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| Major metropolitan
cities have a selection of deluxe hotels, some of which
are part of international chains. All important tourist
destinations too have at least one deluxe hotel. Classified
as five star deluxe, facilities include central airconditioning,
sumptuous decor that usually takes as its theme local art
traditions, health clubs, a choice of dining that includes
Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine and a discotheque.
Facilities for the business traveler encompass secretarial
services, telex and mini conference rooms. Accommodation
in all deluxe hotels can be booked internationally by telex
or fax or through a travel agent. |
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| Each metropolitan
city also has a wide range of budget hotels. Classified
according to the facilities they offer, these hotels range
from four star down to one star. An excellent choice in
the budget range is state government run hotels which normally
are conveniently located and have uniform standards of comfort.
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Beach resort hotels
commonly span every taste and budget. Luxury hotels have
prime locations the decor enhancing the natural settings,
and cuisine based on local seafood specialties. Lower down
the line, simple beach hotels and cottages cater to the
budget traveler.
Resort hotels are generally seasonal. Attractive off season
rates are often offered. This coupled with quiet surroundings
provide excellent value for money. |
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| The keynote of
hill resort hotels is cosy comfort. Pine paneled and centrally
heated deluxe resorts are usually open throughout the year
in contrast to budget hotels which are ideal for the summer.
Many budget hotels in hill resorts cater to trekkers. At
such places extensive arrangements can be made for treks,
including the hiring of equipment. |
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| Wildlife sanctuaries
have yet another type of resort. Located close to if not
actually within the game park, wildlife resorts cater specifically
to wildlife enthusiasts and offer every kind of related
service. It is here that forest rangers, guides and motor
vehicles can be hired for wildlife viewing. Most resorts,
whether of the luxury or the budget variety, have an ambiance
that highlights the surroundings. |
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The most interesting
feature of a visit to many erstwhile princely states is
a stay at a palace hotel. While the majority of these fall
within the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, Mysore in Karnataka
and Srinagar in Kashmir also have palace hotels. Former
rules have turned their palaces into carefully refurbished
hotels which offer modern luxuries in royal settings. Some
palace hotels are run by the owning family, others by international
hotel chains.
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| For the budget
traveler, Rajasthan's haveli hotels offer good value for
money making up in atmosphere what they lack in modern amenities.
Havelis, three storied houses built around courtyards, have
tiny stained glass windows, and were once owned by nobles
of ruling families. |
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| The adventurous
budget traveler who visits places of pilgrimage can choose
to stay in a dharamshala, a dormitory style commune open
to pilgrims. While the accent is undoubtedly on providing
free accommodation to the devout, it is an unusual way of
experiencing one aspect of life in India. |
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| Youth hostels that
dot the country offer inexpensive lodgings which can be
booked in advance. Every tourist destination in India has
dormitory accommodation for the traveler on a limited budget.
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| No visit to Kashmir
is complete without a stay in a houseboat. Moored on Srinagar's
Dal and Nagin lakes, houseboats are akin to floating two
or three bedroom hotels, wood paneled and upholstered with
chintz. Tariffs vary with the category of the houseboat:
deluxe at one end and class D at the other. All deluxe houseboats
have international links with travel agencies who can make
advance bookings. |
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