The name India is derived from Indus, which is derived from the Old Persian word Hindu, from Sanskrit Sindhu, the historic local name for the Indus River. The ancient Greeks referred to the Indians as Indoi, the people of the Indus. The Constitution of India and common usage in various Indian languages also recognise Bharat as an official name of equal status. Hindustan , which is the Persian word for "Land of the Hindus" and historically referred to northern India, is also occasionally used as a synonym for all of India.
India is a federal republic of twenty-eight states and seven Union Territories.
All states, the union territory of Puducherry, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi have elected governments.
The other five union territories have centrally appointed administrators and hence are under direct rule of the President.
In 1956, under the States Reorganisation Act, states were formed on a linguistic basis.
Since then, this structure has remained largely unchanged.
Each state or union territory is divided into basic units of government and administration called districts.
There are nearly 600 districts in India.
The districts in turn are further divided into tehsils and eventually into villages.
Note: Inasra.com has hotels affiliated in over 465 districts in India.
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There is an huge variety in types of accommodation available in India. It does not matter if you are a back-packer looking for a budget hotel or a business tycoon looking for a luxurious and exotic hotel stay in India. Hotels and dormitories can be found from Rs 100 (per head tariff) in a large number of places. Even in cities like (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore..) hotel rooms can be booked for Rs 400 - 500 ($10-$12).
The sudden boom in the economy (non-agricultural) has lead to the average increase in house hold income for the middle class. As a result their spending has also increased, particularly for travel related activities. This has lead to a situation where demand for hotel accommodation far outstrips the supply. Indian Hotels have had and are having record occupancy rates in the recent times. The average occupancy rate for hotels in major cities are more than 70% and for some are hovering around 80%. This has lead to a dramatic increase in the price of hotel rooms. From 2003, the room tariffs have had a combined rise of almost a whopping 300%.
The price increase has not reached a plateau yet even though the hotel occupancy rate has hit a plateau. The interesting thing to watch out for is the fact that, even though the occupancy rates are no longer rising, the price is still seeing a yearly growth of at-least 50%. This suggests that there is still a severe shortage of rooms or that people are so enamored with the hotel industry that they are willing to pay higher and higher price for the same rooms. The former seems to be a more likely case. General advice for securing rooms is to plan and book early. [ Though some quarters assign the cause of price rise to increased international tourists, the numbers suggests otherwise. The number of International tourists has increased by 80% (provisional) from 2003 till 2007 (yet India's share in International Tourism market is un-palpable, hovering below 1%.) ]
The market in a predictable way is trying to provide some quick short term solutions while still investing and building a longer term solution. As the hotel industry requires a huge upfront capital to build the infrastructure (which also takes time to build), other innovative solutions have come to be the saviors at the moment. Lots of Serviced Apartments offering accommodation (and nothing else or limited service) have come up. These are usually small buildings or bungalows with many rooms, converted into a decent place for lodging. But some big real estate players have also entered into this field providing good rooms at good prices.
The drawback to serviced apartments is that, it is scalable and profitable mostly in the major cities as the capital required for starting and running this is by no means something to sneeze at. Smaller districts and other tourist spots have hit upon the idea of an Homestay. The Government of Kerala is actively promoting Homestays, with locals registering with them to get some respectability and trustworthiness in the eyes of the customers. The concept of Homestay is unique in that you get to experience the local culture first hand with a knowledgeable guide who also doubles up as your accommodation service provider and caretaker. This concept has been a major boon to lots of retirees who have found a great opportunity not only to make money but also to spend their time meeting and learning about new places and culture. Lots of bond created during this brief period live on for a long time.
There exists a couple of variations of the Homestay concept. In Coorg it has metamorphosed into an Estate stay. The customer gets to stay in a Coffee or a Tea estate and also has a chance to see the local culture and take part in it to a greater degree. Some of these estate accommodations have repeat customers who keep coming back for the peace, seclusion and the panoramic view. Though, it must be mentioned that Coorg also has its share of Homestays. In the North, particularly in Rajasthan, old palaces and in fact any old habitable building have been converted into Hotels with a classification of Heritage Hotels. These building have been renovated keeping in mind the historic value and cultural implications of the building.
Another variation has been the house-boats. These house-boats have been common in Kashmir for quite some time. Kerala, though a late adopter, has definitely promoted and executed this well to its great benefit. Majority of the gentry in Kerala who are into agriculture find that they have no work and therefore no income for as long as 6 months in a year. The concept of house-boats has provided an alternative source of income to them and employment to the agricultural laborers.
One of many hotels in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
One of many hotels in Andhra Pradesh
Location
20-6-5, Seethapathirao Street, Kakinada, East Godavari District, Kakinada, 533001
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Jaya Residency is the best known address in Kakinada. It has 54 elegantly appointed well-furnished rooms. Its location in the commercial centre of the city adds to the popularity of this hotel. Tasty food, clean, comfortable accommodatio...
One of many hotels in Arunachal Pradesh
Location
Zero Point, Tinali, Itanagar, 791111
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Room service, H/C running water, Telephone,
One of many hotels in Assam
Location
A. T. Road, Guwahati, 781 001
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About Us : Situated in the heart of the Guwahati City, this well-appointed, top-of-the-line hotel, is nearest to the LGB Airport in its category. Vishwaratna Hotel is close to the city's prime commercial and shopping centre. It is ten mi...
One of many hotels in Bihar
Location
Veer Chand Patel Path, Patna, 800001
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No pick up drop. Patna stands on the historic site of Pataliputra, a city founded nearly 25 centuries ago. Hotel Pataliputra Ashok also has unique low-tariff day-rooms especially designed for those making a brief stop-over in this capit...
One of many hotels in Chandigarh
Location
Sector 10, Chandigarh, 160011
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Welcome to the world of Hotel Mountview at Chandigarh - a city that is the hub of travel to the adjoining states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The Hotel is the only five star Hotel in the Region North of Delhi. Against the bac...
One of many hotels in Chhattisgarh
Location
Kawardha Dist, Opp Raj Mahal, Kawardha, 491995
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One of many hotels in Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Location
Opp. Vandhara Garden Naroli Road, Silvassa, 396230
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The Damanganaga Valley Resort is a luxury resort of International Standard, set on 23 acres of lush garden and river front. DGVR creats the magic and romance of a luxury boutique hotel while having the amenities and vibrant attraction o...
One of many hotels in Daman and Diu
Location
Devka Beach, Daman , Daman, 396210
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One of many hotels in Delhi
Location
11, Sundar Nagar,Opp to Pragati Maidan, Delhi, 110003
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Absolutely New, Hotel Shervani is a centrally located modern hotel in close proximity (3 kms) to business centres like Connaught Place & Nehru Place. It is walking distance from the famous exhibition ground "Pragati Maidan" where all nat...
One of many hotels in Goa
Location
Miramar beach, Panjim , Goa, 403001
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Welcome to Hotel Solmar, Panjim's most popular resort located on the famous Miramar beach and relish true Goan hospitalists
* A goverment approved 2-star Hotel
* Located in Miramar beach, 4 km. from Panjim city(...
One of many hotels in Gujarat
Location
Pritam Nagar, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad, 380006
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The Hotel Maruti is located in a calm and posh locality of Ahmedabad, only 11 kms from the Airport and 5 kms from the Railway Station & having an easy asses to office and commercial business complexes and centers. It also provides a brea...
One of many hotels in Haryana
Location
L - 27 / 2, DLF City Phase – II,Behind Private Hospital, Gurgaon, 122002
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Located adjacent to business & commercial hub, Pratishtha Holiday Inn, Gurgaon, India is conveniently located adjacent to Jaipur Highway & National Highway No. 8. Metropolitan & City Centre Malls are only 10 minutes walking distance away...
One of many hotels in Himachal Pradesh
Location
Naddi PO Dal Lake Village, Distt.Kangra, Dharamshala, 176216
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Hotel Udechee Huts is nestled on a hillock facing the Dhauladhar snow glacier. The approximate height is about 7,000 feet. There are numerous interesting picnic spots, trekking routes and delightful walks. It is approximately 5 k.m. from...
One of many hotels in Jammu and Kashmir
Location
Near Gulmarg Bus Stand, Gulmarg, 01954
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One of many hotels in Jharkhand
Location
Mahatma Gandhi Marg (Main Road),Next to Punjab Sweet's, Ranchi, 834001
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Jupiter is the fifth planet in order from the Sun with fourteen Moons and it is the largest in the solar system. In Greek mythology, Zeus is the Jupiter God. He is believed to be the master of heaven and earth. Supreme in the Olympian pa...
One of many hotels in Karnataka
Location
S3 & S4, Silver Springs layout,Spice Garden Compound,Airport- Varthur Road,Marathalli, Bangalore, 560037
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About Hotel:- At Inn Bangalore, we understand that the process of relocation is fraught with complexities. Hence our endeavor is to simplify it as much as we can. By offering security with comfort, we work towards making your stay a deli...
One of many hotels in Kerala
Location
Aswati Plantations Ltd,Kuppamuddi Coffee Estate,Kolagapara, Wayanad, 673591
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Welcome to Tranquil - a private coffee and Vanilla plantation nestled in a picturesque 400 acres within the remote and lush rainforest of Wayanad in north of Kerala, India. If you are looking for a calm and quiet vacation within an envir...
One of many hotels in Lakshadweep
Location
Agatti Island,Agatti,Lakshadweep, Lakshadweep,
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Agatti Island Beach Resort presents a breath taking spectacle of sparkling coral reefs, turquoise blue lagoons, silvery beaches and lush green coconut palms. The resort is located in the most serene spot of the Island. Agatti I...
One of many hotels in Madhya Pradesh
Location
South Civil Line, Opp to Main Branch SBI, Jabalpur, Jabalpur, 482001
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Designed and furnished with tasteful decor, it provides all that you would need away from home. Situated in the posh & peaceful locality of Jabalpur ie. civil lines. Rishi is just minutes away from the High court, Collectorate, Railway S...
One of many hotels in Maharashtra
Location
No-1,Bund Garden Road, Pune, 411001
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Hotel Sagar Plaza is the epitome of the boutique hotel experience. It compliments the city by giving the business and leisure traveler all the requisite comforts, while giving that extra bit more.
The hotel offers multiple ...
One of many hotels in Meghalaya
Location
Lawjynrieu, Nongthymmai, Shillong, 793014
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In 1935, Raibahadur Kanaklal Barua, a prominent citizen of Assam who served as a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council, built a lodge in the popular neo-colonial style of the times. The architect was his son, Tapan Lal Barua, but it ...
One of many hotels in Mizoram
Location
Chaltlang, Aizawl, 796002
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One of many hotels in Nagaland
Location
Post Box No. 140, P.R. Hill, Kohima, 797001
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One of many hotels in Orissa
Location
Saheed Nagar Bhubaneshwar, Bhubaneshwar, 751007
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A heaven of comfort and hospitality in the heart of Bhubaneswar , very near to the commercial and business districts, the hotel's plush and warm interiors are tastefully decorated in rich Rajasthani style.
...
One of many hotels in Pondicherry
Location
479, Kamaraj Salai, Saram, Pondicherry, 605013
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One of many hotels in Punjab
Location
GR Road, Paragpur, Jalandhar, 144 005
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The Resort speaks your language - Universal language of professionalism.
We believe in laying the foundation of a
lasting relationship with you and have
the uncanny ability of anticipating your needs
to match your lif...
One of many hotels in Rajasthan
Location
Gandhi Colony, Bikaner, 343001
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Karni Bhawan Palace was the royal residence of Maharaja Karni Singh, a modern-day maharaja of Bikaner. It was built in a luxurious art deco style, popular by the 1950s in the US and Europe. Its Doric pillars, ornamental staircases and la...
One of many hotels in Sikkim
Location
M.G.Marg East Sikkim, Gangtok, 737101
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Hotel Golden Heights is situated in the heart of Gangtok town and it is the place to stay if you wish to be at the hub of it all. We invite you to our hotel for a memorable & comfortable stay in Gangtok.
SUITES & ROOMS:A business/...
One of many hotels in Tamil Nadu
Location
Sri Lakshmi Complex,Cross Cut Road,, Coimbatore, 641012
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Hotel Sri Lakshmi,Cross Cut Road,Gandhipuram,
Coimbatore boasts of world class facilities at highly
affordable rates.Facilities at Sri Lakshmi include
luxurious suites, A/c and Non A/c single and double
bed room resta...
One of many hotels in Tripura
Location
Unit of Badshah hotels & Resorts,Near Governor House,Circuit House, Agartala, 799006
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One of many hotels in Uttar Pradesh
Location
59,Patel Nagar, Cantt, Varanasi, 221001
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Our Hotel Is 4 Star Hotel and very near to all tourist points.We have all international standard facilities in rooms and bathrooms.