Delhi Hotels Cheaper if Booked On-Site?

not_ally

Hello all,

I am planning a trip which includes a stop in Delhi for several days. I'd like to book rooms for myself and my best friend on-line, but the prices vary like crazy for the same hotel(I've checked reviews and prices here, on Thorntree and TripAdvisor) depending on whether they are being cited by individual posters on forums or available on an online site, including the hotel's home page.

I realize that some of the difference might be attributable to room differences, a/c, etc., but these gaps are bigger than that (eg. Hotel Ajanta listed at, varyingly, between 675 rupees/nt and $75 USD a night on different sites.) So I am thinking that maybe some of the posters describing lower prices were able to get them in person?

Would it would be cheaper if (a) my Dad - who is a PIO, lives in Kerala, and has a solid "don't jerk my chain" Indian accent - books the tickets over the telephone or (b) we just wait until we arrive in Delhi and do it in-person? Note that while I am a PIO I was raised mostly in the States and my best friend is a 6 ft gora with a Boston accent, so neither he nor I will be convincing as native negotiators.

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions,

Bindu

laney6

HI,be very careful if you decide to book with the hotel ajanta.I made an enquiry with them weeks ago and i am still being bombarded with emails from them and their `travel agency`.
Not a day goes by without receiving a message.
They seem to be very pushy,make sure you read the reviews first[quite a few negatives]I have already informed them that i wont be staying with them but to no avail!
Im off to delhi in march and i have now booked with the `Eleven` guesthouse{77 positive reviews in the trip advisor].I booked directly with ajay the owner and he is charming!
Happy travels.
laney

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laney

not_ally

Hello Laney,

Thank you for your reply. I had pretty much decided against the Ajanta because of the negative reviews at TripAdvisor. Thank goodness for sites like this - how did people manage in the days before immediate and candid responses from across the world?

At this point I'm thinking of one of the Godwin Hotels, although they too have that web-v-poster discrepancy (web site says $45/nt, posters say much less.) I'm going to check the Eleven Guesthouse right now!

Bindu

Aishah

Generally most prices are more expensive online - fixed prices however at Master Guesthouse, YHA, YMCA, YWCA, Likir House, that I know of. All are clean and o.k. Having your father book by telephone sounds a good idea to me - better than you just turning up. You may be lucky, but often Delhi hotels are heavily booked from time to time - business conferences, trade fairs etc. I've had experience of this happening in recent years. With a lot of hotel sealing (Karol Bagh area particularly) less accommodation is available. So best you book ahead.

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jyotirmoy

Many visitor have heaped praise on Master Guesthouse but you need to book months in advance.

ploink

I've stayed at the Ajanta several times, maybe that's why they now treat me like the queen I am!

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