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…
Must-see hotels in Tamil Nadu
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…
Chennai (Madras)
Conveniently close to Egmore train station, the Fortel is just about stylish, with well-kept rooms in ivory, brown and copper tones, and cushion-laden…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Non-AC rooms are perfectly acceptable and clean if nothing fancy, but the Daphne's seven air-con rooms are great value (especially top-floor rooms 13 and…
Kanchipuram
This NGO offers simple, clean rooms at its base in a residential area, 5km southeast of central Kanchipuram. If things are quiet, the friendly owners put…
Trichy (Tiruchirappalli)
With its well-equipped rooms, smartly outfitted staff and guests-only pool, the Sangam offers a good upmarket-angled package. It's faded in parts, but…
Trichy (Tiruchirappalli)
The Breeze is huge, aiming at upscale and in a relatively quiet, leafy location. The rooms are clean and comfortable, but feel institutional, with nothing…
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
A long-standing budget haunt, Reflections sits across the road from Ooty Lake. Most of its 12 spotless, good-value rooms have lake views; the best come…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
While the lobby says 'classic heritage hotel', the rooms say 'classic budget hotel'. Still, this converted Tamil Quarter home provides a helpful welcome…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Behind the flaming-red doors of a revamped merchant house, this glossy oriental-inspired guesthouse overlooks a busy street in the thick of Pondy's bazaar…
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
Perched on a quiet (bumpy) driveway handy for the bus and train stations, the nine enormous, high-ceilinged, wood-lined rooms in this old bungalow have…
Trichy (Tiruchirappalli)
There's one tastefully simple thatched-roof room, with both a double and single bed, at this laid-back homestay just outside the Sri Ranganathaswamy…
Trichy (Tiruchirappalli)
On the street between the train station and the Central Bus Station, this long-running budget spot greets you with elephant murals on its facade. Rooms…
Thanjavur (Tanjore)
Under the watch of a welcoming Indian couple who serve tasty home-cooked meals, this low-key homestay offers four simple rooms with splashes of art…
Tamil Nadu
It’s no five-star property but the Darling has clean, comfortable, forgettable rooms (those at the back are quieter), as well as friendly reception and…
Kanchipuram
Simple blond-wood furniture and in-room kettles make the clean 'standard' rooms perfectly comfy, while newer 'premiums' have hairdryers, glassed-in…
Tamil Nadu
You can’t miss the high-rise Tri Sea, whose sea-view rooms are spacious, spotless and airy, with particularly hectic colour schemes. Cheaper rooms are…
The Western Ghats
This family-run operation has seven simple, comfy cottages tucked into its own patch of unkempt jungle, 2km south of Masinagudi. Geese waddle around;…
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Despite being out on the fringes of Kodai's spaghetti-like street map, 2km west of the centre, Mount Pleasant is worth finding for its quiet setting,…
Tamil Nadu
Gleaming, comfy and welcoming, 'India's first four-star pilgrim hotel', 200m west of the bus station, is your classiest choice in Rameswaram. Airy rooms…
Tamil Nadu
The fanciest town-centre hotel has shiny, roomy chambers with golden curtains and cushions, glassed-in showers and kettles. It's lost its original sparkle…
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Up a steep driveway, surrounded by neat flowery gardens with a swing, this simple but characterful Raj-era home is run by the kindly and interesting Uma…
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
In a quiet spot on the southern fringe of town, the Fortune is no Raj-era mansion, but twirling staircases around a grand lobby lead to comfy, colourful…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
This friendly ochre-walled guesthouse has some of the best budget rooms in town. Those without AC are simple but well kept, while AC rooms are newer and…
Chennai (Madras)
Chandra Park’s prices remain mysteriously lower than those at most similar establishments. 'Standard' rooms are smallish and a bit dated but have air-con,…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Conveniently attached to Joe's Cafe, the standard rooms here feel stylistically dated but are clean and in good shape. Deluxe rooms are spacious, with…
Trichy (Tiruchirappalli)
From outside the enormous Femina looks 1950s, but renovations have turned parts of the interior quite contemporary. Facilities are good and staff helpful…
Chennai (Madras)
Fresh on the Chennai scene, this branch of India's popular hostel chain is a success, with eight-bed dorms, a straightforward private room, a couple of…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Surrounding a leafy, somewhat unkempt courtyard, this backpacker standby is definitely showing its age. Rooms are clean enough, but each is battered in…
Chennai (Madras)
Hidden in a shaded, affluent embassy area, efficiently run Avenue 11 has a range of unfussy gold-toned rooms framing a palm-dotted courtyard. All are…
Tamil Nadu
Getting simplicity right, this hotel offers spacious rooms, large beds and giant bathrooms, all perfectly clean. Best of all are the massive online…
Chennai (Madras)
Welcoming Paradise offers some of Triplicane's best-value digs: simple rooms with clean tiles, a breezy rooftop, friendly staff and hot water by the…
Madurai
The Royal Court blends a bit of white-sheeted, hardwood-floored colonial-style elegance with comfort, good eating options and friendly yet professional…
Tamil Nadu
This long, colourful concrete block conceals friendly staff, a back-up generator and a range of budget rooms, with big steps up in quality the more you…
Tamil Nadu
Towards the northeastern end of Rameswaram's seafront road, Jiwan is one of your best options: a fresh, neat business-styled hotel with bright, modern…
Coimbatore
On a quiet Racecourse-area lane, this homey guesthouse offers three impeccable, tastefully styled rooms with a communal lounge and balcony. Two share a…
Madurai
Berrys' 15 smart, contemporary, minimalist fruit-named rooms are the most stylish on this hotel-packed street. There's a soothing atmosphere, plus a…
Tamil Nadu
A welcoming, well-appointed hotel, with spacious, spotless, marble-floored rooms and lobby-only wi-fi. 'Super-deluxes' have sea glimpses past a couple of…
Coonoor
A ramshackle, 150-year-old gem, the good-value Wyoming is draughty and creaky but oozes colonial character, with wooden terraces and serene town views…
Madurai
The service is stellar and the rooms are comfy and fresh at this winner, which has a handy transport desk and one of the the highest rooftop restaurants…
