Gujarat is India's westernmost state, a broad sweep of Arabian Sea coastline, salt desert, and temple towns on the border with Pakistan and Rajasthan. It holds four UNESCO World Heritage Sites plus the walled city of Ahmedabad, the only Asiatic lion population on earth at Gir, the white salt flats of the Rann of Kutch, and the 182-metre Statue of Unity. It is also an alcohol-prohibition state with a famously vegetarian kitchen, from the multi-course Gujarati thali to Surat's locho and Kutch's dabeli.
Accommodation overview
Gujarat's stays cluster around a few hubs: Ahmedabad's Old City near Lal Darwaja and the Sabarmati riverfront for heritage hotels and business towers, Sasan Gir for forest lodges beside the lion sanctuary, and Bhuj and Dhordo for Kutch and the seasonal Rann Utsav Tent City. Budget rooms in Bhuj, Palitana and Gir are simple and air-conditioned, while Ahmedabad's five-star hotels and converted heritage properties sit at the top of the range. Gujarat is a dry state, so most hotels do not serve alcohol, and rooms fill fastest around Navratri, Uttarayan and the November to February Rann season.
- Budget
- INR 1,500-3,500/night (~$16-36) for simple air-conditioned rooms in Bhuj, Palitana and Sasan Gir
- Mid-range
- INR 3,500-8,000/night (~$36-83) for 3-4 star hotels and forest lodges
- Luxury
- INR 9,000-22,000+/night (~$94-229) for Ahmedabad five-star hotels, palace stays and Rann Utsav tents
- Where to stay
- Ahmedabad (Lal Darwaja or Ashram Road) for the city; Sasan Gir for lions; Bhuj for Kutch
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Hotel Prince
A long-running budget hotel on Station Road in Bhuj, a short ride from Aina Mahal and Prag Mahal and used as a base for Kutch day trips.
Check rates on Booking.comIlark Hotel
A budget-to-mid hotel in central Bhuj with straightforward rooms, popular with independent travellers arranging Rann and craft-village trips.
Check rates on Booking.comSinh Sadan (Gujarat Tourism)
A government-run guesthouse in the Sasan Gir forest complex, the cheapest option near the safari gate. Book in advance via Gujarat Tourism.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Sumeru
A budget hotel at Palitana, the closest comfortable option to the base of the Shatrunjaya temple climb.
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Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad
A modern business hotel on the SG Highway with a pool and gym, convenient for the western Ahmedabad malls, restaurants and Science City.
Check rates on Booking.comFortune Landmark
A mid-range city hotel close to Ashram Road and the riverfront, a practical base for Gandhi Ashram and the Sabarmati Riverfront.
Check rates on Booking.comCambay Grand
A mid-range hotel on the SG Highway corridor, popular with Gujarati families and business guests, with easy road access to the city and Gandhinagar.
Check rates on Booking.comWelcomHotel Vadodara
A full-service ITC hotel in Alkapuri, well placed for Laxmi Vilas Palace, Sayaji Baug and day trips to Champaner-Pavagadh.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Gateway Hotel Athwalines, Surat
A Taj-run hotel in central Athwalines, close to the Tapi riverfront and the city's textile and diamond business districts.
Check rates on Booking.comLords Plaza Surat
A mid-range business hotel on Surat's Ring Road, close to the textile markets and Surat railway station.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Imperial Palace
A long-established mid-range hotel on Dr. Yagnik Road in central Rajkot, close to the Watson Museum and Rajkot's main shopping streets.
Check rates on Booking.comSayaji Hotel Rajkot
A full-service hotel on Kalawad Road serving Rajkot's business traffic, and a comfortable stop before Junagadh, Gir or Dwarka.
Check rates on Booking.comRegenta Resort Bhuj by Royal Orchid
A comfortable mid-range resort base for the Kutch craft villages, Dholavira and the White Rann, with a pool and a multi-cuisine restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Fern Residency, Bhuj
A business-standard hotel in Bhuj, an easy stop between the Rann and the Mandvi coast.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Fern Gir Forest Resort
An eco-certified resort a few minutes from the Sasan Gir safari gate, with a pool and early-morning safari departures.
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A cottage-style forest lodge near Sasan Gir that arranges safari permits and naturalist-led drives.
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A forest lodge near Sasan Gir with cottage rooms and organised safari bookings.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Fern Sattva Resort, Dwarka
A modern resort near the Dwarkadhish Temple and Shivrajpur beach, with a pool and vegetarian restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comLords Eco Inn Dwarka
A mid-range hotel in Dwarka aimed at pilgrim groups, with reasonably priced rooms and a vegetarian restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comLords Inn Somnath
A mid-range hotel a short distance from Somnath Temple and the beach, handy for the evening light-and-sound show.
Check rates on Booking.comTent City Narmada, Ekta Nagar
A government-run seasonal tent city near the Statue of Unity, open roughly October to March, on the Narmada bank.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Shrestha Bharat
A hotel in the Ekta Nagar township, the year-round option for visiting the Statue of Unity.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury
The House of MG
A restored 1924 mansion of the Mangaldas family in the walled city, beside Sidi Saiyad Mosque. Home to the Agashiye rooftop restaurant and a short walk from the Old City heritage walk.
Check rates on Booking.comITC Narmada, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Ahmedabad's flagship luxury hotel, styled on Gujarat's step-wells and palaces. It has a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, and well-regarded North Indian dining.
Check rates on Booking.comTaj Skyline Ahmedabad
A high-rise Taj hotel on the western side of the city with skyline views, an indoor pool and a spa. It suits business travellers and visitors staying near the SG Highway dining strip.
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A five-star hotel on the Sabarmati riverfront side of Ashram Road, a short drive from Gandhi Ashram, with a pool and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Leela Gandhinagar
A five-star hotel beside the Mahatma Mandir convention centre, favoured by conference visitors and useful for Akshardham and Adalaj Stepwell.
Check rates on Booking.comGrand Mercure Vadodara Surya Palace
A five-star hotel in central Sayajigunj near the railway station, with a pool and spa and quick access to the old city.
Check rates on Booking.comVivanta Vadodara
A Taj-operated hotel in the leafy Akota area west of the river, with a pool and spa, calmer than the central districts.
Check rates on Booking.comRann Utsav - The Tent City, Dhordo
A seasonal tent city on the edge of the White Rann salt flats, open roughly November to February. Cultural evenings and salt-desert access are part of the stay.
Check rates on Booking.comNilambag Palace Hotel
A former Maharaja's palace turned heritage hotel in Bhavnagar, useful before or after climbing Shatrunjaya at Palitana.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
Lal Darwaja and the Old City, Ahmedabad
Walled-city area with Sidi Saiyad Mosque, Teen Darwaza and the heritage walk. Heritage hotels are few; rooms suit those who accept noise and crowded lanes.
Best for: Culture, heritage stays, walking
Ashram Road and Usmanpura, Ahmedabad
Wide commercial road along the Sabarmati with many mid- and upper-range hotels and quick access to Gandhi Ashram.
Best for: Riverfront, Gandhi Ashram, mid-range and business hotels
SG Highway and Vastrapur, Ahmedabad
Western Ahmedabad hosts the newest hotels, restaurants and Science City, about 30-40 minutes from the Old City.
Best for: Modern hotels, dining, malls
Sasan Gir
Forest village at the edge of Gir National Park; nearly all lodges sit within a few minutes of the safari gate.
Best for: Lion safaris
Bhuj and Dhordo, Kutch
Bhuj is the year-round base; Dhordo is the seasonal Tent City area about 80 km north beside the White Rann.
Best for: Rann of Kutch, crafts
Ekta Nagar
Purpose-built township beside the Statue of Unity with a seasonal tent city and a few hotels.
Best for: Statue of Unity
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
The House of MG
A restored 1924 mansion of the Mangaldas family in the walled city, beside Sidi Saiyad Mosque. Home to the Agashiye rooftop restaurant and a short walk from the Old City heritage walk.
Check rates on Booking.comITC Narmada, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Ahmedabad's flagship luxury hotel, styled on Gujarat's step-wells and palaces. It has a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, and well-regarded North Indian dining.
Check rates on Booking.comTaj Skyline Ahmedabad
A high-rise Taj hotel on the western side of the city with skyline views, an indoor pool and a spa. It suits business travellers and visitors staying near the SG Highway dining strip.
Check rates on Booking.comHyatt Regency Ahmedabad
A five-star hotel on the Sabarmati riverfront side of Ashram Road, a short drive from Gandhi Ashram, with a pool and spa.
Check rates on Booking.comCourtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad
A modern business hotel on the SG Highway with a pool and gym, convenient for the western Ahmedabad malls, restaurants and Science City.
Check rates on Booking.comFortune Landmark
A mid-range city hotel close to Ashram Road and the riverfront, a practical base for Gandhi Ashram and the Sabarmati Riverfront.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book the Rann Utsav Tent City at Dhordo 2-3 months ahead for November to February through the official website rannutsav.com; December and full-moon weekends sell out first
Book Sasan Gir lodges and the safari permit together; permits are issued through the Gujarat forest department website girlion.gujarat.gov.in and fill up weeks ahead in season
Stay near the Old City (Lal Darwaja) to reach the Ahmedabad heritage walk and Manek Chowk night market on foot, or near Ashram Road for the riverfront
Ahmedabad rates rise around Navratri (late September to October) and the Uttarayan kite festival on 14 January; book early for those dates
Gujarat is a dry state: hotels generally do not serve alcohol, and visitors may need a liquor permit; check with the hotel before booking
Government properties (Gujarat Tourism guesthouses such as Sinh Sadan) are booked through tourism.gujarat.gov.in and are cheap but limited
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.