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How to find a room all by yourself

So have not guide to recommend a guest house? Fear not MSP is here! Chances are you will find a BETTER deal AND without thehoards of tourist. Stay tuned to learn the tricks of travel and never go bedless.

ROOMCHECK LIST

Noise When you enter the room stop and listen what do you here? Is it on the main street? What's near by? Above Below? Is it near the reception? Is above the hotels restaurant? First floor can be noisy while top floor tends to be quieter. (but it can be hotter on the top.) How busy is the guesthouse? Has a large group arrived? Who in the room beside yours? Five sweaty, drunken men?

Mattress. Lift the sheet of the corner of the mattress and let your nose decide. Your nose will know. Avoid any moldy, old mattress, they can make you sick! Also look for any signs of bed bugs (maybe common in Delhi) Look under the pillow for any sign of round brown/red bugs.

Beds. Is the mattress soft enough? One or two single beds VS a double.

Size. Is the room a good size for one person? Are you a couple ? Is it large enough to be comfortable for a night or a week?

Balcony. It is always nice to have a balcony or a good window with a view.

Attached Bath. Look for new guest houses will have nice tiles and fixtures etc. Hot water is nice feature too. Check for mosquitoes. Does the door shut tight? Do the windows have screens?
Internet or TV. These days some guesthouse may offer internet of wifi connection. Television are standard. Small room will television can very noisy by other people watching loud hindi movies all night.
Door Slam. Some guest houses have a problem with door slamming. Avoid.
Cooling. Does it have a good fan? does it actually work, does it go up to'high?' does the fan make a strange noise? Test it first. Does it have air conditioner? Beware of an "air-cooler" in India, This looks like, but are NOT an air conditioner. Is the AC a window mount or wall units? Window unit can be old and noisy and not works so well. Look for a modern wall unit with the AC condensers outside.
Dust. Is there a lot of dust coming in from the road outside such as in the desert?
Mosquitoes. Is there a mosquito net provided? Do the windows have screens? Is there mosquito problem? Sometime you can't notice them until night.
New or old building. Are the ceilings high? Good older solid buildings with high ceiling can be very nice and have natural cooling. Small cramped rooms are very hot and stuffy.

TIP: Avoid the first room they show you. The first room is often the worst one in the house.

Where to look for a room?

_{1. Near the railway or bus station is where most of the guest houses are located, as a general rule this is the same everywhere in Asia. Take a little walk further, what small streets are near by, usual there are some newer places built there.}

_{2. Avoid any hotel or guest house on the main, noisy road. Look just off another quite roadway. Look for a QUITE place, look for signs leading you that away.}

_{3. Look for a newly built guest house, just finish or even partially finished. This is a key, newer palces are always better (everything works.) It's that simple, since they are new no one has heard of them so they need business and are open to discounts.}

_{4. Just beside the "popular place", you'll find some guesthouse where people tend to move to after a few days.}

_{5. Never ask a rickshaw driver for a room!! He will always take you to a commission guest house. THIS WILL BE A RIP OFF!}

_{Now that you found a place that "looks" good leave your pack at the reception and go for a quick CHECK of the room. Always check the room first!}_{If you are a couple or more, one person should go an scout out a good room, while the rest wait with the packs.}