Somewhere between a boutique hotel and a homestay, B-Nineteen, named after its address in upmarket Nizamuddin East, is a welcome refuge in a tough city; a place for the smart independent traveller who wants to be in the heart of things but still demands a little luxury.

Designed by Boston-based architect owners Janis and Rajive, the space has been built with a great understanding of air and light and with views of the neighbouring Humayun’s Tomb in mind.

The location of B Nineteen is outstanding: the immediate area is a sanctuary but gives easy and quick access to the rest of Delhi.

After a day spent out among it, whether working, shopping or sightseeing, it’s a pleasure to come back here and recharge. It’s also an effective base for a longer stay, with plenty of storage space, satellite TV, high speed Internet, and great home cooked food giving a lovely sense of comfort.

The communal atmosphere and shared balconies make it well suited to travelers looking to meet other people or avoid the loneliness that can come with the larger hotels, but there’s privacy too and no pressure to mix with other guests.

Service is low-key but friendly and efficient, with Aditi the manager a constantly reassuring presence; smart, cheerful and happy to help with any problems that might arise, including booking train tickets at the nearby station.