Lemon Tree Premier, Delhi Airport

Lemon Tree Premier, Delhi Airport is our mid-range pick for arrivals and departures, and a practical base for anyone whose flights land late or leave early. It stands in Aerocity, the purpose-built hospitality district next to Indira Gandhi International Airport, where a cluster of hotels, restaurants and bars sits away from the traffic of central Delhi. The airport is about ten to fifteen minutes away by car, with a paid shuttle available around the clock, and the Aerocity metro station is a five-minute walk, putting central New Delhi within easy reach. The hotel, built in 2013, has 280 rooms, an outdoor pool with a poolside bar and a children’s pool, the Fresco spa and a health club. Dining includes Citrus Cafe for all-day buffets, Republic of Noodles for Southeast Asian food and the Slounge bar. Parking is free. Expedia rates it very good, at 8.0 from nearly 800 reviews.

Location and getting around: Aerocity is in the south-west of Delhi, beside the airport, and about 13 kilometres from the Qutub Minar. The metro from Aerocity runs into central New Delhi, so Connaught Place and the Imperial area are a short ride, while Old Delhi and the Red Fort take longer by metro or taxi. Day-trip operators to Agra and Jaipur pick up from Aerocity hotels, and the expressway south to Agra and Jaipur is close by, which saves time on early starts.

Rooms: the rooms are bright, clean and modern in Lemon Tree’s cheerful style, with good beds and work desks, and the hotel is non-smoking.

Who it suits: first-timers arriving late, travellers starting a Golden Triangle tour at dawn, and anyone who wants a calm, good-value base with a pool rather than a central address.

Good to know: breakfast is a reasonably priced buffet charged separately unless included, airport shuttles are bookable at the desk, and pets are not allowed.