In a peaceful residential suburb of Delhi, this small apartment block has been carefully converted into a charming and personal 17-room boutique hotel.

The tasteful, India-themed interiors have been thoughtfully developed over the years by the dedicated and affable owner Mr Rajat, and the property has become almost museum-like with its collection of antiques, art and curios.

20 minutes from the airport and 30+ minutes from the centre of town, Shanti is a good choice for singles or couples transiting or visiting the capital for a few days, or just for those who would rather see an everyday side of Delhi away from the hustle and bustle.

From the basement reception area (which includes a small gym), manager Pooja and the other long-serving staff extend a warm, efficient welcome and keep the whole place spic-and-span. If he’s around, the owner’s extensive knowledge of the city is available to you, and if not there’s still plenty of information provided.

There’s a lot packed into the 3 floors above. A yoga and meditation room on the ground floor and an ayurvedic massage room on the second. There are several common areas for guests with comfy sofas, TV, books, DVDs, Wi-Fi and the odd laptop for guest use.

To top things off there’s a lovely rooftop restaurant with fluttering prayer flags, views across the rooftops and excellent Indian food, plus a kitchen that will happily feed you even in the dead of night.