As New Delhi and its suburbs grow as the commercial hub of the country – you are more and more likely to find yourself in this city for business. Whether you’re in town for work, an early morning flight – or maybe you’re flying the plane! – Delhi is one place where it helps to know where you’ll be staying before you get there.

Of course, it’s not all about business, if you’ve never been to Delhi (or in the last 10 years) – the tiem to go is now. From its ancient minarets and forts scattered around the city to its sprawling malls and from its strong classical music traditions to some very avant garde restaurants – New Delhi has it all.

But like any city in the world, you need an insider to show you the way. Forget the large hotels and stay at local B&B to really get to know the city.

Here’s our list of the greenest, most peaceful places to spend your time in New Delhi:

Aamantran B&B – A relaxed, homely stay in a leafy, quiet part of town. 

An eight bedroom bungalow that feels like home, in the safe (posh) and quiet South Delhi community of  Panchsheel Park, just minutes away from all the action the city has to offer. Your hosts are warm and gracious; interesting people making for some great conversations and the meals are simple, hearty and home cooked.

Our Tip: Change into your jammies after a hard day’s work, put your feet up and shed the day’s weariness while sipping a cool beer in the living room or wake up late on a Saturday morning and have a home cooked breakfast surrounded by beautiful old trees up on the terrace. This is a place to come back to relax in, not for a luxurious stopover. Prices start from INR 3400 per couple per room including breakfast and wireless internet

Amarya Haveli – Colourful, comfortable and very boho-chic.

This two-floor guesthouse tucked away in Hauz Khas Enclave, a leafy South Delhi neighbourhood, has six mid-size rooms with colour themes that correspond to various regions in the Indian landscape. The rooms are fabulous and the property is close to one of Delhi's most beautiful parks, complete with deer and lake, and the city's most boho chic market complex – Hauz Khas Village.

Our Tip: Bring your lover with you, even if you’re in town for business. The highlight is its gorgeous terrace space complete with cane shadings, fairy lights and hanging cloth lanterns – perfect for a romantic evening under the stars. Prices start from INR 6100 per couple per day including breakfast.

G-49 B&B –  Quaint, artistic and the perfect place to discover the city from.

A beautiful building and B&B, this is an artistic space with great personality, though the three most appropriate words to describe it are location, location, location! From the call of Azan, the Sufi sounds of the dargah, to the piercing, shrieking whistle of rail engines; from the hustle and bustle of everyday markets and the train station, to the quiet sounds of the residential neighbourhoods. Welcome to Nizamuddin, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city.

Our Tip: Stay here a bit longer than you need to so you can (re) discover Delhi. Walk across to Connaught Place, the famous Dargah of Saint Hazrat Nizzamuddin Auliya and discover monuments on your own. Get back just in time for a luxurious shower in their beautiful bathrooms.  Prices start from INR 3000 per couple per room including breakfast

Amarya Garden – Colonial, elegant, with splashes of contemporary chic and very low impact.

This 4-bedroom colonial-style bungalow with oodles of style is full of little surprises. Like the garland of fresh jasmine wound around your cupboard handle or the scented oil that burns in the corner of your room. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, the staff is friendly and courteous and the décor is a delightful blend of contemporary chic interspersed with splashes of vibrant colours – sometimes in the form of an aubergine-coloured glass chandelier!

Our Tip: Though Defence Colony is literally bursting with exciting restaurants and bars, make sure you stay back here for at least one dinner.  The food, made by the in-house cook, is excellent and in the evening, the garden transforms into a pretty space complete with wrought iron furniture and fairy lights wound around trees. Prices start from INR 7750 per couple per room including breakfast and internet access.

The Estate B&B – Quiet, comfortable, very close to the airport…and almost a five star hotel, but without the prices!

A quiet B&B, it has the advantage of being quite close to the airport but away from the hustle bustle that comes with the city. There is a large garden and all the views from the rooms look out to tall Ashoka trees. The rooms have all the trappings of a typical hotel room (a mini fridge, hair dryers etc) , so this is a good alternative to those used to five star comforts. Of course, everything in the room is made of indigenous, natural materials and the overall feel is homely in spite of all the frills.

Our Tip: Ask for the room on the top most floor – it has its own private terrace garden. Perfect for sun bathing! And have at least one meal here, you’ll be asked before hand what you would like and it will be executed to perfection! The produce is either from the owners farm or sourced locally from the near by village – making it a high possibility that all the food you are eating in organic. Prices start from INR 3500 per couple per room including breakfast.

The Banyan Tree – A fabulous fort like farmhouse full of little eccentricities and a huge garden.

This eccentric home is full of surprises – the spaces and shapes and sizes of the rooms and the passageways are confusing but fun and it’s all twisted staircases and low arches. There are lovely little courtyards with creepers and a terrace sit out from which you can see the sunsets. It all feels like the Indian version of an old Italian villa and a little bit like a surreal dream. The rooms are huge, fabulous and beautifully decorated.

Our Tip: Come here with your family or bunch of friends; the house is worth having all to yourself and since it isn’t exactly centrally located, you’ll enjoy the company. Even better, this home has been the location for many a dream wedding – so if you have your special day coming soon, book quick! Prices start from INR 3500 per couple per room  including breakfast.