The best accommodations Rajasthan

Budget & Tips

The major tourist centers offer a wide choice of hotels, there is something for everyone. The prices indicated are for a double room, in high season. But they should be taken with caution. Hoteliers have strongly reduced their rates during the Covid epidemic, when India was closed to foreign tourists. The sector retreated to its domestic market. With the reopening of the country to tourism and two almost blank years, it is likely that hoteliers will catch up. Especially since India is not immune to the inflation that is rampant throughout the world. Generally speaking, the cleanliness of budget hotels has improved, especially in establishments that cater to a majority of foreign tourists

The abundance of hotels ensures healthy competition that keeps prices down. However, the introduction of a federal tax to supplement the local tax in 2017 is driving up prices for the end consumer, especially in luxury establishments. The tax is 28% for rooms priced above Rs 7,500, 18% for rooms priced between Rs 2,500 and Rs 7,500 and 12% for rooms sold between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500 per night. Most establishments display prices excluding taxes, in order to remain attractive.

In Rajasthan, expect to pay between Rs 500 and Rs 1,500 for a budget hotel. You will have a clean room, a private bathroom and towels. For a charming hotel, count between Rs 2,500 and Rs 6,000 per night. In the luxury hotels and palaces, count between 7 000 Rs and 20 000 Rs for a double room. These hotels are often housed in carefully restored former maharaja palaces or lavish havelis.

Hotels in Delhi are very expensive. You won't find a decent room for less than Rs 1,500. A comfortable room in a decent hotel or a B&B will not cost less than Rs 5,000 per night.

Some small towns are singularly lacking in hotel and tourist facilities, as is the case in Mathura or Vrindavan, large pilgrimage centers where Indians come for the day or sleep in dharamsalas, pilgrim hostels.

To be booked

It is essential to book in advance during the high season, especially in charming, value-for-money accommodations in the cities. That being said, you will always find a room to stay, even at the last minute, but maybe not in the hotel you are looking for.

What's very local

Many Indians do not hesitate to share a double room with the rest of the family. They often cram in 4 or 5 people, in order to limit expenses. However, this practice is rarely tolerated by hoteliers when it comes to foreign tourists.

When you arrive at the hotel, you will have to fill in a register with your name, address, length of stay, and passport number. The hotelier is required to make a copy of your passport and complete an online form, C-Form.

For food lovers

Indians never eat sweet for breakfast, but salty. South Indian specialties such as uttapams or dosas are among the most popular Indian breakfasts. In hotels for tourists, you will always have the choice between Indian dishes and bread, butter, jam or eggs.

Smokers

Smoking is not allowed in any establishment open to the public. In Delhi, it is even forbidden to smoke outside, which is not the case in Rajasthan.

Tourist traps

The auto-rickshaw drivers waiting for you at the exit of the train stations may try to make you believe that the hotel you want to go to is closed, that it is full, that it has burned down... to take you somewhere else. This is of course not true. The hotel where they plan to take you pays them a commission. Say you have a reservation to cut it short.

In some cities where there is a shortage of hotels, or during festivals when all the hotels in the city are full, your hotel may not have "received" your reservation. In reality, the hotel will have given your room to a higher bidder or will want to increase the price of the night's stay, sometimes in an inconsiderate manner. When you make your reservation, ask for written confirmation of the dates, rate and inclusions. The day before your arrival, reconfirm your arrival and specify your arrival time