Accommodation

Categories of hotels :

We broadly divide the hotels in the following categories :

Corporate / Chain hotels : We will call these -Chain hotels. These are mostly located in major cities. These usually have more than 50 rooms.
Small / Owner managed hotels : We will call these -Small hotel. These could be located in major cities or smaller towns and usually have 20 or less rooms
Remote area hotels : These are usually located in remote areas – near National Parks, Mountains or other remote areas.

Accommodation Booking Basis

EP: (European Plan) Room only
CP: (Continental Plan) Includes breakfast
MAP:(Modified American Plan) Includes breakfast and one major meals (lunch or dinner)
AP:(American Plan) Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

Types of beds in a room

Single Bed: May have 1 or 2 separate beds, but will allow only a single traveler.
Double Bed: May have a king/queen size joined bed, accommodates two adults.
Twin Bed: Will have two separate beds. The hotel allocates twin bed rooms on request and based on availability. There is no guarantee that the hotel will allocate twin beds even on request.
Extra Bed: Some hotels allows extra bed to accommodate a third person (adult or children)

Children's Accommodation :

Children up-to 6 years are accommodated at no additional costs.
Children above 6 year’s will be charged an additional rate (including extra bed), according to the respective policy of each hotel.

Check-in and Check-out time at hotels (average):

Check-in: 13:00 hrs
Check-out: 11:00 hrs

** Early Check-in and Late-Check Out depends on each individual hotel and their respective policy and decision regarding the same.

Amenities and services:

Location / Road condition:
Some hotels in the mountain / remote areas may have uneven approach road. In some cases, they might send their own 4 wheel drive to bring you to the property.

Reaching your room
If you have difficulty in walking or climbing stairs, then please let us know in advance. We will check if the rooms are at a distance from the dining area or reception and if there is any stairs climbing involved.

Lift to upper floors
We try to avoid booking hotels that have more than 2 floors. These hotels usually do not install lifts.
Chain hotels : Usually have lifts.
Small and Remote hotels : Usually do not have lifts.

Wheel chair access
Not all hotels in India have wheel chair access or rooms designed for wheel chair maneuver. We have to check with the hotel.

Electricity / Generator power back-up
Chain hotels have generator back-up for electricity.
Small hotels also have battery/generator back-up but air conditioning may not work in some cases
Remote hotels : May or may not have power back-up and even if they have, there could be failures.

Dining in Room/Room service
Chain hotels provide room service.
Small and Remote hotels do not provide room service.

Alcohol license :
Some areas of India – State of Gujarat, Some areas of Madhya Pradesh, Some areas of North East are “dry” areas where alcoholic drinks are not sold or served.
Chain hotels usually have bar service/alcohol license where it is allowed.
Small and Remote hotels in most cases do not have bar service/alcohol license.

Food Options / Selections :
Chain hotels : Usually have a wide variety of menu and in some cases multiple restaurants within the premises.
Small an remote hotels : Usually offer a limited option for food items. In many forest and mountain lodges the food is served only a as a fixed buffet and they offer bookings only on MAP or AP basis.

Wifi Internet
Chain hotels : Wifi is available.
Small hotels : Usually wifi is available, but the signal could be weak or not reach the rooms.
In remote area/mountain areas : Wifi/internet may not be available.

Air-conditioning
Chain hotels : In most cases have centralized air Conditioning.
Small hotels : Provide separate air conditioning units in each room. Bathrooms are not air conditioned. Guests are expected to switch the air conditioner off when not in use.
Remote hotels : Air Conditioning is not required in mountains.

Heating
Chain hotels : In most cases have centralized heating..
Small hotels : Provide small heaters in rooms. Guests are expected to switch the heater off when not in use.
Remote hotels : Usually provide small heaters in rooms. Guests are expected to switch the heater off when not in use.
In some cases in remote areas heating is only available in the evening and night.
In some cases in remote areas heating could be by wood burning stove.

Hot water
Chain hotels : In most cases have centralized water heater or individual water heater in bathroom.
Small hotels : Usually individual water heater in bathroom.
Remote hotels : In the mountains, sometimes during the winter months water heating is not possible and hot water is provided in buckets to wash. This is likely to be in limited quantity.

Swimming Pool
Chain hotels : Usually have swimming pool.
Small and remote hotels : In majority cases there is no pool.

In house qualified Medical Assistance
Chain hotels : Only in very expensive hotels.
Small and remote hotels : No.