One of the biggest concerns for first-time travelers is where to stay. Relax. There are lots of options! If it’s your first time to Mysore and you don’t have any contacts there, then the best thing to do is stay in a hotel for the first few nights. Most hotels will likely have rooms available if you decide to just book a room upon arrival. If you want to stay at the Sudharma House or Green Hotel Mysore listed below, then it’s best to make a reservation.After your first day of yoga practice or at popular food hangouts such as Anu’s, Tina’s, Mysore Mandala or even the coconut stand in Gokulam, ask your fellow students about vacancies. People are constantly coming and going and you will most likely have a few options. There are facilitators who can assist you in finding a home as well (see below). Most students either rent a room in a private home or share a room or flat with roommates. Renting a room in a private home usually requires a month-long commitment, but it is possible to find rooms for rent by the day and most come furnished with at least a mattress. Daily room rentals are approximately Rs. 100 – 200 per day or Rs. 3,000 – 6,000 by the month.
Renting a flat is usually done by the month and you will often have to furnish it yourself with mattresses, sheets, cooking utensils, etc. but these items are easily purchased and relatively inexpensive. Flats can range from Rs. 4,000 to upwards of Rs. 13,000 per month depending on size, location and number of bedrooms. Western-style toilets are common. However a hot shower usually isn’t, unless you stay in a hotel. In most residential rentals, you will find a spigot and a bucket in the bathroom for bucket baths. If you will be renting a room or flat, bring a padlock or purchase one in Mysore to lock your room. Here are some places to stay listed from least expensive to most expensive.
Sudharma House
Lakshmipuram, Mysore 570 004
Price Range (Rs.): 80 – 100 per night
If you’re on an extremely tight budget, the spartan Sudharma house is an option located directly across the street from Mysore Mandala. Bathrooms are shared.
Room at Anu’s Bamboo Hut
367, 2nd Main, 3rd Stage
Gokulam, Mysore
Karnataka, India 570 002
Website: Anu’s Bamboo Hut
Email: anugan@gmail.com or ganeshmysore@gmail.com
Phone: 0821 4288120
Price Range (Rs): 6,500/month single; 7,000/month double
Ganesh and Anu offer a spacious room for rent on the second floor of their home with a large bed, desk, bathroom, and closet space. It includes washing machine, maid services, electricity and water and is within waking distance to AYRI. You can also access wireless internet from the room @ Rs.20/hour from your own laptop. You must email in advance to try and reserve the room.
Gokulam Woodlands
Gokulam, Mysore 570 002
Price Range (Rs.): 250 – 450 per night
The Woodlands is a low budget hotel near to AYRI and Yoga India shalas with the vegetarian restaurant, Gokul Chats right next door.
Kaveri Hotel
Agrahara, Mysore 570 024
Price Range (Rs.): 175 – 575 per night
Very basic rooms within walking distance of Mysore Mandala and Sthalam8 Ashtanga Yoga Shala. Hot water is limited to a few hours in the morning. The 3 Sisters are located on the same block and are a popular place for homemade food and massages with Harini. Aunty, who also serves food to yoga students, is located across the street.
Alia’s Guest House (formerly the Kev Inn)
408 Contour Road
Gokulam, 3rd Stage, Mysore 570 002
Tel: 0821-4288923
www.aliaom.com
email: aliaom@yahoo.com
Price Range (INR): 1,350-2,000
Alia’s Guest House & Om Café is run by a French family who can help you find the best places to see, study yoga and eat in Mysore. Alia’s Guest House offers accommodation for visiting yoga students and is a tranquil oasis for backpackers and travelers passing through Mysore. They are conveniently located within 5 minutes walk distance to AYRI and offer short or long-term accommodation in a safe, clean and comfortable setting. Kid friendly and babysitting services available while you practice yoga or eat in the Cafe.
Chez Mr Joseph B & B
Walking distance to AYRI
Gokulam, Mysore, India
Website: www.chezmrjoseph.blogspot.com
email: mrjoseph2b@yahoo.com
Price range: (INR) 1500/night single occupancy; 2,000/night double occupancy
5 night minimum including one meal/day
Chez Mr Joseph ( aka The Ritz/Gokulam) is an option for travelers wishing to be within walking distance of AYRI and some of the best restaurants. The house is fully screened for mosquitoes as well as netting on the four post beds, 100% cotton sheets, a bathrobe for each guest, fruit salad breakfast, WiFi and cable TV in the living room. The balcony is very popular for reading, socializing and dining.
Nalapad Residency
Mysore 570 015
Price Range (Rs.): 840 – 2,250 per night
A recently renovated hotel with clean western-style rooms. A bit of a walk to Gokulam but can be a good starting point if you’re looking for something a bit more comfortable than a bare bones room.
Green Hotel
Chittaranjan Palace
Jayalakshmipuram, Mysore 570 012
Website: www.greenhotelindia.com
Email: thegreenhotel@airtelbroadband.in
Price Range (Rs.): 2,250 -5,750 per night
The Green Hotel is a restored palace surrounded by gardens, offering nice clean rooms. The restaurant is a lovely place to eat outdoors and you’ll often find yoga students dining here or strolling the organic market on Sundays from 10 am – 1pm. It’s approximately a 20 – 30 minute walk to AYRI, Yoga India or Atma Vikasa. There is a rickshaw stand outside the main gate and costs roughly Rs. 20 – 30 to either shala.
The Regalis (Southern Star)
Mysore, India 570 005
Price Range (Rs.): 3,100 – 8,600 per night
The Southern Star is a very modern high-rise hotel located in the center of Mysore. The hotel allows non-resident guests to use the pool for Rs. 150 per day, so you may spot some yoga students lounging around or doing Vrchikasana II into the pool (yeah, you know who you are!) but rarely do they stay here due to the relatively high cost and distance from the yoga shalas.
Facilitators and/or Rooms for Rent:
Shiva: 9844226082
Murthy: 9880265622 or tskittymurthy@yahoo.co.in
Ganesh: 08214288120 ganeshmysore@gmail.com
Tina or Sanjiv: 9449818668 or 0821241666 – Possible room for rent
Sagar: 9448243902 or sagar_nikam@yahoo.com – Possible room for rent at 2nd Cross, Gokulam 3rd stage
