Accommodation in India - Guesthouses and Hotels
In every destination across India, a diverse range of accommodation options is available for all types of travelers, spanning from high-end hotels and resorts to guesthouses, hostels, and homestays.
India is large and has many destinations. Each destination in India has different accommodation options.
and diverse for travelers of all types ranging from high-class hotels and resorts,
and guesthouses, hostels and home stays.
Types of Accommodation in India: How to Choose Between the Different Room Types Across India
A hotel – as we remember and know it – is an accommodation venue that typically includes meals, room service, and room cleaning with towels, soaps, and the like. If you've ever searched for a hotel in Delhi with a price between 800 rupees per night and 1500 rupees per night, or even 1800 per night, don't expect a hotel like in Israel with room service, cleaning, and breakfast. When they say "hotel" in India, if it's in a major city like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, or Pune, it's reasonable to assume that to find a decent hotel with the basic services expected of any hotel worldwide, the cost per night per room will be no less than 2500-3000 rupees per night. However, to find a hotel offering a variety of services, quality breakfast, a pool, and room service, the cost per night per room will be no less than 3500 rupees, and even then, don't expect a room of the quality of a 5-star hotel in Israel. It could be said that a quality hotel with adequate service at the level found in Israel, a pool, and the various services expected from even the most basic hotel, will cost no less than 5000 rupees per night at best. But hotels at these prices offer proper hotel services: a clean room, linen changes, daily room cleaning, and a rich breakfast with many options, not just Indian dishes. This refers, as mentioned, to a hotel located in one of India's major cities, and not in the suburbs.
How much will a hotel or guesthouse cost in tourist areas in India that are not located in a major city?
A hotel room per night in different regions of India: In most tourist areas in the various villages, you can find a 5-star hotel with good service for a cost of 3000 rupees per night, which is the same level as a hotel that costs 5000 rupees per night or more in Delhi.
In a hotel anywhere in the world that provides a room and accompanying services, when it comes to India, not every hotel provides the basic services found in a standard hotel. This can be understood based on the price per night per room and the area where you are looking for a hotel to stay. There are exceptions where hotel prices will be much higher, sometimes without a clear reason, and sometimes it depends on the season. The prices mentioned above are very general and can vary from one region to another in India.
Guesthouse The ideal accommodation for any backpacker
A guesthouse typically offers accommodation for travelers for one night or more. Some places provide a room with external bathroom and shower facilities. These types of rooms in various villages can cost as little as 400-500 rupees per night.
In most places across popular destinations in India's various villages, guesthouses offer rooms with a toilet and shower, and some will even provide a room with a kitchen. However, in a guesthouse, do not expect to find soap in the shower, a clean towel, or room service (though if there is an on-site restaurant, it is sometimes possible to order food to the room). Nevertheless, a guesthouse in most locations provides a decent room with a bed, toilet, and shower. While traveling, you often don't need more than that.
For most backpackers or those embarking on an extended trip in India—where a key part of such travel is often minimizing costs—it's fair to say that in large cities, a guesthouse room can be found for no less than 800 rupees per night. However, in a city like Mumbai, a simple and small room can cost as much as 1,500 rupees. What would get you an excellent room in almost any other destination will, in Mumbai, typically provide a very basic room, which may not even have a window for ventilation. Consequently, many people choose to find shared rooms, particularly in Mumbai. This is not only the primary way to save on accommodation costs in the city but also an excellent way to meet interesting people traveling from all over the world.
Shared rooms, a way to save costs and on the other hand meet people from all over the world
Dorms (Dormitories / Shared Rooms) Sometimes, establishments offer both private rooms and shared rooms. In most cases, opting for a shared room is cheaper than any private room option. However, throughout India, there are some very high-quality dorms. For instance, in places like Dharamkot and Udaipur, hostels such as "The Hosteller" charge significantly more for a shared dorm bed than a private room would cost elsewhere, yet demand remains high. Many digital nomads specifically seek out this type of accommodation because it is their way of meeting new people, and in some cases, business collaborations are even formed. Therefore, remember that choosing to sleep in a dormitory is not always cheaper than all other options. On the other hand, there are places that offer high-standard shared accommodation, featuring strong internet and facilities tailored for digital nomads. So, while a dorm is not always the most inexpensive choice, it can transform your experience into something uniquely memorable.
There are not many motels in India. However, if you do find one, it is a form of accommodation that falls between a guesthouse and a hotel, potentially offering better rooms than a guesthouse. There are a few amenities they might provide; sometimes, motels supply a clean towel and soap, and perhaps even shampoo, usually at a slightly higher price. Nevertheless, until you arrive and see the rooms for yourself, it is difficult to ascertain the standard and quality of the accommodation, even if it is labeled as a motel.
Camp – In various regions across India, particularly in rural and village areas, a camping accommodation option is available. The lodging is typically in tents, with shared kitchen, toilet, and shower facilities for all tents. This also serves as a way to meet other interesting—and less interesting—people.
Finding a place to stay in India
Booking – A website and application for finding various types of accommodation. The site allows users to easily find detailed information about each room, including a description of the place, photos, location, facilities, ratings, reviews, and comments. Through the platform, users can contact the property owner. Most places offer very flexible cancellation policies, and for the majority of accommodations, payment can be made on-site rather than in advance. (A credit card may sometimes be required for security purposes, even if the payment is processed locally.)
Find out what's happening in India – A user-friendly and convenient platform that aggregates information on all types of businesses for travelers touring India. The platform enables users to search for hotels, drivers, taxis, travel agents, and more. Contacting any business is simple, with the option to call or send a WhatsApp message at the touch of a button. In some destinations, you can even find rickshaw drivers who will take you on various local tours and trips. The businesses you select can be viewed on a map, allowing you to understand their location relative to yours. Additionally, you can access your browsing history and find businesses even when in offline mode.
association – Through this website, you can find rooms across India. It offers several unique options, such as half-day room rentals, and helps you discover other relevant local businesses based on your destination. Visit the site and register to get started.
Airbnb – A website known worldwide for renting apartments and rooms. It can provide an interesting and sometimes even more special experience than staying in the usual places. Here too, you can see detailed information about the business – description, location, photos, reviews and comments, and more. This is an interesting tool that can be enjoyed mainly in large cities and tourist destinations.
