For those who like boutique hotels, and prefer independent accommodations with character to big hotel chains, Delhi has never been a place full of surprises. There are quite a few (impersonal and sad) small-ish hotels in South Delhi, but the choice for travellers in the capital city has typically been between two extremes: the luxurious hotels of Connaught Place and the dreadful guest houses of Paraganj.

But things are finally changing, even in Delhi, and recently we stumbled upon an interesting place strangely called Colaba House. Located in Safdarjung Enclave, Colaba House is a typical South Delhi home which has been renovated and turned into a four (soon to be five) room boutique hotel and decorated in a charming "indo-european" style.

Each of the four rooms, two standard and two suites, is named after a classic wooden yacht and the furniture and decor for the whole house has been personally chosen by the manager - an ex French pilot who has been living in India for over 25 years - with the help of his family and friends.

The result is elegant, relaxing, and personal: the atmosphere is Indian but not too ethnic, nor too cliché. Colaba House is also nicely quiet: though you are in the middle of buzzing South Delhi -which we love- once you step inside you feel like you could be anywhere else, and particularly somewhere calm, maybe on the seaside, with lots of light and plants and flowers.

Colaba House offers all the standard hotel services, plus a familiar atmosphere; the staff is ready to go out of their way to help the guests discovering the city, or running small errands, but though there is a very familiar atmosphere, the service is professional.

So if you are travelling to Delhi, or if someone is visiting you and needs a place to stay, Colaba House is definitely a place to keep in mind.

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