Amritsar - Old city or new?

Hey everyone,

Just a quick question, I've booked an accomodation right by the Golden Temple but I'm having second thoughts.

Initially I thought it would be good to be based right by the Golden Temple so go for sunrise/sets but I know in the old city you can't drink alcohol or eat meat etc?

So, my wife suggested staying at one of the nicer hotels by the railway station and another option a bit further out of town so we can have nice evening meal etc and then get autos to the site as and when they're needed.

What's everyones thoughts on this? Is is better to stay near the temple or to travel to it when you need to? How much time do you typically spend within the temple walls a day?

Thanks!

NB

NB

We stayed up near the station and it was easy to get an auto, although you have to walk the last couple of hundred yards. Amritsar auto drivers were the craziest we found anywhere. We were at the temple for about 4 hours in the afternoon and waited for sunset. I think that the sun sets at about 19.30 just now and will get a bit earlier. We planned to eat later but by the time we had the temple meal we were quite full.

It got a bit chilly as the sun set but it was March when we were there. Probably much warmer now.

Don't miss the Durgiana temple, also in Amritsar.

Thanks Dave. We're not going until September but I'm just planning ahead out of excitment.

I have already booked Akaal Residency which is roughly 2000 INR a night but for a little more I can stay at the Golden Tulip which looks rather plush, has a bar and the Moti Mahal restaurant on site.

Where did you stay?

NB

Carlton Inn & Suites the opposite direction from the station. Not very Indian but they offered wi-fi and their laundry service was good. Drews60 recommended a hotel near the station on his thread from earlier this year.

My First Solo Trip to India

I'm fine with non-Indian hotels to be honest....there's enough India outside the door that sometimes it's nice to escape to a bland four walls where my senses can rest from the battering they've just received outside.

What's the hotel like? Had a look online and rooms are smart, there's a nice rooftop pool and a room with breakfast is coming in at 3200INR a night...not too shabby!

This is my last 'holiday' for quite some time....we're going travelling indefinitely in January so it will be back to the 300 INR a night grime for the forseeable future...therefore I best treat myself as much as I can on this trip!

NB

There's a picture of the room halfway down this page of our blog and a few comments about it, as well as on the following 2 days' posts.

http://radinja2.blogspot.co.uk/2012/...en-temple.html

Thanks for that Dave. I'm supposed to be working and now I'm reading every page of your rather excellent blog .

NB