Kozhikode (Calicut)
Built in 1890 to house the Malabar British Club, this slightly worn but quite charming six-room hotel has more character than most other Calicut…
Must-see hotels in South India
Maharashtra
With high service standards and 26 very inviting modish rooms, this newer hotel is starting to show some age, but it's fine value and wildly popular with…
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
One of Alleppey's better non-hostel budget offerings: six spotless rooms with Italian marble floors and, for three of them, garden-facing verandahs,…
Nashik
Friendly Sanil has somewhat spruced up his family villa, which is set in a leafy residential neighbourhood within ambitious walking distance of Ramkund…
Kochi (Cochin)
Coconut palms dot the backwaterfront gardens and Chettinadu tiles adorn the floors at this 120-year-old heritage home, on Vypeen Island 5.5km north of the…
Chennai (Madras)
Run by a helpful, on-the-ball team, these comfy, low-key 'serviced apartments' enjoy an attractive flower-filled setting amid Poes Garden's well-heeled…
Kerala
In a handy little compound tucked back from busy KK Rd, super-central Homestead has a variety of well-maintained budget rooms, the best of them with…
Tamil Nadu
The Swiss-army knife of Kumbakonam hotels, Raya's has something for almost everyone, and can be busy. Service is friendly, but the lower-class rooms feel…
Maharashtra
Located in the back lanes of Matheran village, this small hostel – Matheran's only one – offers cramped dorms, but the private rooms at the front fare…
Mumbai (Bombay)
In an oddly east (but lively) location at Mumbai's BKC business district, this artsy backpackers offers a colourful kitchen plus sturdy six-, eight- and…
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
With six individual cottages dotted across green grounds, this welcoming guesthouse focuses on lakeside charm, swinging hammocks, home-cooked meals and a…
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
The Maharaja of Mysore’s exquisite Anglo-Indian summer palace is full of totally over-the-top princely colonial style. All 19 rooms are gigantic suites,…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Mumbai's first vaguely hostel-like backpackers features a spiffed-up lobby (pallet-supported lounges, for example) but the keycode-accessed six- and eight…
Tiruvannamalai
Right next to the Arunachaleshwar Temple's east entrance, Hotel Arunachala is clean and decent with pretensions to luxury in the marblesque floors, ugly…
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
One of Trivandrum’s more characterful places to stay is the 250-year-old family home of retired Colonel Roy Kuncheria: a four-room Indo-Saracenic bungalow…
Gokarna
This guesthouse, behind the popular beachfront cafe, is the most upmarket place on the beach. Basic rooms are dotted around a leafy garden and are a…
Thanjavur (Tanjore)
Brightly furnished cottages with roomy balconies sprawling across tropical gardens on the banks of the Vennar River, 7km northwest of Thanjavur, make this…
Maharashtra
The 38-room MTDC Holiday Resort is a little worse for wear, but dramatic lake and mountain views ease the pain a tad. Rooms are spacious and comfortable –…
Kerala
Run by a trio of ayurvedic doctors, this sprawling 75-room resort scattered around a meandering lagoon is wedged between the beach and backwaters…
Tiruvannamalai
A great-value, spick-and-span spot 800m southwest off Chengam Rd. Beyond the psychedelic exterior, wood-carved doors reveal simple, immaculate, fan-cooled…
Varkala
Just above Black Beach, this palm-studded ayurvedic resort specialises in yoga therapy, with daily classes (₹400; drop-ins welcome) and professional…
South Goa
Kamaxi Beach Resort, the sole place to stay in Polem, has some pretty earthy rooms but you’re paying for the seclusion, and the friendly brothers work…
Alappuzha (Alleppey)
This quirky longtime favourite, run by the gregarious Johnson Gilbert, is a rambling two-storey family residence with themed rooms, old-school furniture,…
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
This long-running, sociable budget favourite has moved into the midrange category, though many of its rooms don't reflect this. There's a pretty garden…
Maharashtra
The sole decent hotel near the site, with attractive air-con stone cottages set in leafy grounds. The restaurant (mains ₹70 to ₹280) is excellent, with a…
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
About 2km north of town, Le Poshe feels like you've stumbled into a flashy furniture showroom. Warm woods and whites give a fresh alpine-chalet-chic theme…
Kerala
Accessible only by 20-minute boat ride, this resort is popular for its romantic 'floating' wooden cottages moored on the water's edge – though most of the…
Chennai (Madras)
Previously the site of Gemini Studios, the Park flaunts design everywhere you look, from the towering lobby's bamboo, steel and gold cushions to posters…
Maharashtra
Located just behind the shopping ‘plaza’ and the bus stand, 300m southeast of the first cave, these five cottages nestled amid grassy lawns have some…
Munnar
Almost entirely surrounded by deep forest, 8km south of Munnar, the 10 comfy, well-kept rooms at this tucked-away guesthouse have balconies and views of a…
Tamil Nadu
Away from the temple frenzy, on the west edge of town, elegant Sparsa is several notches above Kanyakumari's other hotels. Fresh, orange-walled rooms with…
Munnar
Set in thick forest 20km southwest of Munnar, this remote-feeling place lies on 150 hectares of spice plantation and farmland (not tea plantations). There…
Chennai (Madras)
Wonderfully erratic colour schemes throw fresh whites against lime greens and bright turquoises at this friendly, well-managed modern hotel. The shiny,…
Kerala
No-frills rooms at no-frills prices, in a handy (though chaotic) location opposite the Round. The basic, secure and tolerably clean rooms are on the 5th…
Tamil Nadu
Opposite the bus stand, the busy, friendly Saradharam is as good as it gets. It’s a bit worn but comfortable enough, and a welcome respite from the town…
Tamil Nadu
Chettinadu's only backpacker-oriented accommodation features dorm rooms with bunk beds, plus one private room with four single beds. Simple but clean and…
Thanjavur (Tanjore)
One of the better values in town, the Gnanam has comfy, stylish rooms (some with balconies), with marble floors and polka-dot curtains. It's perfect for…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Friendly frontdesk man Ajay makes all the difference at this otherwise uneventful midrange hotel – his consummate hospitality and eagerness to please is…
Mysuru (Mysore)
Old-school youth hostel with clean, well-maintained male and female dorms. There’s a 10.30pm curfew, lights out at 11pm, no alcohol allowed and hot water…
Varkala
Set around gardens and a lotus pond just steps from quiet Odayam Beach, this peaceful, traditional-feel resort provides an antidote to Varkala's…
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