What's the cheapest/dearest hotel tarrif you've paid in India? Where?

slumpainter · Apr 20th, 2007, 00:23

I just read on another site where someone spent $600US/night for a hotel room in India (of course it had its own balcony with a view of the Taj Majal...!

Dunno if it was just a troll, but it got me thinking:

Part of my experience travelling through India is slummin' it and seeing how far I can stretch my rupees. It really takes you out of your element to be content to stay in a dark, dank room that would be an ugly jail cell anywhere else in the world.

The cheapest I've spent on a night was $0, when I slept on a box in the street in Hetauda, Nepal, waiting for the sun to come up to get a hotel... Otherwise I've been happy spending less than $5 for a night in a cheap lodge.

The most I've spent is about $75US at the Lyton Hotel, in Kolkata, and that was just to pacify my wife who was accompanying me on her first trip to India. I wanted to show her the Paragon, where I usually stayed on solo trips, and upon seeing the room, she threw-up a little in her mouth.

I have to admit that as I get older, I'm wanting a bit more comfort, maybe splurging on a $12-18US room, but I can't see ever paying $600 for a room anywhere, anytime.

Nick-H · Apr 20th, 2007, 00:29

I think my most expensive was Bruntons Boatyard in Kochi... maybe £125 a night back in 2003. I guess that translates to about US$250...

My cheapest about 700: Ram Guest House, Chennai.

girlone · Apr 20th, 2007, 00:31

Yep, Oberoi Amarvillas overlooking the Taj. Incredible place.

Cheapest? Couple of hundred rupees for an overnight train trip.

G1

capt_mahajan · Apr 20th, 2007, 00:43

Most expensive: range 350/500 usd, five star in Mumbai, Goa and a couple of other places.

Cheapest, zero, under the stars in Spiti valley, years ago... priceless.

ChrisJ · Apr 20th, 2007, 00:58

Cheapest place was Kovalam beach. Paid Rs15. Place was empty as it was just before monsoon. The owner said he made his cash from the food we ate.

Most expensive was Taj Mahal Bombay. I think it worked out at $200 or so.

ChrisJ

robotvoice · Apr 20th, 2007, 01:09

my cheapest hotel was rs75 a night in Varanasi on a long term stay (one month). wonderful room too.

the dearest was the mayfair in darjeeling. the room was 100 us dollars, plus a 20 dollar bottle of wine, and another five bucks to press my kurta, etc.
But worth every penny for a romantic honeymoon.

PeakXV · Apr 20th, 2007, 01:12

The presidential suite at the Leela Palace - Goa was the best. Company payed for it - so not sure how much - but think it was close to 4 figures.

http://www.theleela.com/goa-presidential-suite.html

...... the worst was a guesthouse in the inner circle connaught place. It was not a bad spot and for the life of me cannot remember the name of it - the sheets were clean, the bed comfy - however the rooms were not completely enclosed and the man next room over had obviously contracted TB or at the very least an extraordinary case of the Galloping Crud - he hacked and coughed and sputtered all night until about 5:30am when it suddenly stopped and he either checked-out(left) or checked-out(expired) - I don't rightly know

- I don't recall seeing my digital travel clock clicking over to 5:31am so at that point I must have finally drifted off to sleep. I'm a sound sleeper but one needs 6 solid walls in a hotel/guesthouse.

edwardseco · Apr 20th, 2007, 01:50

Cheapest: 5 Rupees/night for a room barely larger than a closet and a charpoy in Hardvar. that was a long time ago. But more recently I shared a room at a place in Puri listed in the LP with my share as 37.50. Save those Paise. However, my better half says I am a cheap son of a gun traveller and has laid down the law. In future only high end properties (gulp)in India. I actually have a new guidebook, India Chic. Next Fromers and Fodors, aargh..

akt · Apr 20th, 2007, 02:22

My most expensive was Imperial in Delhi, still my favorite hotel in India. It was probably $250-300, but I don't remember precisely. I have stayed in other expensive hotels in India, but somebody else was paying and I don't know how much.

My cheapest has to be various "dharmshalas" in religious places; they are basically free, although a donation is expected.

My wife has constructive approach to such donations. In Hardwar, where our group had used a few rooms for a few days, she told the guy, "If we give you money, it will diasppaear in routine expenses. Your rooms need geyesers, what if we buy you one?" They had one geyeser istalled the next day and we paid the bill.

noflylist · Apr 20th, 2007, 02:32

Cheapest - 0 staying with a friend, next in line 250 in Manali.
Costliest, depends on how you look at it, staying with a friend. Ended up taking the family everywhere and paying for everything. Ultimate price around 200 USD. Learnt my lesson. It is cheaper to pay upfront for wine, women (

) and hotel rooms

ananda2193 · Apr 20th, 2007, 03:18

Other than free or sleeping on the street.

The Kamala Lodge and Restaurant at Tatopani, Nepal. Me and a girl from London back in 1991, paid 25 cent's U.S. for a double room. 12 and 1/2 cent's a piece.

And I've been in many more places similar in price since.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

Nick-H · Apr 20th, 2007, 11:17

I'd forgotten the week in my friend's house, which was, of course, free.

matt67 · Apr 20th, 2007, 14:25

most expensive...3 months at the oberoi in Mumbai (obviously paid for by somebody else)

cheapest Rs. 50 per night for a dorm in Uran (went on a cycling trip from Mumbai to Uran)

kullukid · Apr 20th, 2007, 15:25

Cheapest RS50 G/H in Kalga Parvati valley. Most expensive KTDC Hotel Samudra Kovalam, can't remember how much, i try not to think about it! KK

Margot · Apr 27th, 2007, 18:50

Cheapest: 40 Rs. in McLeod Ganj (for a closet sized room with shared bathroom but it was lovely).

Most expensive was in N Bombay on a beach, around 3000 but my boyfriend paid it and that was after I had moved here and had a steady income(albeit an Indian salary).

As a backpacker I think I paid 550 at the most for something in Colaba.

Apr 20th, 2007, 00:23	#1
slumpainter Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 67	What's the cheapest/dearest hotel tarrif you've paid in India? Where? I just read on another site where someone spent $600US/night for a hotel room in India (of course it had its own balcony with a view of the Taj Majal...! Dunno if it was just a troll, but it got me thinking: Part of my experience travelling through India is slummin' it and seeing how far I can stretch my rupees. It really takes you out of your element to be content to stay in a dark, dank room that would be an ugly jail cell anywhere else in the world. The cheapest I've spent on a night was $0, when I slept on a box in the street in Hetauda, Nepal, waiting for the sun to come up to get a hotel... Otherwise I've been happy spending less than $5 for a night in a cheap lodge. The most I've spent is about $75US at the Lyton Hotel, in Kolkata, and that was just to pacify my wife who was accompanying me on her first trip to India. I wanted to show her the Paragon, where I usually stayed on solo trips, and upon seeing the room, she threw-up a little in her mouth. I have to admit that as I get older, I'm wanting a bit more comfort, maybe splurging on a $12-18US room, but I can't see ever paying $600 for a room anywhere, anytime.

Apr 20th, 2007, 00:29	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,830	I think my most expensive was Bruntons Boatyard in Kochi... maybe £125 a night back in 2003. I guess that translates to about US$250... My cheapest about 700: Ram Guest House, Chennai. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Apr 20th, 2007, 00:43	#4
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,105	Most expensive: range 350/500 usd, five star in Mumbai, Goa and a couple of other places. Cheapest, zero, under the stars in Spiti valley, years ago... priceless. Last edited by capt_mahajan : Apr 20th, 2007 at 00:46. Reason: calculation mistake!

Apr 20th, 2007, 01:12	#7
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,195	It was the best of times - it was the worst of times. The presidential suite at the Leela Palace - Goa was the best. Company payed for it - so not sure how much - but think it was close to 4 figures. http://www.theleela.com/goa-presidential-suite.html ...... the worst was a guesthouse in the inner circle connaught place. It was not a bad spot and for the life of me cannot remember the name of it - the sheets were clean, the bed comfy - however the rooms were not completely enclosed and the man next room over had obviously contracted TB or at the very least an extraordinary case of the Galloping Crud - he hacked and coughed and sputtered all night until about 5:30am when it suddenly stopped and he either checked-out(left) or checked-out(expired) - I don't rightly know - I don't recall seeing my digital travel clock clicking over to 5:31am so at that point I must have finally drifted off to sleep. I'm a sound sleeper but one needs 6 solid walls in a hotel/guesthouse. __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

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Apr 20th, 2007, 00:31	#3
girlone Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: UK Posts: 125	Yep, Oberoi Amarvillas overlooking the Taj. Incredible place. Cheapest? Couple of hundred rupees for an overnight train trip. G1

Apr 20th, 2007, 00:58	#5
ChrisJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 184	Cheapest place was Kovalam beach. Paid Rs15. Place was empty as it was just before monsoon. The owner said he made his cash from the food we ate. Most expensive was Taj Mahal Bombay. I think it worked out at $200 or so. ChrisJ

Apr 20th, 2007, 01:09	#6
robotvoice mikeaholic Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california Posts: 1,163	my cheapest hotel was rs75 a night in Varanasi on a long term stay (one month). wonderful room too. the dearest was the mayfair in darjeeling. the room was 100 us dollars, plus a 20 dollar bottle of wine, and another five bucks to press my kurta, etc. But worth every penny for a romantic honeymoon.

Apr 20th, 2007, 01:50	#8
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,924	Cheapest: 5 Rupees/night for a room barely larger than a closet and a charpoy in Hardvar. that was a long time ago. But more recently I shared a room at a place in Puri listed in the LP with my share as 37.50. Save those Paise. However, my better half says I am a cheap son of a gun traveller and has laid down the law. In future only high end properties (gulp)in India. I actually have a new guidebook, India Chic. Next Fromers and Fodors, aargh..

Apr 20th, 2007, 02:22	#9
akt Account Closed Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: USA Posts: 438	My most expensive was Imperial in Delhi, still my favorite hotel in India. It was probably $250-300, but I don't remember precisely. I have stayed in other expensive hotels in India, but somebody else was paying and I don't know how much. My cheapest has to be various "dharmshalas" in religious places; they are basically free, although a donation is expected. My wife has constructive approach to such donations. In Hardwar, where our group had used a few rooms for a few days, she told the guy, "If we give you money, it will diasppaear in routine expenses. Your rooms need geyesers, what if we buy you one?" They had one geyeser istalled the next day and we paid the bill.

Apr 20th, 2007, 02:32	#10
noflylist Account Closed on User's Request Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 840	Cheapest - 0 staying with a friend, next in line 250 in Manali. Costliest, depends on how you look at it, staying with a friend. Ended up taking the family everywhere and paying for everything. Ultimate price around 200 USD. Learnt my lesson. It is cheaper to pay upfront for wine, women ( ) and hotel rooms

Apr 20th, 2007, 03:18	#11
ananda2193 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: you essay Posts: 1,483	Other than free or sleeping on the street. The Kamala Lodge and Restaurant at Tatopani, Nepal. Me and a girl from London back in 1991, paid 25 cent's U.S. for a double room. 12 and 1/2 cent's a piece. And I've been in many more places similar in price since. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Apr 20th, 2007, 11:17	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,830	I'd forgotten the week in my friend's house, which was, of course, free.

Apr 20th, 2007, 14:25	#13
matt67 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bath Posts: 163	most expensive...3 months at the oberoi in Mumbai (obviously paid for by somebody else) cheapest Rs. 50 per night for a dorm in Uran (went on a cycling trip from Mumbai to Uran)

Apr 20th, 2007, 15:25	#14
kullukid Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: u.k. Posts: 980	Cheapest RS50 G/H in Kalga Parvati valley. Most expensive KTDC Hotel Samudra Kovalam, can't remember how much, i try not to think about it! KK

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Apr 27th, 2007, 18:50	#15
Margot Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Gurgaon, Haryana Posts: 31	Cheapest: 40 Rs. in McLeod Ganj (for a closet sized room with shared bathroom but it was lovely). Most expensive was in N Bombay on a beach, around 3000 but my boyfriend paid it and that was after I had moved here and had a steady income(albeit an Indian salary). As a backpacker I think I paid 550 at the most for something in Colaba.