One of the big advantages of booking an India tour package is that the potential headache what to see and where to stay will be included in the travel deal, so saving you the problem of researching and booking suitable accommodation. Even so, whoever you book your India travel arrangements with, you should be careful to check up on the kind of accommodation that they use, as hotels, hostels and retreats can vary enormously in their quality and facilities in this vast land.

The more exclusive, international tour companies may offer anything from boutique mid price hotels rooms to stays in the more opulent hotels in India. In contrast, if you book your India tour through a locally owned travel agent, you may find the accommodation quite rustic and basic, by Western standards. Remember also that if you are looking for a cheap India hotel, it might be worth investigating one of the many state government run places, as these often provide excellent value for money.

Another thing to consider is the location of your hotel. You may feel that being in the centre of a city, near all the tourist sights, is ideal. However, Indian cities are quite different from those in Australia and can be both overwhelming and confronting to those unused to so much noise, commotion and bustling humanity. Although choosing a hotel in the middle of town can be both an enriching experience and hugely convenient, don't forget to look into accommodation in quieter suburbs or more rural areas.

We suggest mixing it up a bit and trying various styles of accommodation to get a taste of everything. So why not stay in a luxury hotel in New Delhi, a beach resort or bungalow in Goa and finish lazing on a houseboat in Kerala or Jammu and Kashmir? India is the original land of stark contrasts and staying in as many different locations and type of accommodation as possible is just another way to absorb even more of this mesmerizing country.

Whatever your preference, at the height of the tourist season and during state and national holidays and festivals many of the more desirable Indian hotels can get booked out, so it is often wise to call or email well ahead of schedule to reserve a room. After all, there is nothing worse than having to take a room somewhere unsuitable just because you didn't plan in advance.

Whether you are seeing India as part of a tailor made tour or visiting as an independent traveler, it pays to check out all your accommodation options online before you go. There are plenty of travel forums and websites offering reviews and guest feedback for hotels, resorts, backpackers, ashrams and bungalows all over the country, so it makes sense to do a little bit of background work before you commit to stay at a particular place.

Also, if you are travelling as part of a tour group, be sure to give the organisers honest feedback on the accommodation that they offer. An all-inclusive India tour can be expensive, so it should be up to the standard that you'd expect for your money.