Small and stylish, with a charming French owner, wonderful food and a relaxed, homely atmosphere, Scarlette Delhi is a welcome addition to the mini-wave of French boutique hotels that have rejuvenated the discerning travellers’ city.

Just two months old at the time of reviewing, Scarlette is the beautifully realised dream of Pauline Bijovet, a Delhi resident of four years, who took over the lease from the previous owners and put her mark down immediately, creating a place in the manner of the maison d’ hote, the traditional small guesthouse of the French countryside attached to a family home, yet also modern, cool and attuned to the demands of this sprawling city.

The ground floor is dominated by the living room, which is partitioned into lounge and dining areas; the former has brown leather couches inviting you to sit and browse through the latest design magazines and french art books surrounded by interesting curios and antique Rajasthani and modernist furniture, while the latter sees a row of tables and chairs soaked in sun from the glass windows above.

A small but lively kitchen is attached to the reception area here, releasing wonderful aromas of baking throughout the day. The rest of the two-storey property contains the four rooms, each with their own design, giving the impression of a home more than a hotel.