Hi Everyone,

I am considering staying in India for a few months, maybe Bangalore with side trips to Mumbai, Goa and elsewhere.

Does anyone know of the best websites to book discount hotels in Bangalore?

My experience travelling around the world is that the each city tends to have a local company that has a web site with the best rates. For example, in Bangkok, I get the best rates at Agoda but in Chiang Mai, I get the best rates (for Chiang Mai) with ThaiHotels.

I like to stay at 5 and 4 star properties at deep discounts

Any help?

these are the popular sites in india

Hotels India Discount Hotel Budget Air Tickets Flight Tickets - TravelGuru.com
Book Lowest Price International Airline ticket Flights, Hotels Reservation, Air Travel Holiday Packages, Cheapest Honeymoon Flight Cheap Online With Yatra
Flights, Cheap Hotels at MakeMyTrip - India's No 1 Travel Site | Guaranteed Low Cost Air Tickets, Holiday Packages, Bus & Rail Tours

Thanks!

I checked and the rates were a higher than I expected considering the global economic crisis, H1N1 and all the other world's problems, but then again, I don't have much travel experience in India and don't know the properties at all !!

In Bangkok and Chiang Mai, I know the properties very well, for example, which properties are newly renovated, the best locations, river views, good free breakfasts, free (and fast) WiFi, etc. I can stay in very nice 4 star hotels with amazing service with free breakfast and WiFi for 2000Rs/night (around 40 USD/night) in CM and 2500rs/night (around $50 USD) in Bangkok due to the drop in tourism. However, Thailand is quite politically unstable and this is the low season as well.

When are the high and low seasons in Southern India?

From what I have heard, the hotel rates in Bangalore are very expensive.

A couple of years back, we had company folks coming in from the US and I remember them saying it was somewhere between 300 - 400 USD. Yes, the 5 star hotels here are very expensive. I am not quite sure about the 4 star though.

Given the recession, most luxury hotels have cut down on the free breakfast offer. Also, I have never heard of free WiFi so far but it may be there. But, dont get discouraged.

Frankly speaking, I think serviced apartments are the best choice given the long stay.

Here are a couple of them
http://www.homesteadbangalore.com/
http://www.woodroseclub.com/guestroo..._cs_id=2491123
http://www.halcyoncondos.com/

I haven't been to any of them and so I cant comment on them.

Welcome to India, Neo

Check this, http://cleartrip.com
though I stay in 4 and 5 star rated hotels.

Thanks!

I'm only in the early planning phase at this point. I was surprised to see the prices in Bangalore so high, considering the world economic crisis.

Is this the high season in southern India?

-----Post Update-----

The trouble I have with booking service apartments (remotely or locally) is that you never know what you are getting into. So, if you book it and your neighbor has 3 screaming children or there is construction outside your window, you are stuck at that property.

My problem is I have only been to Delhi (two times as I recall) and that was a very long time ago. I want to visit more vibrant, modern cities and know about "modern India"...... and eat a lot of bhindi masala and garlic naan :-)

How about Goa?

Hi Neo,
not sure how old you are but if you are above 30 what I assume you might enjoy Kerala, too ... the beaches are just beautiful, Cochin is very interesting and you have to see the backwaters.
If you're in any of the bigger cities in India you can buy a weekend travel guide that has a lot of tips and adresses of high quality lodges for very low prices in it. 2 years ago I spent 4 weeks all around Goa and Kerala and rarely spent more than 30 dollars per night for really first class accomodation. You might even enjoy a few nights on one of the houseboats.
For Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore - try to find someone in the city you trust and have him book for you. People living there know usually the nice and clean hotels that are maybe not 5 star but you can have excellent places for 60-80 dollars when you stay for a while. And unfortunately you have to pay for your internet almost everywhere.
Regards
zxmaus