Modern Western-style hotels are available in all large cities and at popular tourist centres. Usually they offer a choice of first-class Western and Indian cuisine. The well-known Taj Group offers accommodation in its grand luxe hotels and business hotels as well as in several beach resorts, palace hotels, garden retreats and hotels in areas of cultural significance. Hotel bills may be subject to a 10 % expenditure tax, 7 to 15% luxury tax and a variable service charge. 

Grading: Hotels range from old palace buildings that have been converted into Heritage Hotels, 5-star deluxe, 5- and 4-star hotels, which are fully air conditioned with all luxury features, 3-star hotels, which are functional and have air conditioned rooms, to 2- and 1-star hotels, which offer basic amenities.

These are to be found throughout India. Full addresses may be obtained from Indiatourism (see Contact Addresses).

The Department of Tourism has set up several hostels, spread throughout every region, ideally placed for exploring both the plains and the hill stations. Each has a capacity for about 40 beds or more, segregated roughly half and half into male and female dormitories. Beds with mattresses, bedsheets, blankets, wardrobe with locks, electric light points, member kitchen utensils and parking areas are available at each hostel.

There are tourist bungalows at almost every tourist centre in the country, under the control of the respective State Government Tourist Development Corporation, except in the metropolitan cities of Delhi, Kolkata (Calcutta), Chennai (Madras), Mumbai (Bombay) and Bengaluru (Bangalore). These include a clean single, double and family room, most with a bath and general canteen. Some have kitchen facilities.

Youth Hostels Association of India
5 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110 021, India
Tel: (011) 2611 0250.
Website: www.yhaindia.org

Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India
B-82, 8th Floor, Himalaya House, 23 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 001, India
Tel: (011) 2331 8781/2 or 2332 2634/47 or 3770.
Website: www.fhrai.com
Contact for a full list of government-approved hotels and palace hotels.