Aurangabad’s top hotels are reliable and close to each other in Chikalthana, halfway between the town and airport. They are the Welcomgroup Rama International (tel 83467/9, tlx 5745-212), the Ajanta Ambassador (tel 82211, tlx 5745-211). Both have swimming-pools, multi-cuisine restaurants, many facilities, and rooms around US$55 single, US$65 double. The Welcomgroup hotel has the slightly better reputation. More central are two mid-range hotels.Mid-range (US$10-3SIRs250-1000 per room night)
Also with a swimming-pool, there is the popular Aurangabad Ashok in Dr Rajendra Prasad Marg (tel 24525/9, tix 5745-229). This is one of the best mid-range options (very comfy, centrally air-conditioned, with good food) with well-priced rooms at Rs555 single, Rs755 double. Another central hotel is the Quality Inn Vedant (tel 26785, 25844, tlx 5745-354) in Station Road with rooms from Rs655.
Budget (under US$10/Rs250 per room night)
Cheaper hotels include Amarpreet, in Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (tel 23422, tix 5745-357, fax 52438-2792) and the Hotel Ravi Raj (tel 3939) between the Youth Hostel (tel 23851) and Indian Airlines, in Dr Rajendra Prasad Marg. Both have rooms from Rs175. Most budget hotels are near the railway station. The MTDC Holiday Resort, Station Rd (tel 24259) rooms from Rs150 are good value. Perhaps the best budget hostel is the superb Youth Hostel, 15 minutes’ walk right out of the bus-station, with an immaculate dormitory and useful meals service. The only drawback to this place is mosquitoes and the nets provided are useless. Either bring your own or, better, sleep up on the cool, breezy roof.
EATING OUT
The Aurangabad Ashok has a good restaurant with a mix of Indian and Continental cuisine with meals from Rs155. The Rama International offers a reasonable buffet, including live music. On Jaina Road, opposite Amarpreet Hotel, Mingling Restaurant dishes up some marvellous (mid-priced) Chinese food. There are several cheap eating places in Station Rd, including friendly Pinky’s. A lot of people eat at the Youth Hostel, well known for its good-value thali suppers. This is also a great place to pick up information, and to meet other travellers.
General Information
Government of India Tourist Office, Station Rd (tel 24817) is short on information, but helpful. Opening hours are 8.35 am-6 pm weekdays, 8.35 am-12.35 pm Saturdays. MTDC Holiday Resort (tel 24713) do the best tours to Ellora /Daulatabad/Aurangabad (9.35 am-6 pm daily, Rs85), and to Ajanta (8 am-6 pm daily, Rs150). The cheaper, but quite adequate, ITDC tours are sold by Ashok Travels & Tours, Hotel Aurangabad Ashok (tel 24143). This hotel also hires out taxis and private cars, should you wish to tour in style.
Indian Airlines (tel 24864, 24558, apt 82223) is at Amikar Building, Adalat Rd; State Bank of India is at Kranti Chowk (tel 5386); GPO is in Juna Bazaar Chowk, at the northern end of town.
