What is on Your Mind?

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?

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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?

Perhaps you can check in to a hotel and later move out as and when you need.

Goa is nice place. It is known for its beaches; some of which are very crowded, some are much better.
Goa was once under the Portuguese rule and so you will find quite some places to 'tour'.
Goa has so many tourists all round the year. The best time to visit is from Oct - Feb.