Run by Major Chandra Kant's Singh and his wife Lakshmi, Kotla Bed and Breakfast is a fantastically welcoming home which really is the last word in hospitality; they have been running a homestay for over 20 years. Kotla is great for newcomers to Delhi who want to get an insight into the town, since Chandra Kant is an expert on all things historical, philosophical and anthropological, describing himself as a "self professed Indologist". The couple offer to take the guests on an impromptu tour around the sights of Delhi, focusing on whatever their guests are particularly interested in and making sure they taste examples of some of the best local food in Delhi. You would be hard pushed to find a more informed, articulate and animated guide than Chandra Kant and the tour is about getting a feel for the city rather than just trailing round monuments
The couple lives to the south of the city in Delhi NCR, a relatively new residential area which is fast becoming a hub for swish new entertainment complexes and restaurants, meaning that all is on hand without having to go further into the town. In contrast, the house itself is found on a quiet residential street, providing the city luxury of space, peace and neighborhood sociability. The couple has an inexhaustible amount of local friends who are interesting to meet if guests have time, often ensuing in an involved discussion over a glass of whiskey
The house is full of photographs and eclectic items depicting the familys' past: they are of the Rajput cast and their ancestors lived in the opulent luxury of the Indian upper class. The homestay however has an informal atmosphere: once guests arrive they are encouraged to regard the house as their own, treated as family friends rather than visitors.
|
