India Guide
Orissa
Accommodation
1 BNR (South Eastern Railway Hotel) CT Rd 
06752/222063 
bnr@hotmail.com Recently refurbished but retaining much of the old-world charm that made it the premier bolt-hole for Calcutta's burra- and memsahibs. Turbaned bearers with big belts pad barefoot around the wide verandas. A must for Rajophiles, even if only for dinner. Price: Rs501–1500
2 Dreamland Cottage off CT Rd 06752/224122 Not exactly roses around the door, but homely and relaxed, with a leafy secluded garden dotted with birdcages. Five rooms all with attached bath, but no a/c. Price: Under Rs200
3 
Gandhara International CT Rd 06752/224117 
www.hotelgandhara.com Rooms to suit most budgets, all with hot showers and TV, and most giving excellent views of the surrounding area; also dorms around a courtyard. It has two roof terraces and a restaurant serving excellent and authentic Japanese food on request, as well as Internet, a good travel agent, and free poste restante. The staff are welcoming and helpful, and the beach opposite is relatively salubrious. Price: Dorms Rs50, rooms under Rs2000
4 Hans Coco Palms Marine Drive 06752/230038 www.hanshotels.com Modern complex in a superb setting 2km west of the centre; all rooms are a/c and overlook the sea. There's a pool, bar and restaurant, and the beach here is pleasant. Price: Rs3001-5000
5 Kasi's Castle CT Rd 06752/224522. Welcoming family house offering irregular but excellent home-cooking. Nine simple, unblemished rooms, each with attached bath. Price: Rs201–1000
6 Love and Life CT Rd 06752/224433 loveandlife@hotmail.com Popular with the many young Japanese visitors to Puri, this place has an easy-going atmosphere and a good restaurant. The clean rooms all have an attached bath, and are either in the main block or in cottages in the garden. Price: Dorm Rs50, rooms under Rs1500
7 Mayfair Beach Resort Off CT Rd 06752/227800 www.mayfairhotels.com Luxury chalets and rooms looking down through palm trees to a pool and the beach. Five-star facilities, including a massage parlour, a bar and an excellent a/c indoor restaurant and an open-air-veranda dining room that offer Puri's best option for an extravagant evening away from dhal and rice. A top-class chef whips up a delicious and unusually adventurous menu, including Orissan seafood specialities (order 8hr in advance). Recommended. Price: Rs3001-5000
8 OTDC Panthaniwas off CT Rd 06752/222562 www.panthanivas.com A good-value hotel, where some of the plain but spacious rooms catch sea breezes; the old Raj-era building has more atmosphere. There's a pleasant restaurant, a bar and garden. Price: Rs201–1500
9 Pink House Off CT Rd 06752/222253 Laid-back, pinky-red pad, right on the beach at the edge of the fishing village, with its very own travellers' scene and an adjacent restaurant. Price: Under Rs300
10 Rangers Puri-Konark Marine Drive 06752/211057, freethinker.sanjay@gmail.com Two cottages and a camping area secluded among trees adjacent to the beach, 15km from Puri (Rs100 by auto-rickshaw) and 20km from Konark. As close to a lonely beach paradise as you're likely to find around Puri, but less convenient for actually visiting Puri or Konark. A restaurant serves Chinese and Indian food, and bicycles, kites, parasail and fishing equipment can be hired from the knowledgeable and friendly owner, Mr Samantaray. Price: Camping Rs200, cottages Rs450
11 Samudra Off CT Rd 06752/222705 One of the best mid-range hotels in Puri. The light and airy rooms all have balconies facing the sea; in the tranquillity of the evening you can hear the waves breaking on the beach. Good restaurant serving excellent Puri bhaji for breakfast. Price: Rs301–1500
12 Santana Lodge At the very end of CT Rd 06752/251491 hotelsantana@hotmail.com Small, pleasant hotel geared up for travellers; especially popular with the Japanese. Prices include breakfast and communal dinner. Price: Under Rs300
13 Sri Balajee Lodge CT Rd 06752/223388 Some way beyond most of the other hotels, this small lodge has simple rooms around a colourful courtyard. Price: Under Rs500
14 Sun Row Cottages CT Rd 06752/223259 chitranjan@hotmail.com Little cottages, each with a private veranda, big cane chairs and attached bath. Rates are reduced for long stays. Price: Under Rs300
15 Toshali Sands Konark Rd 06752/250571 www.toshalisands.com Self-styled "ethnic village" 9km north of town, consisting of a/c cottages grouped around a garden and pool. Good restaurant, gym and sauna; ideal for families. Doubles from $45. Price: Rs3001 and above
16 Z CT Rd 06752/222554 www.zhotelindia.com An institution, the Z (pronounced "jed") made its name by providing cheap, clean and comfortable rooms. Prices are higher now, but the rooms are still pleasant and there are plenty of communal areas, including a large garden and a common room with TV. Women-only dorm also available. Price: Dorm Rs75, rooms Rs201–500