Hotels in Pune

Pune has a vast selection of hotels, including several newly built upscale properties aimed at the burgeoning business market. Many of these are very conveniently located within walking distance of the Osho Resort, which also has its own very efficient, very Zen, guesthouse.

In addition to the better-located hotels reviewed, another interesting choice is Pune's very own version of The Gordon House Hotel (132A University Rd., Ganeshkind; tel. 022/6604-4100/4; www.ghhotel.com) where, as with the two sister hotels in Mumbai, rooms are characterized by a theme. You can go for the clean-lined Ikea look of the Scandinavian rooms or the overly dainty apple green and floral ensemble in the Country rooms -- but we definitely think you'll have more fun in either the macho "Don's Den" or minimalist "Zen & Now" suites. The hotel has a lovely light-filled lounge, a restaurant with live music, a spa, and access to a five-screen multiplex and shopping mall, all of which is only going to prove distracting if you're trying to get in touch with the inner you through daily meditation.

A Home Away from Home in Pune -- Pune's packed with accommodations, but most of these cater to the city's multitudinous business travelers -- so if you want anonymity and kid-glove service you'll find it easily enough. The perfect antidote for anyone who's grown weary of hotel blandness is Casa Nava (tel. 98-2316-9507; www.casanava.com), a string of individually designed apartments (from studios to three-bedroom units) that can be rented for a day, a week, or as long as you want. Each flat is personally furnished and decorated by Nava Sanders, an Israeli interior designer who arrived in Pune 15 years ago and fell in love with the place. Today, she braves the traffic on her little scooter, keeping an eye on nearly 30 different places in and around the tree-filled lanes of Koregaon Park, and all convenient for the Meditation Resort. Each chic little unit has its own character -- decor is a mix of effervescent European design, traditional Indian art, hand-picked fabrics (and curtains made from recycled saris), and bold colors or cheerful motifs that tie everything together. Each bright, light-filled, slightly boho property is tended by a housekeeper and there's a handyman to deal with any potential problems. It's like being a full-on resident, but without the hassle. Besides which, Nava herself is always on hand to assist -- she recommends restaurants, gyms, spas, and salons, helps with travel arrangements, and lets you in on the best shopping secrets. Top picks include the Zen-simple White House apartment, with a rooftop balcony poised above the neighborhood park, and the "Studio Flat" at Casa Shanti -- an enormous space with a river view, statues of Hindu gods, and a wonderful, partially covered terrace. Each unit has a full kitchen with enough bits and pieces to make it feel just like home -- Nava will show you where to shop for groceries. All this, and the price is just perfect, too -- from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 per night for a one-bedroom apartment, to Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,000 for a two-bedroom unit; there are larger places, too. Your laundry gets done for Rs 200 per week, and most electricity (within reason) is included in the price.