Hotels needed in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur & Bangalore

As a first-time visitor to India this December (2 of us girls will attend a wedding over Xmas w/e in Hyderabad), I would greatly appreciate any recommendations for hotels in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Bangalore. Here's what I've found on travelocity and hotels.com:

Delhi - Hotel Clark (US$55/ngt)
Agra - Mansingh (US$59/ngt)
Jaipur - Umaid Bhawan Hotel (US$47/ngt)
Bangalore - Comfort Suites (US$85/ngt) ouch! a'thing cheaper out there??

Thanks, ev'one!

~ TamarainCayman

Hi Tamarain, welcome to Indiamike.

I suggest you check the hotel listings on this site as it has many recommendations of our members and some should be of interest.

http://www.indiamike.com/india/listings.php

We stayed at the Umaid Bhawan in Jaipur, and thought it was lovely; however, we didn't pay anything like the price Travelocity is asking, and I suggest you try contacting the hotel through its own website (http://www.umaidbhawan.com/). I note there that the double room costs 1300 rupees (eleven months ago it was 800 rupees, but I guess that's inflation for you), which is not nearly as much as Travelocity is asking from you. I also think that, given the area (Karol Bargh, which is a rabbit warren of cheap hotels), the price you are being asked to pay at Clark's is a bit high, even though I hasten to admit that Clark's probably is a little nicer than most of the hotels around it (it's certainly brighter and more conspicuous). However, it's not at all hard in that area to get an air-conditioned double for around $US15. You might get a similar hotel in a much swanker area (the Braodway, in Old Delhi, was recommended to us, and last year it was $45 for a double room) for the money Travelocity wants if, again, you contacted some of the hotels directly. Alternatively, the guy who found our $15 cheapie fifty metres down the road from Clark's was called Sanjay, and his email is info@ access-india.com (it's a business, so ask for him by name). We found him very helpful, and he still occasionally sends us emails.

Jarman Ah - you rock!

Great advice, never thought of googling the Umaid hotel name to find the website. Turned out to be US$20 cheaper than thru travelocity....

Also, Sanjay responded w/in a day and provided hotel and private driver/tour options. Rc'vd another quote from a dif person (whose email addy I rc'vd thru a contact here) and the latter quote was US$350 more! It incl 3 more ngts hotel in Bangalore but I'm pretty sure I can find s'thing for less than 3 bills...

A'hoo, thanks again for the tip. I'll rtn the favour after my trip early Jan....

M2

~ Thx for the welcome!.....I had found the hotel listings but was concerned that they were may be outdated since some of the posts go bk to 2003....and besides, the individual replies may me feel so welcome, all warm and fuzzy inside (during this miserable hurricane ravaged weather. ugh.)

For Jaipur also consider Madhuban. It's a converted mansion with rooms that are large, well-furnished, and immaculately clean; with a fine restaurant; with a friendly and helpful staff; and in a good location.

www.madhuban.net

Thanks for the added option but the hotels are (more or less) one and the same. I compared websites and all rates are the same (deluxe, royal deluxe rms, suites, etc.) Both are in the same district/area and offer complimentary p/up fr train/bus. Umaid Bhawan site had more pics of their rms and bldg (which of course means nothing!!) but not too worry - wherever we end up I'll be sure to post pics that I shoot myself!!

in Bangalore try www.bangaloreaccommodations.com

for jaipur much cheaper 540 RU for a single if you pay cash
www.hotelpearlpalace.com/
very nicely ran, great resturuant.

I can vouch for the Madhuban stayed there a few weeks ago and would deffinatley return, also try the Maddona Inn (Hotel) in New Rajindar Nagar, near the MPGH only 40 IR to connought place and quiet. Great rooms and nice people running the place.

See girls, if you are using a lonely planet guide, go by that. They give the right places for any one to stay...

They give info of hotels in all price categories.

According to me decent hotels in bangalore in ur price range are

1. Hotel Ramanashree
2. Hotel Nandhini
3. Hotel Richmond
4. St. Marks hotel
5. Hotel Museum Inn
6. Hotel Ramas

These are good.

Most cities have its own area with budget accomodation. Just ask the driver for this area and you won't face problems of finding a good hotel:

Delhi: Paharganj, most hotels are 200 to 300 rupees per night (4 to 6 US$)

Jaipur: ask for hotel Diggy palace, really relaxing place with big garden (big lawn), doubles are with 300 to 600 rupees quite expensive but recommendable (6 to 12 US$).

Agra: Taj ganj near Taj Mahal, accomodation for 100 to 400 rupees (2 to 8 US$) for doubles.

Bangalore: MG road area, doubles for 200 to 600 rupees (4 to 12 US$)

As for the golden triangle, don't believe the commission taxidrivers and beware the touts!!!

i was there recently and i`ll recommend it to everyone.
malvin

In Delhi, I'd go for more luxury than 55$ IF you can afford it... I checked many hotels and it's about the level I paid and it was a disaster, I looked at many other hotels in the same price range and they were all the same. If I go back to Delhi again, I'll try to budget a more expensive option.

Agra I stayed in Sheela hotel and it was very low budget but nice ... except that there was no hot water, I really enjoyed the stay there, cause it's SO CLOSE to Taj Mahal and it has a nice garden restaurant...

In Jaipur, Umaid Bhawan is a perfect choice! I personally liked it a lot.

Haven't been to Bangalore ...

Where in Delhi did you stay? I find the budget-accomodation in Paharganj for instance very decent and not a disaster at all (for 4$ or less for doubles). For 55$ you must have a palace!!!