Booking a trip is exciting—but also overwhelming. Should you pick a hotel or homestay? How do you know if the photos match reality? Is the neighborhood safe? Don’t worry—we’ve been there too. After years of traveling and hosting, we put together this guide of the Top 10 things every traveler should check before booking a stay in Delhi or Gurgaon. Save this list—it will make your travel smoother and stress-free. ✨
1. Best Time to Visit ⏰
Delhi NCR has extreme seasons. The best time to visit is October–March when days are cool and pleasant. Summers (April–June) can touch 45°C, and monsoon (July–Sept) brings humidity and waterlogging. Winter mornings can be foggy but magical. Plan your bookings accordingly.
2. Location Matters More Than You Think 📍
A beautiful room means little if you spend hours stuck in traffic. Always check how close your stay is to metro stations, airports, or business hubs. Gurgaon has excellent metro connectivity—staying near MG Road or CyberHub can save time. In Delhi, areas like Hauz Khas, Connaught Place, or Vasant Kunj balance culture, food, and convenience.
3. Power Backup is a Must 🔌
Yes, power cuts still happen. A property with inverter backup or a generator saves you from sweltering heat or interrupted Zoom calls. Don’t assume—it’s better to ask upfront. We personally test this during our property visits before onboarding hosts.
4. Internet Speed 💻
For digital nomads or even casual Netflix binge-watchers, Wi-Fi speed makes or breaks a stay. Ask for screenshots or details of broadband providers. Pro tip: JioFiber and Airtel are more reliable in Delhi NCR than smaller ISPs.
5. Check-In & Check-Out Rules 🕑
Most properties follow a 2:00 PM check-in and 11:00 AM check-out schedule. But what if your flight lands at 6:00 AM? ✈️ Hosts usually need a buffer between guests to clean and reset the space, so flexibility is limited. Here’s a tip: request early check-in on the same day rather than asking days in advance. Hosts can often give a confident “yes” once they see the room is ready.
While you wait, make the most of your morning. Explore a nearby breakfast café, sip on freshly brewed coffee, or enjoy a healthy meal before heading into the exciting stay you’ve booked. 🥐☕ Sometimes those extra hours turn into the perfect start to your trip.
6. Safety & Security 🔐
Always prioritize safety. Look for secure entry, CCTV, neighborhood reviews, and clear house rules. Solo travelers should confirm lighting in surrounding streets and gated access. It’s not about paranoia—it’s about peace of mind.
7. Local Food & Dining 🍲
Delhi NCR is a foodie paradise! From Paranthe Wali Gali in Old Delhi to cyber cafés in Gurgaon, food is everywhere. But here’s the hack: check how close your stay is to trusted restaurants and delivery apps. Nobody wants to travel 5 km for a midnight snack. We often ask hosts to suggest their 3 favorite local eats to include in listings.
8. Transparency on Amenities 🛁
Before you book, confirm the basics: air conditioning, hot water, toiletries, water purifier, laundry, kitchen facilities. If it’s not in the description, ask. Good hosts don’t hide details. We made this a rule at Rukiye Zara: what you see is what you get. 🪞
9. Cancellation Policies 📜
Life happens—plans change. Always read cancellation and refund policies. Some places allow full refunds up to 24 hours before arrival; others deduct heavily. Rukiye Zara gives hosts options for policies, but we make them clear upfront so guests never face last-minute shocks.
10. Host Communication 📱
This is the #1 sign of a good stay. Send a pre-booking message. If the host replies quickly and politely, you’re in safe hands. If they take 2 days or sound vague, imagine what support will be like during your trip. We constantly guide our hosts to maintain proactive communication—because it builds trust faster than anything else.
From the Founders’ Desk 💡
When we started Rukiye Zara, we weren’t just thinking about listings—we were thinking about our own travel experiences. I, Safiya value time as the most expensive currency. “If a guest wastes hours due to unclear processes, that’s a cost we’ll never recover,” she says. Sandeep, on the other hand, obsesses over transparency in systems—making sure every price, feature, and rule is upfront. Together, these mindsets shaped our platform into something we wished existed when we were just travelers.
Final Word 🌟
Booking a stay in Delhi NCR doesn’t have to feel like guesswork. If you keep these 10 points in mind—timing, location, power, internet, rules, safety, food, amenities, cancellation, and communication—you’ll filter smarter and travel happier. And if you want to skip the endless scroll, you know where to look: Rukiye Zara.
