Hotels

Decent budget rooms are all but nonexistent in Kolkata, and quality mid-range accommodations are also hard to find. For rooms under $70 (£35) you have two good options, both downtown in the busy Chowringhee area. Fairlawn Hotel is a famous option but Middleton Inn, a neat 21-room business hotel at 10 Middleton St. (tel. 033/2216-0449 through -0452) may suit you more. The Inn's dull entrance belies the scrupulously clean deluxe air-conditioned doubles that go for just Rs 2,500 ($61/£31), including breakfast. Service in general is crisp and courteous, and though there's no restaurant, they have 24-hour room service. If neither of these options is available, we highly recommend that you revise your budget to stay at one of the higher-end properties.