India Hotels and Hostels

You'll find a wide range of accommodation options throughout India. Both budget and quality are highly variable. In cities you'll find some of the most luxurious five star accommodations, but you'll also find some of the least expensive, budget accommodation of any country you've ever visited. At the very low end you can find accommodation that is less than $5 for a private room. While in some instances you'll be pleasantly surprised with the conditions of these facilities, in other cases that price will definitely reflect the cost. Many budget hotels offer a shared bathroom with a squat toilet and a poor shower. Definitely inspect the condition of the facility before committing to ensure there are no unexpected surprises.

Finding the Best Prices

It's not hard at all to find a good deal in India. In larger cities you will likely want to have reservations when you show up. India's cities can be quite chaotic and challenging to navigate, so it can give you piece of mind to know your destination before you arrive. You may pay a little more, but it is well worth the cost. In smaller towns it is very easy to show up without reservations and find accommodations once you arrive. You'll also get a better deal and will be able to negotiate the price down.
Definitely negotiate in India. Everything is generally negotiable so don't hesitate to ask for a discount. If the hotel is not near capacity, you'll have the most flexibility for negotiating the price. Before you commit to a place, check out both the room and the bathroom. Make sure the electricity and hot water work as well.
You'll likely find the most affordable accommodations in mid-sized cities. Larger cities like Delhi or Mumbai can be more expensive and rural locations have a much more limited selection in hotels. There may be some budget accommodation, but in some places you'll pay more for them or you'll only find higher end accommodation.

Types of Accommodation

India has some of the most affordable accommodation you will find anywhere. It also has some luxury, expensive accommodation as well. Budget accommodation can range in quality. Definitely check out the rooms ahead of time before committing. If having a seat toilet is important to you, you will likely have to pay a little more (but for many of us this is money well spent). Once you're considering midrange hotels, you can find some great quality accommodation. There are some very dependable chain hotels that you'll find throughout India. They're most common in larger cities, and you know you can typically rely on their quality. If you're looking for a chain, consider Country Inns, Ginger, or Neemrana. The prices for these hotels vary from Rs 1000 to Rs 4000 per night. Alternatively you could stay at a locally owned facility. These are typically cheaper, but they are of varying quality so read some reviews before committing.