India Guide
Uttar Pradesh
Accommodation
1 
Amarvilas East Gate, Taj Ganj 
0562/223 1515 
www.oberoihotels.com Easily the loveliest (and most expensive) hotel in Agra, virtually a work of art in its own right, constructed in a serene blend of Mughal and Moorish styles around a gorgeous charbagh-style courtyard water garden – particularly magical by night. Most rooms have Taj views (prices start at US$780. Facilities include a large pool, idyllic terraced gardens, two smart restaurants and a very chichi bar. Price: Rs5001 and above
2 Host West Gate, Taj Ganj 0562/233 1010 It looks a bit run-down, but rooms – though small and often windowless – are clean and perfectly comfortable; most have air-coolers and all have cable TV, and there's also a fine view of the Taj from the roof. Price: Rs201–500
3 Kamal Chowk Kagzi, South Gate, Taj Ganj 0562/233 0126 
hotelkamal@hotmail.com Right in the thick of the Taj Ganj action, with well-maintained rooms (but no hot showers in the cheapest ones) and a great view from the rooftop restaurant. Price: Rs201–1000
4 Raj 2/26 South Gate, Taj Ganj 09358 107023 Undoubtedly correct in its claim to have the best view of the Taj from its rooftop restaurant, its rooms are pretty plain, but decent enough, certainly for the price, and all have hot running water. Price: Rs201–500
5 Shah Jahan Chowk Kagzi, Taj Ganj 0562/320 0240 Looks grotty at first glance, but the rooms are fresh, clean and good value, and even the cheapest have hot showers. There's a rooftop restaurant, and a well-equipped Internet downstairs. Price: Under Rs500
6 Shanti Lodge Chowk Kagzi, South Gate, Taj Ganj 0562/233 1973 shantilodge2000@yahoo.co.in Popular backpacker lodge with superb Taj views from the rooftop restaurant, but rooms (some with a/c and Taj views) are a mixed bag: those in the old block are poky and not great value; those in the new annexe are larger and smarter. Price: Rs301–1000
7 Sheela East Gate, Taj Ganj 0562/233 1973 www.hotelsheelaagra.com Clean and spacious rooms ranged around a lovely little garden, with fan, air-cooled and a/c options, friendly staff and a good restaurant, but the cheapest rooms aren't such great value, with hot water in buckets only. Price: Rs301–1000
8 Shyam Palace West Gate, Taj Ganj 0562/233 1599 www.hotelshyampalace.com This rather dog-eared establishment has large but slightly shabby rooms plus a peaceful courtyard garden that doubles as a low-key restaurant. Price: Rs301–1000
9 Sidhartha West Gate, Taj Ganj 0562/233 0901 www.hotelsidhartha.com Bigger and better rooms than the other Taj Ganj budget joints, set around a restaurant in a leafy courtyard that includes fragments of Mughal-era walls, but cheapest rooms lack hot running water. Price: Rs301–1000
10 Taj Plaza East Gate, Taj Ganj 0562/223 2515 www.hoteltajplaza.com A slightly more upmarket alternative to the nearby Taj Ganj guesthouses, this small modern hotel has a range of clean, bright air-cooled and a/c rooms with cable TV; the more expensive ones also have good Taj views. Prices are a bit steep, though Rough Guide readers are promised a forty percent discount on published rates (ask when booking). Price: Rs1001–3000
11 Clarks Shiraz 54 Taj Rd 0562/222 6121 www.hotelclarksshiraz.com Sprawling five-star in a pleasant cantonment setting with small but cosy rooms; the more expensive ones with distant Taj views. Facilities include two multi-cuisine restaurants, a bar, swimming pool, basic gym, steam bath, Jacuzzi and beauty salon. Rooms start at US$137. Price: Rs5001 and above
12 Hilltop 21 The Mall 0562/222 6836 hotelhilltopagra@yahoo.com Very run-down but the rooms aren't too bad; all double rooms have hot running water, the cheapest are pretty poky, but the smarter ones are better value. If you're utterly strapped for cash, there are also some ultra-basic cell-like singles with shared bath for just Rs60, and you can camp for Rs100. Rough Guide readers are promised a twenty percent discount. Price: Rs201–1000
13 Sakura Near Idgah Bus Station 0562/242 0169 www.hotelsakuraagra.com Well-run and good-value guesthouse on the west side of town. Rooms (all with air-coolers) are large, bright, spacious and nicely furnished, and the helpful owner is a mine of local information. The only drawback is the rather inconvenient location: handy for bus and train stations, but a bit of a hike from everywhere else. Price: Rs201–1000
14 Tourists Rest House Kutchery Rd, Baluganj 0562/246 3961, dontworrychickencurry@hotmail.com One of Agra's top budget options, with a range of bright, competitively priced rooms around a tranquil leafy courtyard; all have hot running water. There's also a phone booth, Internet facilities, back-up generator and free pick-up from bus or train stations with a day's notice (rickshaw drivers may try to take you to one of the commission-paying "soundalikes"). Price: Rs201–500
15 Yamuna View 6-B The Mall 0562/246 2989 www.hotelyamunaviewagra.com Conveniently central but run-of-the-mill five-star. Rooms are rather plush, though showing a little wear and tear. Facilities include a pool, a bar and a couple of smart restaurants, including the snazzy Mandarin. Doubles from US$116. Price: Rs5001 and above
16 Amar Yatri Niwas Fatehabad Rd 0562/223 3030 www.amaryatriniwas.com Good-value mid-range hotel with well-maintained rooms (the cheaper ones small but still very comfortable) and a multi-cuisine restaurant. Price: Rs1001–3000
17 Atithi Fatehabad Rd 0562/233 0880, www.hotelatithiagra.com Good-sized rooms, not plush but well turned-out, and there's a pool in a yard round the back. A bit impersonal, but the staff aim to please. Price: Rs1501–3000
18 Mansingh Palace Fatehabad Rd 0562/233 1771 www.mansinghhotels.com There's quite an old-fashioned feel to the slightly sombre rooms (doubles from US$158, or $198 for a distant Taj view) at this understated five-star. Facilities include a small pool, health club, multi-cuisine restaurants and a surprisingly chic little Tequila Bar. Price: Rs5001 and above
19 Mayur Tourist Complex Fatehabad Rd 0562/233 2302 mayur268@rediffmail.com Dinky pagoda-like cottages with attached bathrooms around a large garden (generally peaceful, but often used for weddings Nov– Jan). Facilities include a multi-cuisine restaurant, dingy bar and swimming pool. Price: Rs1501-2000
20 Safari Shaheed Nagar, Shamsabad Rd 0562/248 0106 hotelsafari@hotmail.com Friendly and relaxed hotel on the southern side of town. Rooms (fan, air-cooled and a/c) are rather old, but clean and very well looked after, and there are views of the distant Taj from the rooftop café. Good value, though the location is a bit out of the way. Price: Rs301–1000
21 Taj View Fatehabad Rd 0562/223 2400 www.tajhotels.com This boxy little place doesn't look like much from the outside, but has lots of style within. Rooms (some with distant Taj views) are among the most attractive in Agra, cheerfully decorated in orange and white, while public areas are pleasantly plush and there's the usual range of five-star amenities including a pool. Doubles from US$198. Price: Rs5001 and above
22 Trident Hilton Tajnagri, Fatehabad Rd 0562/233 2400 www.trident-hilton.com A peaceful five-star, whose cheerful rooms (including two adapted for wheelchair users) are in low-lying buildings around a spacious garden with a large pool, kids' club, and multi-cuisine restaurant. Doubles start at US$186. Price: Rs5001 and above