North Goa
One of the original backpacker hostels in North Goa, Jungle brought the dorm experience and an international vibe to Vagator and has expanded to three…
Must-see hotels in South India
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Mango-yellow Les Hibiscus has just a handful of fabulous high-ceilinged rooms with antique beds, coffee makers and a mix of quaint Indian art and old…
North Goa
Mandala is a very peaceful and beautifully designed eco-village with a range of huts and a couple of quirky air-con rooms in the ‘Art House'. Pride of…
North Goa
The pretty huts here are peppered around a palm-filled lane leading to the beach; at night, lamps light up the place like a palm-tree dreamland. Huts…
Hyderabad
On the fringe of the Banjara Hills district this landmark hotel has exceptionally lush tropical gardens and one of the nation's nicest hotel pools, 40m in…
Karnataka
On a grassy embankment overlooking scenic Kabini Lake, Waterwoods is a stunning lodge. Most rooms have balconies with wonderful lake views, swing chairs,…
North Goa
A lush, plant-filled garden leads the way to this gorgeous family-run guesthouse, located off Fort Aguada Rd. The eight light-filled suite rooms are…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Tastefully renovated, Casa Piccola has a personalised brand of hospitality that has garnered it a solid reputation. Its atmospheric rooms, with tiled…
Karnataka
A wonderfully atmospheric lodge with rustic-chic cottages scattered around a large, grassy plot. The attention to detail is evident in the chunky wooden…
Kodagu (Coorg) Region
The friendly owners market their delightful homestay as 'perfect for the pleasure of doing nothing at all', but if you do want to shake a leg you'll find…
Thanjavur (Tanjore)
This gorgeous boutique-heritage hotel has an elegant, uncluttered look inspired by and incorporating traditional local arts and crafts. Of the 38 rooms,…
Gokarna
'Journeying into the self' is the mantra at SwaSwara and you certainly have the infrastructure to achieve that here, as this is one of South India’s…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Expect superb service at this very fine hotel, spread over 8 hectares of stunning tropical gardens. The West End dates to 1887, when it was established as…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
The uber-opulent Oberoi is set in lush gardens around an enchanting 120-year-old tree, yet its central location could not be more convenient. It mixes…
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
A thoughtfully designed, long-established, ecofriendly resort boasting elegantly comfortable timber, bamboo-thatched or tented cottages, just back from…
Calangute & Baga
Don't be fooled by the name – there's no longer a restaurant here but there is a great little budget guesthouse. Family-run Indian Kitchen has a range of…
Calangute & Baga
Set back behind a whitewashed chapel off busy Baga Rd, this convivial but quiet place has beautifully kept Mediterranean-style rooms orbiting a gorgeous…
Hampi
This place consists of just two rooms set off a little yard, but they're the best in Hampi Bazaar, each with quality mattresses, attractive decorative…
Mysuru (Mysore)
A near-serene location in huge lawned grounds makes this great new hostel a very tranquil base for travellers weary of urban India. The grand yellow villa…
Palolem
At the northern end of the beach, long-running Cozy Nook is one of Palolem's originals and still builds well-designed cottages including two-storey bamboo…
Panaji
In an old Portuguese house in historic Fontainhas, this flamboyant hostel is a beacon for budget travellers to Panaji. Slick four-bed dorms with lockers…
Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach
Visakhapatnam
A modernist landmark that boasts a commanding position on Beach Rd facing the Bay of Bengal. Rooms are very well-appointed and immaculately presented, all…
Karnataka
At the edge of the city, this hotel has attractive, artistically decorated rooms overlooking farmland. Food is home cooked, flavoursome and inventive. The…
South Goa
These sweet timber cottages dominate central Cola Beach, overlooking either the beach or the lagoon, and are the first place you’ll find on the walk down…
Mysuru (Mysore)
Excellent hostel in a historic house that shows Indian and British architectural influences. It's very well set up, with spacious dorms and private rooms,…
South Goa
A serious step up from the budget places, Skylark’s clean, fresh rooms are graced with bits and pieces of locally made teak furniture and block-print…
Hampi
Lovely family-run homestay in a tranquil rural location around 2km west of the Royal Centre (bikes are available). The five spacious rooms are furnished…
Mysuru (Mysore)
The Mercure is a very well-run hotel, with attentive, friendly staff members and sleek, well-equipped rooms. There's a large rooftop swimming pool (big…
South Goa
It's rare to find good old-fashioned palm-thatch cocohuts on this stretch of beachfront but the 11 sturdy thatched huts at Blue Corner are the best in…
Hyderabad
A well-managed mid-range hotel with modern furnishings; rooms are all air-conditioned and have attractive furniture, minifridge and flatscreen TV. Staff…
Karnataka
This fine business hotel has modern rooms equipped with flat-screen TVs (with cable) and modish furniture. Staff members are very helpful and attentive,…
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
This hotel has rooms with a pleasing contemporary touch, large flatscreen TVs, wooden floors, safe and minibar. The Blue Fox restaurant here is good,…
South Goa
Beautifully designed and constructed cottages with open-air bathrooms and spring mattresses surround a central bar and beachfront restaurant. Some have…
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
The brainchild (and former family home) of local entrepreneur Archana Mohan, Padmavilasom tactfully reimagines a 150-year-old royal palace into a luxury…
Andaman Islands
Karen conservationist couple Saw John and Naw Doris have opened their traditional wood-and-palm home to guests, with three no-frills but comfy fan-cooled…
Aurangabad
A traveller-oriented budget hotel, the Panchavati is run by ever-helpful, switched-on management who understand travellers’ needs. Rooms are compact but…
Aurangabad
The Lemon Tree offers elegance and class, looking more like a billionaire’s luxury whitewashed Mediterranean villa than an Indian hotel. It’s well…
Northern Kerala
With a warm family welcome, this wonderfully peaceful and exclusive resort is pocketed away on an incredibly lush 1.5 sq km of working pepper, coffee,…
Chennai (Madras)
At this ‘eco-sensitive’ business-style hotel, floors are bamboo or rubber, water and electricity conservation hold pride of place, and AC-generated heat…
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Grown from its humble homestay origins, Green View is a charming guesthouse that retains its personal family welcome from owners Suresh and Sulekha (who…
