Where to stay in India?

In New Friends Colony, a residential district in south Delhi, far from the crush of Old Delhi. For a quiet hostel, with a rickshaw or taxi to reach the monuments.

In a lane in Paharganj, Gali Chandi Wali, near New Delhi station. For small budgets taking the train to Agra or Jaipur who want simple places nearby.

On Arakashan Road, in Ram Nagar, on the edge of Paharganj and New Delhi station. For a simple, practical hotel between two trains, with Old Delhi by rickshaw.

In Golf Links, away from the main roads. For a quiet hotel near the gardens, with a taxi to Humayun's Tomb and India Gate.

The hotel overlooks the Delhi Golf Club course and is a few minutes from Humayun's Tomb.

On Lodhi Road, in the south-east of central Delhi. For a quiet design hotel next to the Lodhi Gardens, with a taxi to Humayun's Tomb.

On Sardar Patel Marg, in the diplomatic enclave, among the tree-lined avenues of New Delhi. For a large, quiet hotel, with India Gate and the gardens by taxi.

Bukhara, the hotel restaurant known for its North-West Frontier tandoor cooking, should be booked in advance.

In Taj Ganj, on Taj East Gate Road. For a hostel on the road to the Taj's East Gate, with other travellers to share the sunrise with.

In Taj Ganj, on Taj East Gate Road, with a view of the Taj. For seeing the monument from the hostel and walking to the East Gate at daybreak.

In Taj Ganj, on Circuit House Road. For a simple hotel as close as possible to the Taj Mahal, when you want to be in the queue at opening time without transport.

On Taj East Gate Road, the closest of the big hotels to the Taj. For those who want the monument in view from the hotel and direct access to the East Gate.

The hotel is 600 m from the Taj's East Gate; buggies shuttle guests to the entrance.

On Taj East Gate Road, in Taj Ganj, a hotel surrounded by Mughal-style gardens. For those who want space after the Taj crowds, with a rickshaw to the East Gate.

The complex won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1980 for its gardens and courtyards.

In Kheria, on Fatehabad Road, the strip of Agra's large hotels. For a quiet stay away from the lanes of Taj Ganj, with the monument and the fort a few minutes away by car.

On Fatehabad Road, in Kheria, a chain hotel on the road to the Taj Mahal. For setting off by rickshaw at sunrise and ending the day in the bazaars of Taj Ganj.

On Sansar Chandra Road, in Bani Park. For a simple, quiet hotel away from the old city, with the bazaars and the Hawa Mahal by tuk-tuk.

On Gopinath Marg, in Bani Park, 1.9 km from the centre of Jaipur. For a hostel in a residential district, with the old city, Hawa Mahal and the bazaars a few minutes away by tuk-tuk.

On Ajmer Road, in Sodala. For a palace surrounded by gardens, very close to the centre, with the bazaars and the City Palace a few minutes away by tuk-tuk.

An 18th-century palace in 18 acres of Mughal gardens, a stone's throw from the centre.

On Goner Road, in Kho Nagoriya, in the countryside. For those who want peace and pavilions set in gardens, with a car for the city and Amber.

The 32-acre estate is laid out around an 18th-century Shiva temple that is still in use.

On the Palace Road side, on the edge of Bani Park, outside the walls of the old city. For a large hotel to explore from, with Hawa Mahal, the Jantar Mantar and the bazaars a few minutes away by car.

On Silavat Vari Road. For a chain hostel where you meet other travellers, with a tuk-tuk to the ghats and Lake Pichola in the evening.

On Lake Pichola, a palace set on an island reached by boat. For those who come to Udaipur to sleep on the water, facing the City Palace.

A summer palace built in 1746 on Jag Niwas island; access is by boat from the City Palace.

On the shore of Lake Pichola, away from the old city. For a luxury hotel styled like a palace, with the lake opposite and a car for the ghats.

On Lake Pichola Road, on the lakeshore. For a modern luxury hotel with the lake opposite, and a taxi or boat to the ghats and the City Palace.