When I arrived in India for the first time in 2016, my first port of call was the capital city, New Delhi. I found out about the highly rated Smyle Inn Hostel and made this my base for my first three nights in New Delhi before night training it to Mumbai.
When I Facebooked the shock that I was finally in India, I was suddenly inundated with messages from people for some reason. I couldn’t fathom it. My stories of backpacking in Antarctica, Adammia, Podjistan, Chernobyl, Ladonia and Afghanistan etc. all passed by un-noticed. People only wanted to read my stories on India. A few of my friends and followers by crazy coincidence had also stayed at Smyle Inn. Nigel was here in 2007 and crazyily Josh was here just 24 hours before me! This is definitely the best backpacker option for New Delhi. Here are five stonewall reasons to stay in Smyle Inn.
1.Brilliant Location in the Heart of Main Bazaar
Location wise, Smyle Inn is perfect. It is on a wee side street off the Main Bazaar. Two metro stations are nearby.
There are great cheap shops and restaurants all around. The relentless real life city buzz of New Delhi is here for you to savour.
2.Excellent Free Breakfast on the Rooftop Garden
Every morning between 8 -10.30 am on the rooftop garden you are served a consistent breakfast. Tea and coffee is all you can drink. It’s a really friendly vibe and you can sit on the rooftop garden admiring the views and chatting to fellow backpackers!
3.Backpacker Value
For a budget backpacker, this place is spot on. Great value rooms and if you travel together with a few others, a double or triple room will save you money. Even better if you stay for three nights, you get 5% off. If you stay for 6 nights, you get a free pick-up! Owner Harish knows a thing or two about hospitality and pricing too – a great guy. http://www.smyleinn.com/offers.html
4.Quotes Everywhere
If you read my Sunday’s Inspiration column, you’ll know how much I love quotes. Hostel Smyle Inn has quotes everywhere – on walls, the doors, at reception! Here are some of them!
5. Friendly Staff
The staff at Smyle Inn naturally smile! Hence the title of course. Harish was such a welcoming host and the lads Mohan and Jitendar always looked after me.
Here is the address of the Smyle Inn in New Delhi, India:
Smyle Inn
916
Gali Chandi Wali
Main Bazaar
Pahar Ganj
New Delhi – 110055
India
http://www.smyleinn.com/index.html
This is far and away the best backpacker hostel in New Delhi and I may well return here when I visit the city again. I am now in Mumbai!
Here are some videos I made in the Smyle Inn,
Really exciting seeing you in India. Can’t wait for you to write more on your experience. Your train ride experience made me laugh so hard till my tummy hurts. The snoring and farting man beside you !! hahaha!!
Hi Ganesan, thanks for the comment. Yes, it’s a crazy experience for sure so far, loving it! Safe travels. Jonny
Hey Jonny. Age a great hostel in Dehli mate.
I wish I found this hostel in 2012. I stayed at hotel PayPal on the Main Street and they charged me 60 bucks for 2 nights, 2 airport transfer and a bottle of water and worst of all they put me on a 3rd party bus tour that broke down outside the Indira Gandhi Memorial.
I hope you haven’t got ripped off in Mumbai yet
Hi Martin, thanks for the comment, hotel PayPal?? Even the name would put me off, thats another hilarious backpacking story. We’ve all been ripped off at some point, next time stick to the Smyle Inn – loved it. Safe travels. Jonny
Sorry Jonny I meant Hotel Payal. Stupid ipad autocorrect.
I think next time I arrive in Dehli ill take the metro.
Hi Martin, yeah the metro is so cheap. Some journeys I paid 4 rupees for! And I met fellow backpackers who were paying 400 Rupees for Tuk Tuks! The Metro is the way to get around Delhi for sure. PayPal hostel sounds ridiculous, would hate one called that! Safe travels. Jonny
[…] While it did upset me that these girls believed this garbage, then I realised that new travellers may not be fully aware of these types of scams. So please please be aware. Taxi drivers in India (New Delhi in particular) are not to be trusted, neither are tuk tuk or rickshaw drivers. Take the hint and use the fast, cheap, safe and clean Metro system. There is a metro straight from the airport to New Delhi station, which is less than a 10 minute walk to the Smyle Inn hostel. […]
[…] Apparently as of August 2016, this hostel is no longer running, so get yourself booked into the fantastic Smyle Inn in New Delhi […]
[…] instead of visiting an Indian embassy (like the one I went to in Bishkek). I based myself in the Hostel Smyle Inn and then backpacked the key […]
hey jonny most welcome back in india again thanks wo comming
Hi Udit, thanks for the comment and apologies for the delayed response. I have been suffering from long term depression caused by liars. I am glad you enjoyed my post on India. Stay safe. Jonny