India Guide
Tamil Nadu
Accommodation
1 Aarathy 9 Perumal Koil, off South Masi St 
0452/233 1571 Great location overlooking the Kundalagar Temple, so often booked up. All rooms have TV, others have a/c and a balcony – some are better than others, so ask to see a range before checking in. There's an excellent a/c restaurant which extends out into the courtyard where the temple elephant is led through each morning and afternoo; the blissfully cool a/c interior serves filling, surprisingly inexpensive and excellent lunch-time thalis (Rs40). Price: Rs301–1000
2 Fortune Pandyan Racecourse Rd, north of the river 0452/253 7090 
www.fortunepandiyanhotel.com Smart, centrally a/c hotel with large comfortable rooms, all with TV and lavishly decorated with period-style furnishings. It's quiet and relaxed, being some way out of town, and there's a good restaurant, bar, exchange facilities and a travel agency. Price: Rs3001 and above
3 International 46/80 West Perumal Maistry St 0452/537 746 Recently renovated lodge with lackadaisical service, but the rooms (some a/c) are decent and all have cable TV. Price: Rs201–1000
4 New College House 2 Town Hall Rd 0452/234 2971, 
info@newcollegehouse.com This huge, maze-like place has more than 200 rooms (a few with a/c), and one of the town's best "meals" canteens on the ground floor – lunch time, when huge piles of Rs30 pure-veg food are served on banana leaves to long rows of locals, is a real deep-south experience; and the coffee's pure Coorg. The very cheapest rooms are grubby, but there are likely to be vacancies here when everywhere else is full. Price: Rs201–1000
5 Padmam 1 Perumal Tank West St 0452/234 0702 hotelpadmam@hotmail.com Clean, comfortable and modern hotel, centrally located and with a rooftop restaurant. The views from the front-side rooms, overlooking the ruined Perumal tank, are worth paying extra for. Price: Rs501-1000
6 Prem Nivas 102 West Perumal Maistry St 0452/234 2532 premnivas@eth.net. From the outside this place looks a lot swankier than it is, but the spacious attached rooms (some with a/c) make it among the best deals in the city; singles are especially good value. Price: Rs301–1000
7 Rathna Residency 109 West Perumal Maistry St 0452/537 4444 www.hotelrathnaresidency.com Standard lower mid-range hotel with decent, clean a/c and non-a/c rooms (the latter are better value), plus two restaurants, one on the rooftop. Price: Rs301–1000
8 Sangam Alagar Koil Rd 0452/253 7531 www.hotelsangam.com Situated in its own grounds on the northern outskirts of town, this plush, centrally a/c hotel has very comfortable rooms (from $165), 24hr room service, bar, currency exchange, swimming pool and pleasant gardens. Price: Rs5001 and above
9 
Sree Devi 20 West Avani Moola St 0452/234 7431 Excellent-value, spotless non-a/c doubles right next to the temple mean this place is always filled with foreigners. For a romantic splurge, splash out on their "deluxe" a/c rooftop room, which has matchless views over the western gopura. No restaurant, but they will order in food and beer for you. Price: Under Rs1000
10 Supreme 110 West Perumal Maistry St 0452/234 3151 www.supremehotels.com A large, swish and central hotel, with a great rooftop restaurant, an a/c restaurant on the ground floor and a choice of comfortable a/c and non-a/c rooms in a seven-storey block; the more expensive have temple views. It's a little overpriced, but has good facilities including a 24hr forex desk, Internet access and travel counter. Book in advance. Price: Rs501–1500
11 Taj Garden Retreat 40 TPK Rd, Pasumalai Hills 0452/260 1020 www.tajhotels.com Madurai's most exclusive hotel, in a beautifully refurbished colonial house set within 25 acres of manicured gardens in the hills overlooking the city and temples, albeit 6km out. Of the three categories of room, the superior ones in the old colonial building are the most atmospheric, but the deluxe have the best views. Facilities include a gourmet restaurant, swimming pool, tennis court and bar. Rooms start at $150. Price: Rs5001 and above
12 TTDC Hotel Tamil Nadu I West Veli St 0452/233 7471 www.ttdconline.com Somewhat out on a limb, away from the atmosphere of the temples and the bazaar, but with spacious rooms (some a/c) overlooking a leafy courtyard. The cheapest rooms are especially good value. Price: Rs201–1000