Mahabaleshwar has over 100 hotels ranging from luxury to utilitarian—some are only open seasonally. The best hotel is probably the Valley View Resort (tel 445) with rooms from about Rs1200. Other major hotels are Hotel Anarkali (tel 336) with clean rooms and modern facilities, open throughout the year; Frederick’s (tel 240) with a splendid view of the Yenna lake; Dina’s Hotel (tel 246) also overlooking Yenna has an old-world charm about it; Shreyas (tel 365) is an Indian vegetarian hotel. Some of the other mid-range hotels are Paradise (tel 236), Dreamland (tel 228) and Race View (tel 238, 278). The MTDC has several cottages for hire at the site of the Old Government House. A word of caution here is appropriate. During peak season, most hotels operate strictly on bed-and-board basis, during the off-season rates are cut by as much as half.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Roman Catholic Holy Cross Church near the bus-stand holds regular services; the much more impressive Anglican Christ Church behind the Makharia Garden is now deserted. For Muslims, there are the Deccani and Jama masjids; and for Hindus, the Hanuman, Krishnabai, Ram and Maharani (also known as Nahar) temples.
The Tourist Information Bureau (tel 271) near the bus-stand and the Holiday Camp (tel 7318) usually have a stock of maps of Mahabaleshwar showing bridlepaths, walks and rides. Since there is partial prohibition in Maharashtra, an All India Liquor Permit should be obtained from Indian missions abroad or from Government of India Tourist offices in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Madras. Beer can be purchased without a permit.
