It’s as though the mountain went to Mohammed. That’s what a posh place in Paharganj feels like.
When we decided to review Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station, friends and extended family were (understandably) incredulous: “Paharganj has a good hotel?! Good enough to review??”… “You’re going to Paharganj with the baby? You sure about this…?”
Well, we were. And our little young family loved it. As we knew we would, having enjoyed the brand’s hospitality at their very first address when we were still 2.5 pax. Why even bother to visit then? Because we take our brief of authentic first-person experience informing our views pretty seriously at OT, and we knew you wouldn’t want us to miss this fresh little flower that’s sprung up in the midden heap that passes by the name of Paharganj.
Book a Bloomrooms next time you take a train to the capital. You can thank us later. After you have washed the noxious fumes out of your throat with that citrus-scented cold water waiting at the reception. After you have washed the IRCTC grime off in the rainshower stocked with Gilchrist & Soames toiletries and shaved off your overnight stubble at the European-style vanity. After catching forty winks in that bouncy bed. And after the cheap and best breakfast buffet with a proper cappuccino. After you return from your Connaught Place jaunt that the free shuttle bus brought you to. And only after you have refilled the thoughtfully provided bottle of mineral water from the free mineral-water fountain. Then you can thank us.
Interestingly, this new hotel inhabits an old favourite address. We knew — and we liked — this Art Deco building as the Airline Hotel. Yes, the rooms are now half the size, but they are fresh and clean and well-lit, with lots of windows and glass walls and mirrors bouncing the sunshine around the kota and wood floors; many access the balcony if you must smoke. The Amici café/restaurant is a good match for the brand. Extra petals strewn here that we didn’t notice at the Link Rd (New Delhi) property: an old-fashioned elevator to complement the sweeping but steep staircase; a free morning tea/coffee station; and several phones dotted around for free local calls. Prices at Bloomrooms are competitive and backpacker-friendly. The facilities are flashpacker posh.
The information
Where: Diagonally down the road from the railway station
Accommodation: 50 rooms in three categories: compact, standard and value
Tariff: Rs 1,299-2,300 (compact), Rs 1,700-3,100 (standard) and Rs 1,800-3,300 (value), with seasonal variations
Contact: 011-41225666, bloomroomshotel.com