Excellent

07 Jul 2014

Meg

Helpful hotel

The hotel was great which was a good job because Hotel.com had taken the money and failed to make the booking. We had stayed at the hotel before so they knew us and were very kind and helpful and sent for the Hotel.com rep the next day who did his best. The hotel was fully booked and they kindly let us stay across the road at their sister hotel and gave us two rooms instead of the triple that we had booked. When we did move back into the Jhoti Mahal one of us had to sleep on the floor. We had booked a triple and the hotel said they never take triple room bookings. Had we been visiting Delhi for the first time arriving late at night it would have been a disaster....we shall not use Hotel.com again.

10/10

Exceptional

08 Apr 2014

Eve S.

Convenient to Metro, Amazing Staff, Quiet Retreat

The Jyoti Mahal was the perfect place to retreat from the bustle of Delhi, yet be close to markets, and other attractions. The staff couldn't do enough to make us comfortable, and the rooftop restaurant was inviting and relaxing, whether having a delicious meal, or just spending the afternoon reading.

6/10

Pleasant

21 Feb 2014

Lee

Acceptable

Friendly staff, room is very traditional and decoration especially the door lock !

8/10

Excellent

08 Feb 2014

Verified traveler

Unique Hotel

This hotel is for those who want a unique experience. The hotel is beautiful and the staff is very helpful. Breakfast on the roof was incredible. The surrounding neighborhood was iffy but I had no problems. I recommend staying here!

6/10

Pleasant

21 May 2013

Kareena

Friendly staff

Friendly front desk staff. Centrally located and very comfortable room for a upper range budget hotel in pahar ganj. Nice decor and surprisingly clean. But no airport pick up as arranged. And totally uninterested to repair tv.

8/10

Excellent

11 Mar 2013

Verified traveler

good downtown location

very intersting and pleasant furniture and architecture style; nice rooftop restaurant
staff very helpful but sometimes a bit disorganized

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2013

Woodentop

single person perfect

really welcoming staff, entrance area makes a real impression and that continues into the rooms. Roof top restaurant is great although the service is sometimes a bit slow.Well situated for Metro and shopping.

8/10

Excellent

05 Dec 2012

Verified traveler

beautiful oasis in delhi

An oasis in the Delhi craziness. As a first visit to India, touched down at airport and was relieved that arrangements to pick us up were reliably done. Hotel had good safe food both Indian and western. Good advice was given when needed. The hotel is a 20 minute walk to train station or less by motor. The train station is the only, only, only place to buy tickets. Accept none of the many street offers for travel service. Proximity to station helps with next leg of journey. The hotel makes for a good stop for rest of journey.also the hotel is beautiful, with graceful arches around a courtyard, antique lanterns and a pretty rooftop lounge with colorful cushions and chill vibe.
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4/10

Poor

02 Aug 2012

LeoninJapan

Jyoti Mahal

The people in the hotel were nice enough, and I was pleased with the food, but the area immediately around the hotel is quite noisy and dirty. If you are looking for a nice clean environment, you should probably look elsewhere.

2/10

Poor

25 Jun 2012

Matthew

Disappointment and frustration

Staff totally incapable of the most basic service: arranging taxis. Despite having notified the staff the afternoon before the vehicle was required and also explaining in great detail the critical nature of the taxi being arranged so we would make our appointment time -- the vehicle was NOT arranged by the next morning and the staff were completely incapable of sorting it out in less than 45 minutes. As a result of this incompetence we missed our appointment in the British High Commission -- which had been arranged after a 14-month wait -- and we were forced to extend our stay in India and re-arrange our flights at great expense. Needless to ay: We moved to a different hotel and did not look back.

8/10

Excellent

28 Mar 2012

Rasmus, Denmark

Cosy hotel, good location, good price.

The restaurant on the roof top was ok, but the service of the staff need a brush up - English skills of the staff was limited. However, the roof terrace was great! Nice place to relax, excellent to sit and read a book, have a cold soda. Hotel should improve the roof terrace further, plenty of room to take some non-used space and create a perfect spot for relaxation.

Overall very positive experience, would definitely recommend to others. We are a group of four, all would come back.

6/10

Pleasant

27 Mar 2012

RoadTripTraveler

Colorful Place to stay

The hotel was maybe 2 1/2 Stars, I wouldn't give three, was a breath in the chaotic area around who is the main bazar, we had a good time in this hotel, the terrace at the rooftop, was a really typical and nice place to have dinner, the staff really helpful, the room was “Clean” I think in India itself its hard to have it real clean, and also near the hotel there was some construction happening, so the dust its an everyday thing in India in general, the shower its not separated from everything else (no curtain) no shampoo at the bathroom, the bed was clean (important) the area around its “the place” to walk around have in mind that you are in India, free Wi-Fi (nice) in general the place its really colorful and typical place to stay in, I wouldn’t mind to stay there again.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

23 Mar 2012

Mire

Good for the prise

The staff was helpfully,the location not too far to the monuments.

Family

8/10

Excellent

21 Mar 2012

Verified traveler

A jewel in the heart of Delhi

I have to say this was a great find. The service was the best I have experienced in India and the hotel has a great ambience. The rooms are fairly basic and wi-fi is a bit flaky but the food made up for it. Well located in the heart of main bazaar and convenient for the metro. I would stay again and have recommended it to friends that visit Delhi often.

4/10

Poor

14 Feb 2012

Pamela

Cultural reality check

The hotel is in the heart of Delhi in an area that a typical american tourist will find frightening when fresh off the plane. That was our initial reaction. Upon further experience, it is not all that different than most streets in Delhi. I chose this hotel for location, as Mapquest determined it's location was blocks from the Nizamuddin train station. This in fact was not correct.
The hotel itself is old and, again, not up to usual american standards. The rooms and linen were clean.The bathroom was open style with shower over a drain in the floor, open to sink and toilet. The staff was very kind and helpful with our needs. They tried to help when my electrical adapter did not work with the outlets and were a good resource for information. Rooms are locked from the inside with bolts, and outside with a beautiful padlock.
It was fine for the one night stay for us, but if you are looking for something at least as good as say a Motel 6 level, this isn't the place. But if you're willing to take on a cultural adventure...a welcome to Delhi cultural reality check, this is a good start.

6/10

Pleasant

10 Feb 2012

Albert

Tourist Place

The hotel is close to an area where many Western tourists stay and such there are many little restaurants with western food, souvenir shops, internet cafes, etc. and other hotels.
And it is not to far away form New Delhi and some of the tourist attractions.
The people in the hotel are polite and provide good service. The hotel itself (and the rooms) is an old charming building but a little bid run down.