[justmakebelieve]

Some people seem to enter a new city, and within ten minutes, they've found a hotel with ensuite bathroom, with working hot water and toilet, satellite TV, towels, AC, breakfast included etc etc. All for about 20p....

Me....I manage to find a hotel which lacks amenities, and charges me the earth....

I'm off to India for 6 months in October (teaching in Himachal Pradesh for 2 months, then probably Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Rajasthan) and will have a max budget of 400rupees a night. Travelling on my own, which I know tends to bump up prices.

So, any top tips for finding good cheap hotels/guesthouses?

[Casey]

Many places have areas with hotels grouped together.  I generally pick one from a guidebook and have the driver take me there.  When I arrive I check it out, if I don't like it I look around the area.  Often, once a place is listed in a book the price goes up.  If you do a bit of research you can usually find a place pretty quickly.  We managed to find places ranging from 300 to 550r per night.  I know people have gone cheaper...you just may need to look a bit longer but they are there.  Also, ask other travellers where they are staying and how they like it.

[WonderWomanUSA]

Maybe by the time you are ready to pack your bags, several of our members will have uploaded info about the hotels they stayed at and liked -- or didn't like.

And yes, as Casey recommends, pick out a couple from your guidebook and have a look at what's available. Spending one night in a hotel, while you continue to look at others, doesn't obligate you to stay there for the full time you're in town.

It does help, however, to have a more specific destination than "Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Rajasthan" when you are asking about hotels. A great place in Jodhpur is no use to you if you're only going to Jaipur.... know what I mean?

[justmakebelieve]

Thanks for those

WonderWoman - sorry, should have been clearer, I've not worked out exactly what I'm doing yet, so wasn't trying for specific hotel suggestions. I've already started taking biro and highlighter to my guide book whenever anyone mentions a hotel in my pricerange somewhere I'm thinking of going.

[captmahajan]

I discovered this driving from hyderabad to delhi a few years ago...

use the tourist department hotels (easily checked on state government websites) or at least use them as a backup. they meet normal needs, have good locations and are not expensive.

unless, of course, you have done some research or someplace has been recommended.

[cyberhippie]

Well one method I employ is ask the tout or rickshaw driver and tell him your budget and what you are looking for...... TV etc. It's worked well for me down the years and I really don't mind the tout or ricky wallah getting a 20 rupee consideration for this!!
I've never had this tip from the hotel passed on to my bill NEVER!! So it's sometimes a good way to find something that suits you!!

Sometime we just tour around in a rickshaw until we've found what we want, or if I know the place I dump my bags on someone and we go off in search of what is available.

WWUSA's method we use often as well, stay a night and find something more suitable for the next day!

[maharaj]

The feeling of knowing you have a place to sleep is like a sense of accomplishment for me.  I know I will get something, so no need to get stressed.  I am starting to look at this like shopping for clothes or shoes, where we all love sales.  I am getting very used to saying no thanks; I will keep looking.  It is very important to be happy with our hotel choices.

Maha

[Somerset]

This might be cheating, but I just check the Lonely Planet for hotels in my price range, and then search the internet for reviews of the hotel. I always have the itinerary worked out before I head off, which might not be adventurous enough for some...

[captmahajan]

cyberhippie, on Jun 5 2006, 05:31 PM, said:

Sometime we just tour around in a rickshaw until we've found what we want, or if I know the place I dump my bags on someone and we go off in search of what is available.
WWUSA's method we use often as well, stay a night and find something more suitable for the next day!

yeah, thats what I do if we are driving.

though sometimes we have picked an inappropriate place because we are all just tired and want a bath and sleep!

[capeleonord]

I look for more pocket friendly options,so the Three Star and Budget Hotels are a good alternative. Offering some of the premier stay facilities at reasonable prices, these hotels draw a lot of people from far and wide.

Edited by capeleonord, 12 June 2010 - 10:50 AM.

[Chetan]

Hello capeleonord , any suggestions on the hotels that you have visted ?

[123mamta]

Thanks!!


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