Page 692 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

690  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

Visitors to India have a wide choice of departments, may lack the glamour of a
accommodation available – from traditional five-star, but they are clean and offer excellent
hospitality in grand old palaces and home value for money. Cheaper accommodation
stays, to modern western-style deluxe hotels, is available at guesthouses, youth hostels
budget hotes and tourist bungalows. Prices and even spartan pilgrim abodes, such as
vary depending on the quality of services dharamshalas and ashrams. Hotel rates
offered, and the location. Star-rated luxury fluctuate with the season and are usually
hotels, speciality hotels, health spas and cheaper during the off-season from April
heritage hotels are expensive, but the amenities to September. The hotel listings on pages
they offer more than justify the high room 694–703 provide a selection of some of
rates. The moderately priced mid-range the best hotels throughout India, to suit
hotels, often managed by state tourism every taste and budget.
Grading and Facilities based on the European system payment in advance and will
At the top of the scale are the of room rent only, although in refund only part of the amount
five-star deluxe hotels. Most some places breakfast is included. if the booking is cancelled.
of these are part of international Flexible prices dominate the Check-out time is usually
and Indian hotel chains, such market during the off-season noon, though some hotels
as the Hilton, Oberoi, ITC Hotels and in some cases may drop by are more flexible and allow a
or Taj Group. Next, are the four- almost 50 per cent. It is worth 24-hour departure, or accept
and three-star hotels, some negotiating for a good discount. a small fee for a few hours’
of them run by the state Some hotels have a dual tariff extension. Smaller hotels may
govern ments, followed by the policy (for foreigners and Indians), allow a later check out, for free.
guest houses. Heritage hotels which means that foreigners When paying, scrutinize the bill
offer the opportunity to stay in have to pay a dollar room rate thoroughly and retain all
beautifully restored forts, palaces plus any additional taxes on the receipts on departure.
and stately homes. listed price. This is payable either Online booking sites such
in foreign currency or Indian as MakeMyTrip, TripAdvisor
rupees. Hotel rates are usually and ClearTrip have become
Pricing and Booking revised every October, at the extremely popular, as they offer
Accommodation in the bigger beginning of the tourist season. a wide range of hotel listings,
cities is generally more expensive. It is advisable to book well in photographs, customer reviews
The most pricey establish ments advance during the peak tourist and good deals. Customer
are the five-star and five-star season (Oct–Mar). Since the service guarantee is another
deluxe hotels as well as the classifications of hotels can be major advantage.
exclusive heritage hotels, although bewildering, it is best to get a
smaller properties among the complete description of what to Taxes
latter can be cheaper. State-run expect in terms of both room
hotels, which have a good and service quality. While making The hotel bill includes taxes
nationwide network, are more reservations, especially for mid- levied by the federal and state
economical, though their rates range and budget hotels, check governments. The federal
can differ. Price categories for which credit cards are accepted. government charges a uniform
guesthouses also vary. Tariffs are Note that some hotels demand 10 per cent hotel expenditure
tax (on room rent only), which
is imposed on all hotels with a
tariff of ₹3,000 and above. States
levy a luxury tax on the rack rate
of a room as well; this varies
from 5 to 25 per cent. There may
also be local taxes such as sales
tax, service tax and special taxes
on alcohol. Some hotels also
levy a service charge.

Hidden Costs
Be prepared to pay extra for
breakfast, the mini bar, mineral
Bedroom interiors at the Taj Mahal Palace (see p700), Mumbai water, telephone calls, laundry,
Flea market shop with handmade goods on display in Hampi

690-691_EW_India.indd 690 26/04/17 11:50 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm