It’s been four years since I last stayed in third world budget accommodation (New Zealand doesn’t count), since when I’ve enjoyed the comforts of Malmaisons, Hotels du Vin, Ian Schraegar New York glamour, Rio’s Hotel Copocobana and camping in Dorset. No surprise that standards here are variable, and that my standards have increased, although guidebooks can be misleading.
Here’s where I’ve been staying these past few nights.
Hotel Regent, Chennai. ‘Recommended’ – Footprint India. ‘Standard’ – Lonely Planet India. ‘Good for one night’ – Rough Guide South India. Thanks for the advice. Lesson here is follow your nose (and avoid the smell). What are those stains on the wall?
Price: 200R (about £2.50) for a night
Oberoi Grand Hotel, Kolkata. ‘Recommended’ – Joel Down. Grand’s the word, with swimming pool, cable TV, wireless internet access and cooked breakfast.
Price: $85 for a night. (I know. But I’m not 18 anymore. This is a holiday, not an Takeshi’s Castle. Give me a break!)
Main (Olde) Hotel, Darjeeling. Foam mattress and gaps in the window frame, on the main drag, but magnificent views and friendly staff. And running hot water.
Price: 400R (about £5) a night
Where next, I wonder. Can’t afford five star luxury every night…
Takeshi’s Castle – nice reference Joel.
Wish you luck with the comfortable seating. Reading this is much more fun than the on line training for manager Voice over IP that I am supposed to be doing.
Nic
great show Downy,
is that a hugging blue singlet hanging next to the window in the Darjeeling hotel? Have you taken up wrestling in India to make ends meet?
docs