Run by a very hospitable family, this long-running place has been hosting happy travellers for years; the house dates back to 1875. Spacious rooms with high ceilings and arty touches are in two blocks at the rear of the leafy garden. Good breakfasts and drinks are available.

This deliciously preserved 150-year-old bungalow exudes undiluted nostalgia, with quaintly luxurious rooms. Reminisce about bygone times in the company of ornate candelabras, oriental rugs, antique teak furniture, Victorian canvases and grandfather clocks. The verandah has a lovely aspect over Matheran’s wooded hillsides.

The in-house restaurant offers a terrific four-course Continental dinner (₹700; guests only for dinner, lunch is open to the public).

Known locally as the ‘Byrianiwala’, this funky joint has a full North Indian menu, but it’s all about the spicy biryanis: spiced steamed rice with chicken, mutton and veg. To find it, take the footpath uphill beside the Jama Masjid on MG Rd and follow your nose.

It’s certainly not a resort, but it is something of a rarity in Lonavla: a well-priced, family-run place in a quiet residential location that’s close to the train station. Ten of the 15 clean but worn air-con rooms have a balcony and there’s a little garden as well as room service.

It seems everyone in town – along with passing motorcycle road warriors – gathers on this restaurant's pleasant terrace at breakfast, where great South Indian staples (generously portioned dosas etc) are the way to go. As the day wears on, diners pack in for spicy Punjabi dishes and there's plenty of cold beer to go around.

A bit of a dhaba Disneyland, but therein lies the fun. About 5km east of Lonavla nearer Karla and Bhaja Caves is this fun-for-all restaurant/entertainment venue. Dine under traditional shamiana huts amid obnoxious festival lighting, camel and donkey rides, jalebi (deep-fried batter dunked in sugar syrup) carts, fish pedicure pools and live ghazal (Urdu love songs) music nightly (7pm).

The Surya’s functional, tiled rooms are well-kept and generously proportioned and, though a little spartan, they do have bathrooms with hot water, wi-fi and cable TV. It enjoys a good location on a quiet street in Koregaon Park, close to popular cafes.

It’s not quite as grand as its fancy reception area would indicate, but with a central location just a few steps from the train station and spacious, well-maintained rooms, the 49-room Samrat represents good value. The staff is courteous and eager to please. Complimentary airport pick-up (not drop-off!) and breakfast.

Hotel Lotus is good value for the quiet, Koregaon Park location and though the rooms are not that spacious, they are light and airy, and all but four have balconies. There’s no restaurant, but they offer room service and there are plenty of good eating options close by.

Set around a manicured lawn right next to the Osho resort, this renovated art deco bungalow effortlessly combines colonial-era class with boutique appeal. Deluxe rooms in the main building sport antique furniture, while even the cheapest options are beautifully presented and spacious (though lack a private bathroom). The best-value rooms are the lawn-facing studios.

There is a yoga centre, spa and two restaurants on the premises, including highly regarded Dario’s.

This uberchic, 60-room place will only allow you in if you come to meditate at the Osho International Meditation Resort. The rooms and common spaces are an elegant exercise in modern minimalist aesthetics with several ultraluxe features – including Biotique amenities and purified fresh air supplied in all rooms!

With high service standards and 26 very inviting modish rooms, this newer hotel is fine value and wildy popular with Indians for its 15-item buffet breakfast. It's a toss up between the clandestine bathrooms in deluxe rooms or elevated Asian-style beds in executive rooms.

Located at the far end of a leafy park-cum-office-area, this hotel guarantees a peaceful stay, occasionally uninspired bathrooms aside. Its large, well-equipped rooms are perhaps a little dated, but many have windows that open out to delightful views of seasonal blossoms. Book room 101 to catch the lobby-only wi-fi signal in-room.

Near Mahalaxmi Temple, this hole-in-the-wall misal (spicy curry made from moth bean sprouts) joint has been at it since 1963 and is the spiciest of the city's classic joints. Rajesh is the third generation behind the recipe and acts as a one-man show. There's no English sign. It's directly to the right of the beautiful Jain temple with the Coca-Cola signage.

The city's Kolhapuri thali specialist. Meals come in a variety of mutton variations as well as chicken and veg. The vibrant curries, the spiced-up dhal, the rich aakkha masoor (Kolhapuri-style whole lentil curry), the intricate tambda rassa (spicy red mutton curry), the perfectly flaky chapatis – it's all delicious.

If you’ve been clocking up some hard yards on India’s roads, this authentic, professionally run restaurant is just the place to sustain you for the next trip. All the flavours are to savour, with a delicious, veg-only menu of antipasti, thin-crust pizzas (from a wood-fired oven), al dente pasta and a great Indian-heavy wine list (by the glass available).

Don’t pass on the desserts, particularly the panna cotta.