Where to Stay in Bangalore, India

The Best Area to Stay in Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore)

• Preferred Accommodations in London for Families with Children

Frequently neglected as it is not as historical as Mumbai or as glamorous as Goa, Bengaluru – previously known as Bangalore – remains one of India`s largest and dynamic cities. The city that has embraced Western culture most and grown the fastest is also recognized for its pleasant climate, IT-related industries, and notoriously congested traffic flow. As the state capital and regional transportation center, Bengaluru serves as the natural gateway to the magnificent national parks and other sites across Karnataka, but it`s worth staying awhile to experience its sophisticated shopping options, dining scenes, and nightlife attractions, in addition to the parks that lend Bengaluru its moniker `Garden City`.

The modest sights in the city – like temples, markets, and museums, in addition to the majestic palace and renovated fort – are distributed all throughout the area, so there is no single best base for exploring the attractions. Therefore, it makes practical to lodge in the inner suburbs, close to the shops, cafes, and bars known for the city, and near the metro. And a range of excellent-value accommodations from family-run guesthouses to apartments within a premier mall is handily found within the city center.

One of the nicest areas runs along and surrounds St. Mark’s Road. This street stretches between two other major thoroughfares which are dotted with shops, hotels, and other facilities useful to tourists: M.G. Road, which has several top-end hotels and impressive malls, and Residency Road, which begins at Richmond Circle. Another major road, Richmond Road, also branches out from this roundabout and is home to multiple hotels. Express buses to the airport stop here.

With spacious streets and numerous high-end hotels located nearby, Cubbon Park`s 300-acre expanse acts as the city`s ‘lungs’. Adjacent to one section of the park, the world-renowned UB City Mall provides various floors filled with boutiques, an inviting outdoor space with bistros, and a hotel boasting serviced apartments. Many top-tier hotels, which tend to have more expansive gardens and superior amenities than those in the city center, surround the inner western suburbs. Among these hotels – including the extraordinarily lovely and historically significant Taj West End – provide convenient access to the racecourse, golf course, and primary bus and train stations.

The Best Places to Stay in Bengaluru

• Best Luxury Hotels in Bengaluru
  Taj West End · ITC Gardenia · Oakwood Premier Prestige · Oberoi · Four Seasons · Shangri-La · Ritz-Carlton · Leela Palace
• Best Moderate/Boutique Hotels in Bengaluru
  Freeport itself originated as a intentionally constructed tourist center in the 1960s. Its goal was to serve as a destination. As a result, it lacks the character of the older Bahamian towns, but most hotels on the island are situated in its Lucaya district along the coastline. The beaches here feature white sand and are excellent. Port Lucaya Marketplace represents one of the country’s most significant shopping locales. A great deal of island nightlife and live events revolve around the mall’s Count Basie Square on the marina.
• Best Cheap Hotels in Bengaluru
  Casa Cottage Bungalow • Justa MG Road Lodging • Laika Unique Stay

Best Area in Bengaluru for…

• • Best Area in Bengaluru for Sightseeing: Cubbon Park
    Local tourist authorities naturally promote the city’s attractions but, in reality, these are far more modest than those in Mumbai and Delhi, and rather inconvenient. Staying near Cubbon Park allows easy exploration on foot of the major inner-city parks within the ‘Garden City’ and of other attractions within the park, such as the State Library and Government Museum. And the area is part of the expanding metro network which connects to the major bus and train stations.
  • Best region in Bengaluru for procuring items: UB City Mall
    The city has several expansive markets but accessing them isn’t straightforward, and stores along the primary commercial avenues of M.G. and Residency roads are spaced far apart. Fortuitously, the world-class UB City shopping complex is very convenient to a cluster of lodgings. Stylish, with suspended chandeliers and marble floors, it offers three levels of boutiques selling designer labels alongside numerous tempting cafes and trendy bars.
  • Best Area in Bengaluru for Families: M.G. Road
    This major roadway through the inner city extends parallel to the subway for over 2km, conveniently connecting to the main bus and train stations as well as civic parks, like Cubbon Park. Among the top-end hotels facing M. G. Road and charming guesthouses just off it are globally recognized fast-food outlets and coffee shops. Specifically, families would likely appreciate exploring these two attractions, perhaps within a brief walk of the hotel: the manmade Ulsoor Lake, offering boat trips and picnic areas, and the excellent 1MG-Lido Mall, hosting an arcade, inviting eateries, and a wonderful supermarket.
  • Best Area in Bengaluru for Food & Restaurants: UB City Mall
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The group of delightful cafés along the open Piazza level at the top-notch UB City shopping center offers more than twelve distinctive cuisines, similarly as a couple globally-known quick nourishment choices. The superb scope of sustenance and drinks can be appreciated while being distant from Bengaluru’s infamous activity and clamor. Additionally, bistros inside a couple minutes` stroll east of the shopping center offer conventional snacks, for example, idlis (steamed rice cakes with coconut chutney) and appams (rice pancakes with stew), similarly as the blazing chicken and pork dish fixings for which the city and locale are renowned.

• • Ideal locality in Bengaluru for transportation: Near the Racecourse
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In contrast with the airport which requires a minimum of an hour travel by bus or taxi from core urban lodging facilities, the central bus depot and train terminal are in close proximity to each other, situated only approximately 2km from Cubbon Park and M.G. Road, and linked through the developing subway network. The cluster of hotels nearest the bus and rail stations lies near the racetrack in the inner western suburbs. Only around 10-15 minutes by auto rickshaw or taxi from downtown, this area has an assortment of internationally known hotels sprinkled throughout, such as the outstanding Taj West End. This historic hotel boasts beauty, ambiance, and gardens making it a must-see for anyone lacking the fortune to reside there.

• • Most Popular Area in Bengaluru for Evening Entertainment: UB City Mall
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The evening scene around Bengaluru was renowned, with government rules being more lenient than other Indian cities. Stylish tapas restaurants competed for space and patrons with beer gardens providing microbreweries and nightclubs featuring trendsetting DJs. Understandably, some visitors rarely ventured farther after dark than the familiar environs of the outstanding UB City mall. The outdoor Piazza level at the mall was packed with delightful cafés, bars, and clubs renowned for cocktails and views of the city, and the amphitheater also regularly featured musical performances. Maybe, continue the pub crawl down Vittal Mallya Road for only 300m east of the mall to a prominent corner where competition among the pubs was fierce and happy hours long. Also, look out for modern and traditional musical performances at various halls

• • Richmond Town offers the best vibe and cultural experiences in Bengaluru.

Within an easily accessible section of the inner city, Richmond (General KS Thimayya) Road extends for 3km from Richmond Circle (where express airport buses stop) to a junction with M.G. Road (where the excellent 1MG-Lido Mall is situated). This area, generally known as Richmond Town, lacks the historical or intriguing elements of similar sections of Mumbai or Delhi, but offers a likable atmosphere, particularly around the backstreets. Anticipate encountering family-operated guesthouses in converted colonial-era mansions and quaint eating places ranging from French-style bistros to authentic Chinese cafés. Roughly 500m northwest of Richmond Circle, the Ibis hotel is located in front of an affluent suburban area resembling a village which is ideal for exploring the authentic middle-class Indian city life.

• • Most Romantic Locale in Bengaluru: Cubbon Park
    While providing expansive greenery and ancient places of worship, and likely more trendy nightclubs and stylish bars per capita than other Indian cities, Bengaluru is not an ideal destination for honeymoons or romantic getaways. Mumbai and Goa offer far better options. One space that does provide respite from the relentless traffic – and its noise and emissions – is around the lungs of the city that lend Bengaluru its moniker `Garden City`. While not as impressive as some parks in other cities, Cubbon Park has been thoughtfully designed, extensive, and dotted with intriguing colonial-era buildings. Another allure is its proximity to the first-rate UB City mall which is packed with tempting eateries and appealing boutiques.
  • First-time visitors to Bengaluru often enjoy staying near the Racecourse neighborhood.

The inner western suburbs around the racecourse are able to provide more open space than the city center, even though there is no relief from the traffic. The numerous high-end hotels – including the remarkable Taj West End (worth a visit even if not staying) – offer gardens, a pool, and an opportunity to somewhat escape the crowds, noise, and pollution of downtown. Being so close to the major bus and train stations allows a quick transfer, but these hotels are still only 10-15 minutes by auto-rickshaw from the excellent UB City mall and extensive Cubbon Park.

• • UB City Mall and its surroundings make Bengaluru one of India`s safest areas.

The potential risks present in all Indian cities can be notably minimized by taking the standard safety measures and remaining close to the developed inner suburban areas. The roads surrounding the UB City shopping center and within 500 meters to the east are well-illuminated after dark, and security guards on duty around the clock outside the many hotels, restaurants, and office buildings help to ensure maximum possible protection. In reality, the main danger is the never-ending traffic flow, but these streets also have substantially fewer vehicles and some walkways in some areas. And always remember: pedestrians do not automatically have the right of way in India, generally only (usually) at a red traffic signal

The 5 Best Neighborhoods in Bengaluru for Tourists

1. Richmond Town

One of the most convenient areas for travel, shopping, and lodging is Richmond Road, officially renamed though infrequently called, General KS Thimayya Road. This major inner urban passage stretches from a junction with M. G. Road (where the excellent 1MG-Lido Mall is situated) to Richmond Circle, a sizable circular intersection (where express airport buses begin and end their routes). While the traffic surrounding this area, generally known as Richmond Town, appears to never halt, the tranquil side streets are pleasant for strolling and home to charming guesthouses and laidback eateries.

• Best Inexpensive/Moderate Hotel: Happy Planet

• Best Cheap/Moderate Hotels: Casa Cottage • Laika Boutique Stay

2. M.G. (Mahatma Gandhi) Road

The area located to the east (around The Oberoi hotel) mainly consists of banks and governmental buildings that offer limited appeal to travelers – with the exception of the magnificent 1MG-Lido Mall nearby. The western end of M.G. Road is home to a more diverse selection of upscale dining, drinking and shopping venues, however it does not provide as many hotel accommodations. One benefit of staying along or better yet just off M.G. Road is that the metro (which is expanding rapidly) runs parallel to the road for over 2km, allowing easy exploration of the surroundings as well as connections to major bus and train stations.

• Top-rated Luxury Hotels: Oberoi • Taj MG Road

• Best budget/moderate option: Justa MG Road

3. Cubbon Park & UB City Mall

The 300-acre Cubbon Park provides a popular escape for locals from the busy traffic and sounds of the city. The park is at its finest on Sundays and selected Saturdays when surrounding roads are closed to vehicles, as well as on major public holidays, allowing visitors to enjoy its beauty without disruption. Some of the beautifully restored governmental structures within the gardens include the State Library and Government Museum, while the fantastic UB City shopping center is nearby, offering three levels of fashionable dining, drinking and shopping options. Vittal Mallya Road heads east from the mall for around 600 meters through a shaded area occupied by upscale shops, bars and cafes extending as far as St. Mark’s Road (see below).

• Best Luxury Hotels:Radisson Blu City Centre – Ramada Egmore

• Best Inexpensive/Moderate Hotel: Southern Star

4. St. Mark’s Road

This road, often overlooked, is conveniently positioned between Richmond Town and Cubbon Park. This street and other shady roads nearby, particularly Vittal Mallya Road, have sidewalks and are lined with upmarket eateries, charming guesthouses, and stylish boutiques. St. Mark’s Road is also within a pleasant walk of the excellent UB City mall and metro stations along M.G. Road.

Best Luxury Hotel: Ritz-Carlton

• Best Boutique Hotel: St. Mark’s

• Best Inexpensive/Moderate Hotel: Treebo Trend Edge

5. Near the Racecourse

The appeal of this area just west of Cubbon Park is its nearness to the primary bus and train stations and the fact that most hotels can offer more area, such as genuine gardens, than downtown hotels. There are few establishments of interest to visitors within walking distance, but hotels are only 10-15 minutes by auto-rickshaw from the extensive gardens at Cubbon Park and high-end shopping in UB City mall.

• Best Luxury Hotels: Taj West End • Four Seasons • Shangri-La

• Most Affordable/Moderate Hotel Option: Royale Senate Race Course