Accommodation

Deluxe Hotels
The facilities extended by India's deluxe hotel chains are comparable with the best in the world. They offer luxurious amenities and world-class decor. Tariff are generally fixed on the European system of 'room rent'. The range of facilities are likely to include choice of restaurants, round- the-clock coffee shop and room service, conferencing facilities, business centre, health club, swimming pool, beauty salon, shopping complex, travel counter, baby-sitter, safe deposit, currency exchange, rooms with attached baths, cable TV and telephones with direct dial facilities. Tourists also have options in booking hotel rooms. They can book rooms online which is a very convenient option. Centralised reservations can also be done through travel agents.

International Chains
After liberalization of the Indian economy which resulted in a spurt in travel to India, several international hotel chains opened shop in India which includes Country Hospitality with all its brands (Regent, Radisson, Country Inns, TGIF), Marriott, Hilton, Park Plaza, Four Seasons and SHPC. Some international brands which were present from earlier times like Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Inter-Continental, Meridian, Quality Inn, Best Western and Kempinski went in for major expansion plans.

Tourist Bungalows -Traveller Lodges
Tourist Bungalows and Traveller Lodges also offer comfortable stay in India. They have both dormitory and room facilities. Some of them may also have restaurants or dining halls with bars. Tourists must go in for advantage booking.

Resthouse / Dak Bungalows
Legacies of the British period, they are normally meant for government officials. However, tourists are also allowed to stay under certain conditions. They are a good option for those travelling by road. The district/local authorities must be contacted well in advance for booking rooms.

Railway Retiring Rooms
Railway Retiring Rooms are most convenient for tourists who have to board an early morning train. Only tourists with a railway ticket or an Indrail Pass can book retiring rooms.

Unusual Stay Options
Apart from the conventional options of stay, there also are a few unique stay options in India. They include the shikaras (boat houses) in the lakes of Kashmir and boat houses in the backwaters of Kerala. In wildlife sanctuaries of Madhya Pradesh, tree-houses are also available for stay. Indigenous, eco friendly mud and thatch units are also available for stay in the nature therapy resorts of south India.

Others
For information on staying with an Indian family as a paying guest, contact the Government of India Tourist Office in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Goa has various paying-guest stay options. Indian Youth Hostels offer accommodation to members and non members; for information, contact:

The Youth Hostels Association of India,
5, Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi-110 021
Tele 26116285fax: 26113469

Accommodation is also available at Salvation Army Hostels, camping sites, Sikh temples and dharamshalas at pilgrim sites.

Heritage Hotels
Heritage hotels may be defined as havelis or palaces of erstwhile Indian rulers of princely states that have been converted into hotels. Some of them are run by hotel chains while some others by royal owner-descendants. The heritage hotel concept originated first in the state of Rajasthan which now has many of them. Some of the other Indian states that have fine heritage hotels are Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttaranchal, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh.

At Heritage Hotels, tourists are given a gracious welcome, stay in rooms that are reminders of the rich princely legacy, enjoy traditional cuisines and performances by folk artists. For details, contact:

Heritage Hotels Association.
9, Sardar Patel Marg, C Scheme,
Jaipur 302001 India
Tele. 91-141-2381906;
Fax: 91-141-2382214.




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