[northernlight83]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning on heading over to India for the first time late August, and travel for at least six months, but could be a longer - we'll have to wait and see whether or not I fall in love with India!  

Anyway, my plan is just to go wherever the wind takes me, and probably to follow the cooler temperatures around.  Maybe I'll stay in a few places for a while, maybe I'll hop from one place to another.  But I just thought I'd ask everyone what their favourite budget place to stay in India is?  Any hidden gems?  Anywhere with a homely atmosphere, or amazing views, or beautiful rooms?  It'd be great to hear what recommendations everyone has!

All suggestions would be very, very welcome.    Thank you all!

[Shiver me Timbers]

Hi! There are members here who have been travelling to India for decades who will have loads of great places to recommend. Still I'll start you off with a few.

In Amritsar, you can stay in pilgrim dorms at the Golden Temple for free. It's one of the most atmospheric holy places in India, not to be missed IMO.

In Hampi there are a string of very cheap places across the river from the main village with nice gardens, etc.

In Diu you can sleep on the roof of an old Portuguese church - there are great BBQ's here every other night.

Finally, in the Andaman's (recommended if you're going to India for six months), get a hammock and sleep at the far end of beach #7 - an unmissable experience.

That's all from me, like I said, the more experienced members wil be along soon with some great recommendations for you. Enjoy your trip!

Conor.

Edited by Shiver me Timbers, 10 May 2009 - 02:06 AM.

[northernlight83]

Hi Conor,

That's great, thanks - will definitely take all those into account.

The Golden Temple sounds amazing  

Thanks for taking the time to reply!
Nicola

[iwanttogoback]

in varanasi i stayed at ganpati guesthouse, right on the river. the view from the balcony was stunning. it was cheap, clean, and the staff were really friendly and helpful. not a lot in the way of mod cons, but the location was fantastic.

[northernlight83]

That's great, thank you!

Anybody else got any recommendations they'd like to share?

Thank you all very much!
Nicola

[john.sw]

Friends of ours sometimes stay and the Ritz Hotel in Mysore.

The location is good and the food is good too (we had lunch there yesterday).

I haven't seen the rooms, but I'm told they're clean, non-a/c and about Rs. 400 per night.

[ChrisJ]

I'm a fan of the Broadway Hotel in Kolkatta. Nice old world style building away from the tourist area. Plus I love the noisy bar!  

Rooms from Rs 450

http://business.vsnl.com/broadway/

Also the Tibetan Ashoka guesthouse in Dharamsala. Good views from the roof. Rooms from approx. Rs100

Not a cheap option - but I had a 2 nights last month in Johnsons Lodge in Manali. Thought I would throw this one in anyhow as it was very nice and they do very good pizza! Rooms from about Rs2000 (Eek!)

http://www.johnsonslodge.com/

I also remember staying in a very nice cheap guesthouse in Varanasi just above Kedar Ghat many years back. Well - more of a homestay I guess. I have very fond memories of sitting on the owners balcony overlooking the river. Not even sure if I would recognise the place now, but it makes me wonder now why I don't look for more homestay options. Maybe its my love of noisy bars!  

[cyberhippie]

Many Moons ago we had a room for six weeks at the Ashoka in Mccleodganj, at 99 rupees a night, it was on the end of the building, with three picture windows looking out over the town, valley and snowcaps. Waking up in the morning was a joy.

Sadly the extended hotel no longer offers this kind of view.

Khim's above Almora is a wonderful budget spot, individual cottages built in a fir forest come orchard.
The views down into the valley and across to Nada Devi are sublime.

The silence is only pierced by the ocassional braying donkey, or if the season is right wedding bands marching between local houses.
Birdwatching here is fantastic.

I've stayed in quite few other places but some things have to remain secret you know what I mean!
oh the MPTDC place in Tarkarli is wonderful, a mid range place I've seen few better places for the price on the beach!

[AlanD]

As you are planning to visit the Nubra Valley in Ladakh, I would suggest the Snow Leopard Guest House in Hundar village. It's a very peaceful place with a marvellous flower filled garden to relax in and the owner also grows vegetables to supply the Indian Airforce base (out of bounds) a few kilometers up the road, so the food is fresh and healthy.

They haven't got many rooms though, about six or seven, so this is a place that you should try and book in advance from Leh. We went by vehicle on a package from a travel company in Leh which had pre-booked us but you can also make your own arrangements and take a bus from Leh - I think they don't run every day but you can find out from the bus station in Leh.

I think this is the phone number  - (01980) 221097

[iwanttogoback]

chris

i checked out the broadway's website, and i loved this line:

'We're not going overboard about Broadway Hotel's ROOMS,' - click to the pics and you can see why! although at the price they would seem to be excellent value.

if ever i get to kolkatta, i might give it a try.

[jyotirmoy]

Fairlawn hotel is very popular in Kolkata, nice garden and very cosmopolitan atmosphere, the food is excellent too.

[dzibead]

Fairlawn is wonderwomanusa's favorite, I think.

[jyotirmoy]

You are right dzibead, I met wwusa in Kolkata at Fairlawn.

[ChrisJ]

I wouldn't class really The Fairlawn as budget, but if you can't afford to stay there it's still most definitely worth going in for a beer or dinner.

http://www.fairlawnhotel.com/

[ChrisJ]

I forgot to mention the Bellevue in Darjeeling.

Sort of bordering on budget! I think I paid Rs800 last time.

Avoid the lower rooms. Not as nice as the top floor ones.

http://www.bellevueh....com/index.html

Very interesting owner and fires in the rooms and main lounge if you stay in winter

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[jyotirmoy]

Yatri Niwas is a very decent and well located hotel in Hyderabad, quite close to railway station.