Quick guide to accommodation in India

India is a magical location and for those visiting from the UK, it’s truly like stepping into another world. With its majestic landscapes, incredible wildlife, ancient temples, vibrant culture, and colourful culinary scene, there are so many reasons to visit. But where should you stay in India? What is the accommodation like? In this guide, we let you know about the different types of accommodation available, giving you a quick introduction to what to expect on your tailor-made holiday to India.

What types of accommodation in India are there?

When it comes to holidays in India, there are so many different options available. No matter what type of holiday you are looking for – from peaceful retreats to site-seeing adventures – and no matter who is travelling – from couples and solo travellers to families – there is something for everyone.

Whatever your tastes and desires, there’s an accommodation option to suit you and below we highlight just some of the different options available.

Hotels & Resorts

India is replete with many beautiful hotels and resorts for travellers to stay at, and this includes an abundance of spectacular four and five-star locations, oozing with character, style and charm. If you are seeking to relax in luxury during your stay, India’s opulent hotels will be for you.

This is just the beginning, however, as there are also gorgeous colonial hotels, state-of-the-art modern resorts and luxury bungalows surrounded by Indian forests, with everything from ensuite bathrooms to large verandas.

We can’t fail to highlight the many havelis dotted around the country. These are a type of Indian accommodation, typically in the style of traditional townhouses, mansions, and manor houses. They are found right across the Indian subcontinent and are popular for their historical and architectural importance.

Or maybe one of India’s lovely boutique hotels might be more your speed or how about a tropical resort nestled in glorious natural surroundings? You can even live like royalty during your India holiday, with royal palaces and royal-owned lake properties all being available. Perhaps a simple beach resort is more your cup of tea, however – perfect for a relaxing break in the sun, enjoying India’s magnificent sandy shores.

Examples of accommodation available: luxury hotels, golf resorts, colonial hotels, luxury bungalows, modern resorts, haveli, boutique hotels, royal owned lake properties, royal palaces, tropical resorts, beach resorts.

Retreats

If you are looking for something a little different on your India holiday, perhaps more of a retreat and escape from the world you know, there are a series of accommodation options that won’t fail to impress.

You could find yourself staying in a cosey lodge in one of India’s stunning national parks or how about a retreat to a 1600-acre estate with tastefully furnished tea bungalows and majestic mountain views? Both are options on your India holiday.

Maybe a retreat to a quiet corner of India’s coast will sound appealing; the range of comfortable beach chateaux will allow you to do so in style and elegance. Staying in one of India’s fascinating spice plantations will certainly be a unique experience, there are rosewood lined village resorts that offer such an experience.

Thatch tents, glamping sites, houseboats, and amazing river lodges are just four more of the many incredible options available for something unconventional. India is also home to boutique beach properties, farm cottages, and the most incredible collection of secluded palaces – if you want to retreat from the world in style and luxury, this is the choice for you.

Perhaps you want your retreat to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Well, India boasts tranquil treatment centre accommodation, where guests are placed under the care of expert physicians, with everything down to your individual diet being prescribed – talk about a tailor-made holiday.

As you can see, whatever it is you are looking for, there are India accommodation options for you. If you like the sound of any of the above, please contact our India travel experts and we can make all the arrangements.

Examples of accommodation available: beach chateaux, tea bungalows, spice plantations, thatch tents, treatment centres, boutique beach properties, palaces, glamping, farm cottages, river lodges, rustic village retreats.

Where should you stay in India?

An Indian holiday is a game-changing experience and such an exciting proposition. Lindsey, from the travel blog Have Clothes Will Travel, has visited India herself and sums up the feeling of visiting perfectly: “India is a country full of beauty and history, that belongs on everyone’s bucket list. My time in India was nothing short of an adventure.”

Ellie, from the travel blog The Wandering Quinn, has also spent time in India, sharing with us what she believes makes the country so special: “What I love most about India are the culture and diversity. Wherever you are in India there is something always happening that you can watch and observe as a visitor and I think this is what makes India so fascinating and exciting, there's never a dull moment and there's always something new to learn!”

With these tantalising thoughts in mind and now you have an idea of what types of accommodation there are in India, you might be wondering where in the country you should stay and what places should you visit. There are some amazing regions available, you can hardly go wrong, such as the Himalayan foothills, incredible cities, and exciting wildlife parks, but for first-time visitors in India, you will definitely want to consider Rajasthan and Kerala.

Rajasthan is located in North India and is known for its splendid forts, palaces, and royal mansions. If you want to uncover India’s history during your visit, a holiday to Rajasthan is a wonderful option, while also giving you the chance to explore remote regions, India’s jungles, mountain ranges, and the UNESCO city of Jaipur. It also borders the state of Uttar Pradesh, making a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal possible on the same trip.

Take it from Lauren, from the travel blog Never Ending Footsteps, who has visited Rajasthan herself and describes just how much she loved the experience: “I can’t remember taking a trip that blew my mind so much as my three weeks in Rajasthan did, and I’m both speechless and stumbling over sentences in a frantic desire to share just how wonderful this part of the world is.”

Kerala is another fantastic choice and is located in South India. Kerala is the perfect choice for a relaxing trip, providing an ideal introduction to India while still allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the country’s unique culture. With a slow pace of life, beautiful stretches of coastland, boat races, festivals, temples, ancient ruins, and rustic backwater cruises, there’s a lot to love. With both boutique and heritage properties popular options here, a Kerala holiday is an easy choice.

Kerala is a location that Andrew and Emily, from the travel blog Along Dusty Roads, have enjoyed themselves. They were “looking for a place that would give us that easy way into discovering why so many travellers love India so much.” They discovered to their delight that “Kerala was that place, and it really was a perfect introduction to a more tranquil, more tropical version of India.”

LEARN MORE: Holiday destinations in India

What is the best way to visit India?

Hopefully, now you have a little more insight into what types of accommodation are available in India and a couple of key locations to visit. But what is the best way to visit India? For a truly special experience that will tick all the right boxes unique to you, you can’t beat one of our custom India holidays. Here at Harji’s India, we craft tailor-made experiences just for you, creating a holiday you will never forget no matter if you are a seasoned India traveller or a first-time visitor.

So, whether you want to stay in a royal palace in the north, a cosey lodge in the south, or something in between, please get in touch to discover how we can make it happen.

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For more tips, guides, and advice for visiting India and its neighbours, make sure to visit our blog.