Lodging

The standard 3,4, and 5 star hotels are located in large cities. Youth hostels are not common, and, if they exist, they are in ill repair; there are no bed-and-breakfasts. An alternative is a guest house, which is inexpensive and comfortable; guest houses are run by the government, so in order to book a room, one needs to know someone in government service. They are not in the heart of the city but in the outskirts or suburbs. In Delhi, college-age students can take advantage of renting a "barsati," which is a room on the terrace-level of a family house.