Karnataka is a large state in southwest India, stretching from the Arabian Sea coast across the forested Western Ghats to the Deccan plateau. It combines the UNESCO-listed ruins of Hampi, the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebidu, the royal city of Mysuru, coffee-covered Coorg hills, and the beaches of Gokarna and Udupi, with Bengaluru as India's technology capital.
Accommodation overview
Karnataka offers a wide accommodation spread, from INR 800 hostel beds and homestay rooms to five-star palaces and wildlife resorts. Bengaluru concentrates the business hotels around MG Road, Residency Road and Indiranagar, all near the Purple Line metro. Mysuru has heritage stays and mid-range hotels within walking distance of the palace, while Hampi's Virupapur Gaddi and Kamalapura offer simple guesthouses beside the ruins. Coorg is known for estate homestays and coffee-plantation resorts, and Kabini, Bandipur and Nagarhole for Jungle Lodges cottages that bundle meals and safaris. Book Dasara (late September-October) and December-February wildlife-season stays months ahead.
- Budget
- INR 800-3,500/night (~$8-36) (hostels, homestay rooms, KSTDC Mayura hotels, beach huts)
- Mid-range
- INR 3,500-12,000/night (~$36-125) (business hotels, estate resorts, Jungle Lodges cottages)
- Luxury
- INR 15,000-70,000+/night (~$156-729) (Bengaluru five-star hotels, Coorg and Kabini wildlife resorts, Evolve Back, Taj)
- Where to stay
- Bengaluru: MG Road, Residency Road or Indiranagar for centrality and metro; Mysuru city centre near the palace; Hampi Kamalapura or Hosapete for the ruins; Madikeri for Coorg
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Hotel Mayura Hoysala (KSTDC), Mysuru
State tourism corporation hotel in central Mysuru, offering simple clean rooms at fixed rates and easy walking access to the city's main sights. Book through KSTDC.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Mayura Bhuvaneshwari (KSTDC), Kamalapura
Government-run tourist hotel at Kamalapura near the Archaeological Museum, about 4 km from the Virupaksha temple. Basic rooms at set prices with an on-site restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comNamaste Cafe and Guest Rooms, Kudle Beach
Long-established backpacker beach cafe with basic rooms on Kudle Beach, in the middle of the Gokarna coastal trail.
Check rates on Booking.comMid-range
Radisson Blu Atria Bengaluru
Upscale mid-priced business hotel on Palace Road close to Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha and Bengaluru Palace. Good transport links by cab and metro.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Chancery Pavilion
Central four-star hotel on Residency Road with a rooftop pool and walkable access to Brigade Road, Church Street and MG Road.
Check rates on Booking.comRoyal Orchid Metropole Mysuru
Colonial-era hotel built in 1920 as a guesthouse for the Maharaja's British visitors, in central Mysuru with a garden and pool. Convenient for the palace, markets and the bus stand.
Check rates on Booking.comHotel Malligi Tourist Home, Hosapete
Long-running Hosapete hotel with a pool and several restaurants, used as a comfortable base for Hampi day trips about 13 km away. The railway station and bus stand are a short auto ride.
Check rates on Booking.comCoorg International, Madikeri
Central hotel in Madikeri town that works well for exploring the fort, Omkareshwara temple and the market on foot.
Check rates on Booking.comJava Rain Resort, Chikmagalur
Cottage-style resort in the coffee-estate belt outside Chikmagalur with plantation walks and a spa.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Ocean Pearl, Mangaluru
Well-known Mangaluru business hotel with a pool and coastal-Karnataka seafood restaurant, walkable to Kodialbail and a short cab ride to Panambur beach.
Check rates on Booking.comWaterwoods Lodges and Resorts, Kabini
Kabini forest resort offering cottages and safaris, positioned on the edge of the Kabini reserve.
Check rates on Booking.comBandipur Safari Lodge (JLR)
Jungle Lodges hotel inside Bandipur National Park with cottages and morning and evening safaris. Meals and safaris are usually bundled.
Check rates on Booking.comBadami Court, Badami
One of the more comfortable hotels for the Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal circuit, with a pool and garden a short walk from the cave temples.
Check rates on Booking.comRNS Residency, Murudeshwar
Beachfront hotel at Murudeshwar with views of the giant Shiva statue and the Murudeshwar temple.
Check rates on Booking.comLuxury
The Oberoi, Bengaluru
Five-star garden hotel a few minutes from MG Road metro with a courtyard pool, spa and Oberoi service standards. Popular with business and leisure guests who want quiet close to the central business district.
Check rates on Booking.comTaj West End, Bengaluru
Heritage hotel dating to 1887 set in 20 acres of tropical gardens in the city centre, with colonial-style cottages, a pool and several restaurants. A classic Bengaluru stay for travellers who want greenery inside the city.
Check rates on Booking.comITC Gardenia, Bengaluru
Luxury hotel on Residency Road in the city centre, known for its Dum Pukht and Ottimo restaurants and a spa. Convenient for Cubbon Park, MG Road and the Vidhana Soudha area.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Leela Palace Bengaluru
Palace-style luxury hotel inspired by Mysore architecture, on Old Airport Road near Indiranagar. Large rooms, a garden pool and multiple restaurants make it a strong choice for upmarket stays in east Bengaluru.
Check rates on Booking.comTaj MG Road, Bengaluru
Five-star hotel directly on MG Road next to the metro, with a landscaped pool terrace and central shopping and dining on the doorstep.
Check rates on Booking.comLalitha Mahal Palace Hotel, Mysuru
A 1931 palace built for the Maharaja of Mysore's foreign guests, converted into a heritage hotel below Chamundi Hills. Domed ballroom, a grand staircase and formal gardens define the stay.
Check rates on Booking.comEvolve Back, Hampi
Resort styled after Vijayanagara architecture, with pool villas and courtyard rooms close to the Hampi ruins. Formerly Orange County Hampi; offers guided heritage programmes.
Check rates on Booking.comTaj Madikeri Resort and Spa, Coorg
Hillside resort in Madikeri's coffee country with valley views, an infinity pool and Ayurvedic spa. A short drive from Abbey Falls and Raja's Seat.
Check rates on Booking.comEvolve Back, Coorg
Luxury resort on a working coffee plantation near Siddapura, with private pool villas and Kodava-style architecture along the Cauvery river basin.
Check rates on Booking.comSwaSwara, CGH Earth, Gokarna
Wellness retreat above Om Beach offering Ayurveda and yoga programmes in individual villas among coconut groves. Stays are usually multi-night.
Check rates on Booking.comTrivik Hotels and Resorts, Chikmagalur
Resort-style hotel outside Chikmagalur town with hill views, spa and pool, popular as a base for Mullayanagiri and Baba Budangiri trips.
Check rates on Booking.comKabini River Lodge (JLR), Karapura
Government-run Jungle Lodges property, a former hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore, on the Kabini reservoir edge near Nagarhole. Rates are per person and include meals and safaris.
Check rates on Booking.comEvolve Back Kabini
Tribal-hut styled luxury resort on the Kabini backwaters with private pool options and elephant-crossing views. Formerly Orange County Kabini.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Serai Kabini
Intimate wildlife resort near the Kabini lake edge with private plunge pools and included safaris.
Check rates on Booking.comBest neighborhoods to stay
Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
MG Road and Residency Road, Bengaluru
Central Bengaluru with metro access, shopping, bars and many five-star hotels.
Best for: first-time visitors, business, nightlife
Indiranagar and Old Airport Road, Bengaluru
Trendy east Bengaluru with craft breweries, cafes and upscale hotels like The Leela Palace.
Best for: food, nightlife, couples
Mysuru city centre
Palace, markets, Devaraja Market and Chamundi Hill within a few kilometres.
Best for: culture, first-time visitors
Hampi and Kamalapura
Ruins-side stays with Vijayanagara monuments; Hosapete is the practical alternative.
Best for: history, photography
Madikeri and Coorg estates
Coffee-plantation stays in cool hills with waterfalls and viewpoints.
Best for: nature, couples, families
Kabini and Nagarhole
Forest lodges by the reservoir for tiger, elephant and leopard safaris.
Best for: wildlife, photography
Gokarna beaches
Kudle, Om and Half Moon beaches with huts, cafes and wellness retreats.
Best for: backpackers, yoga, beach
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
The Oberoi, Bengaluru
Five-star garden hotel a few minutes from MG Road metro with a courtyard pool, spa and Oberoi service standards. Popular with business and leisure guests who want quiet close to the central business district.
Check rates on Booking.comTaj West End, Bengaluru
Heritage hotel dating to 1887 set in 20 acres of tropical gardens in the city centre, with colonial-style cottages, a pool and several restaurants. A classic Bengaluru stay for travellers who want greenery inside the city.
Check rates on Booking.comITC Gardenia, Bengaluru
Luxury hotel on Residency Road in the city centre, known for its Dum Pukht and Ottimo restaurants and a spa. Convenient for Cubbon Park, MG Road and the Vidhana Soudha area.
Check rates on Booking.comThe Leela Palace Bengaluru
Palace-style luxury hotel inspired by Mysore architecture, on Old Airport Road near Indiranagar. Large rooms, a garden pool and multiple restaurants make it a strong choice for upmarket stays in east Bengaluru.
Check rates on Booking.comTaj MG Road, Bengaluru
Five-star hotel directly on MG Road next to the metro, with a landscaped pool terrace and central shopping and dining on the doorstep.
Check rates on Booking.comRadisson Blu Atria Bengaluru
Upscale mid-priced business hotel on Palace Road close to Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha and Bengaluru Palace. Good transport links by cab and metro.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book Kabini, Bandipur and Nagarhole lodges 2-3 months ahead for December-February; Jungle Lodges rates are per person and include meals and safaris.
Mysuru fills up during Dasara (late September-October); book 4-6 months ahead and expect rates 2-3x normal.
Hampi's Virupapur Gaddi guesthouses are cash-oriented; Hosapete hotels take cards and are 13 km from the ruins by auto or bus.
Coorg homestays and estate resorts cost less on weekdays and during the monsoon (June-September), though roads can be affected by landslides.
Book KSTDC Mayura hotels through kstdc.co; Jungle Lodges properties can be booked on junglelodges.com.
Bengaluru weekday rates near MG Road are often higher than weekends because of business travel; hotels along Old Airport Road or near Devanahalli save transfer time.
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.