Tamil Nadu
Rupee for rupee perhaps the best value in Kanyakumari, this friendly hotel has comfortable beds, in-room wi-fi and 24-hour hot water. The best rooms have…
Must-see hotels in Tamil Nadu
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Popular little Middle Eastern–Italian Altaf's Cafe runs a few sizeable doubles and three-bed rooms for six people (sometimes more!) with private bathroom,…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
'Deluxe' rooms, with colourful paintings, patterned wallpaper and fairly modern decor, are much more appealing than 'standard' rooms at this welcoming…
Tamil Nadu
This new hotel is probably the best bang for your buck in Rameswaram. Fresh rooms have tiled walls (no scuffed and hand-smudged paint!), in-room wi-fi and…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
A simple but brilliantly characterful and well-kept French Quarter guesthouse run by welcoming hosts, with a range of fresh, colourful rooms (some with…
Thanjavur (Tanjore)
Near the train station, green-painted Valli offers no-frills, spick-and-span rooms, friendly staff and a basic restaurant. It’s in a reasonably peaceful…
Tiruvannamalai
Though slightly overpriced if you want AC, Arunaalaya offers large, cool, clean-ish marble-floored rooms with colourful walls around two small garden…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Good-value Kailash has simple, superclean rooms with well-mosquito-proofed windows, friendly management and a covered top-floor terrace. The lobby is a…
Coimbatore
One of at least 10 places on this lane opposite the train station, this is a reliable choice, with spacious, clean, simple rooms, 24-hour checkout and…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
King of tour-group packages, the Mamalla has 43 big, comfortable – if somewhat generic – rooms rising around a cool-blue pool, and a quality rooftop veg…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
Friendly Mahabs is centred on a pretty mural-lined pool surrounded by lush gardens. Boring brown is the room theme, but they're very clean and comfy, with…
Tamil Nadu
The newer annexe building at reliable Hotel Raya's has some of the best, cleanest, brightest rooms in Kumbakonam, along with a colourful mural-filled…
Madurai
Billing itself as a pilgrim hotel open to all, the Simap is right in on the temple action (and noise). Bare but good-sized, modern rooms with tight white…
Madurai
The Plaza’s rooms are comfortable and simply but smartly done up, with marble floors, blue accent lighting and chunky mattresses; four have temple views…
Trichy (Tiruchirappalli)
Despite the ground-floor bustle, this is the best deal in town. Even the cheapest AC rooms are appealing, with light wood, colourful glass panels and…
Chennai (Madras)
With small, bare and spotless, pastel-walled rooms spread over four floors around a parking courtyard, this huge block is not a bad budget choice. Book…
Coimbatore
Handy for a few of Coimbatore's bus stands, friendly ESS has small but very clean, fresh rooms. Steep discounts are available on slow days. There are…
Forest Department Accommodation
The Western Ghats
Most people visit on day trips, but for those staying overnight, Topslip has simple Forest Department accommodation of varying comfort and cleanliness…
Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
An attractive older building that’s been thoroughly spruced up with comfortable rooms, a touch of colonial-era class (a 1920 Austin saloon car at the…
Madurai
A well-presented, slightly faded hotel with friendly service; it's very popular with domestic tourists. There’s good all-veg food at the rooftop Surya…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
The beach sits right below your balcony when you land one of the half-dozen sea-view rooms at Sri Harul, one of Mamallapuram's better seafront budget…
Tamil Nadu
The most popular of the town-centre hotels, Sri Saravana is friendly and clean enough, with decent service and spacious, erratically styled rooms. Higher…
Kanchipuram
This brand new hotel has good-sized rooms with thick mattresses, couches, tea kettles and glassed-in showers. With online discounts that can knock ₹700…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
An ever-growing collection of varied, clean-enough, nothing-special rooms, from boxy fan-cooled singles to spacious air-con doubles, all under helpful…
Tamil Nadu
This newcomer is efficiently run by a manager fluent in English and helpful staff. Rooms are spacious and clean, delivering solid value. It's on the main…
Tamil Nadu
Plain, gleaming, cream-clad rooms for two to six people, with AC, 24-hour hot water and spotless bathrooms, make this new-build block a popular choice and…
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Although it's bland on the outside, rustic flourishes like polished-teak floors, plus keen staff, in-room tea/coffee sets and a central location make the…
Chennai (Madras)
Easily your smartest choice on hectic Kennet Lane. Rooms are clean and inviting, with kettles and flat-screen TVs, though not as exciting as the shiny…
Coimbatore
More modern, more comfortable and less noisy than some of its neighbours, iStay offers some of the best-value AC rooms across from the railway station –…
Coimbatore
Touches of modern art add colour to the glossy, cosy rooms here, all of which have modern bathrooms with moody lighting. It's smart, helpful and near the…
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
Rooms don't have quite as much character as the exterior suggests, but this is a decent-value budget choice sporting clean bathrooms, plenty of blankets…
Trichy (Tiruchirappalli)
The best option if you want to be close to the temple and market action. Rooms are small but smart enough, with a fresh wood-and-whitewash theme, and…
Thanjavur (Tanjore)
Thanjavur's best value in the town centre has smallish but well-kept rooms with good mattresses and (sometimes) wi-fi. Plus, it's kitty-corner to an ice…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
The sparse, spotless rooms here, adorned with a single photo of the Mother, make for good-value ashram lodgings. It's very popular: book three weeks ahead.
Tamil Nadu
Comfortable modern rooms with good beds make this the best value in Kumbakonam, especially since discounts are offered if it isn't fully booked.
Auroville
Offers advice on guesthouses in Auroville, but bookings are direct with each property. It's best to research and book through the website.
Tamil Nadu
If you're looking to save rupees, you could do a lot worse than this clean and friendly cheapie a few hundred metres from the fort.
The Western Ghats
The best of Theppakadu's reserve-owned accommodation: well-maintained wooden rooms with private bathrooms, but still pretty basic.
The Western Ghats
Helpful staff, clean air-conditioned rooms, and a quick walk to the bus stand make this a good overnight choice in Pollachi.
Tiruvannamalai
Basic, clean and friendly, this popular place is down a lane south off Chengam Rd. It's got good wi-fi and modern AC units.
