Deservedly popular hostel in a historic house that shows Indian and British architectural influences. It's very well set up, with spacious dorms and private rooms, cool communal areas, good bathrooms, a kitchen and speedy wi-fi. And it's a great place to meet other travellers and plan your next journey.

Backpackers hostel located about 3km from the centre in a tranquil, leafy suburb not far from many yoga schools. It's a well-designed space with comfy dorms, lockers, board games and books, a kitchen and a friendly vibe. There are regular events like movie nights and cooking classes.

Very centrally located, the Maurya is a good budget choice with a wide range of large, unremarkable but very cheap rooms. It offers more upmarket choices with TV and AC too. The manager and his staff are extremely helpful and welcoming.

Very popular with yoga students and young travellers, this homely French-run guesthouse offers neat, tidy rooms in a property which also boasts a lovely garden cafe.

The Parklane is very well located for the palace and city and represents fine value. Decor is over-the-top kitsch but it’s hard to dislike with its massive and immaculate rooms, ultracomfortable and thoughtfully outfitted with mobile-chargers and considerate toiletry kits. Its lively open-air restaurant is always buzzing, and there's a small rooftop pool too.

This yoga school offers squeaky-clean rooms with private bathrooms and studios with kitchenettes and balconies. There's a great cafe, Finnish sauna, plunge pool and rooftop chill-out zone.

More of a business hotel, but popular with yoga students for its clean, functional and modern rooms with cable TV. There are four price categories from compact single to spacious rooms with balconies and AC.

Near the train station, the potential of this beautiful historic building remains unrealised. Yes, this government-owned hotel is a timewarp, but is still worthy of consideration as rooms certainly have lashings of character, and rates are reasonable. The bar here is popular with Mysuru’s tipplers.

With its lovely rooftop swimming pool, gym and choice of restaurants the Mercure adds up to excellent choice. Staff are super attentive and rooms are sleek, well-equipped and have a wide selection of international TV channels. Located 4km north of the city centre.

Originally built by the Wodeyars to serve as the residence of the maharaja’s British guests, this is undoubtedly one of Mysuru’s leading heritage hotels. The charming colonial-era structure has 30 rooms oozing historical character, just with all mod cons. There's a fitness centre and lovely outdoor pool area.

The historic Green Hotel was originally built as a palace in the 1920s by the maharajah for his daughters. Today it's a heritage hotel set among charming gardens. Commendably, all 31 rooms run on solar power and have plenty of character, though maintenance could be a little better and some fixtures are looking a tad tired. There's a good cafe ( GOOGLE MAP ; Green Hotel; cakes from ₹40, snacks from ₹70; h10am-7pm; W), restaurant and travel agent here.

Profits are distributed to charity and environmental projects across India.

Its highway location is a drawback, but this basic hotel's rooms are affordable and adequate in an otherwise pricey destination. It’s nearby to Bandipur Safari Lodge, so convenient for safaris into the park, and has a decent restaurant.

Basic lodging at the park HQ is convenient for location and atmosphere, but the downside is foreigners have to pay an additional ₹1000 per night for park entry fees. Dorms are rented out in the entirety, so you won’t need to share with strangers. You can book online.

Offering a genuine wilderness experience, the very rustic Tiger Ranch has basic but attractive cottages, an atmospheric thatched-roof dining hall and fine home-cooked food. There's good walking in the surrounding forest, and a you're sure to encounter wildlife. Evenings can be enjoyed around a bonfire. It’s located 10km from the park; call ahead to arrange a pick-up (₹300).

Flawlessly presented, Dhole’s Den offers contemporary design in lovely pastoral surrounds. Stylish, modernist rooms and bungalows are decked out with art and colourful fabrics, plus couches and deckchairs. It’s environmentally conscious with solar power, tank water and organic vegies. Camping is available for those on a budget. It’s a 20-minute drive from the park headquarters; rates include a guided nature walk.

Set in a coffee plantation that backs onto the national park, this luxurious resort has gorgeous Mediterranean-inspired villas (some with private pool) that are in harmony with the natural surrounds. Thatched-roof rooms feature elegant touches such as copper bathroom fixtures, stone-wall showers and wildlife photography on the walls. Its glassed-in restaurant and infinity pool both maximise outlooks to Nilgiri Hills.

Decent resort-style place with spacious, well-equipped rooms, a large swimming pool, kids' pool, a multicuisine restaurant and a convenient location near the park. Rates are inclusive of meals.

The only budget option close to Kabini is this simple lodge with a few rooms above a shop in the township of Karapura, 3km from the park.

On a grassy embankment overlooking scenic Kabini Lake, Waterwoods is a stunning lodge. Most rooms have balconies with wonderful lake views, swing chairs, hardwood floors and designer flair. It’s kid-friendly with trampoline, infinity pool, free canoe hire and wood-fired pizzas. Pamper yourself in the spa which has massage rooms, Jacuzzi and a steam bath.

Perfectly set up for wildlife spotting, this luxury lodge has wonderful lake-facing bungalows, and organises tip-top jungle safaris, boat trips and nature walks. The restaurant is beautifully designed and the cuisine excellent. There's a beautiful spa too. Located on the north shore of Kabini Reservoir.

Inspired by luxury safari lodges in Africa, Bison succeeds in replicating the classic wilderness experience with a stunning waterfront location and choice between canvas-walled cottages, stilted bungalows or bush camping. They offer a wide selection of activities including treks to local tribal villages and sunset boat rides. Service standards are top-notch and there are expert naturalists at hand.

A kind of designer safari lodge, KAAV has open-plan rooms with polished concrete floors, hip bathrooms and spacious balconies that open directly to the national park. Yes, the attention to detail is superb. Head up to the viewing tower to lounge on plush day beds, or take a dip in the infinity pool. No children under 10.

Modern, centrally located hotel with a wide choice of rooms, all attractively styled with cream furnishings, cable TV and minibars. There's no restaurant, however.

A renovated state-run hotel located on the way to Channakeshava Temple with pretty comfortable, spacious rooms. Its restaurant-bar serves a variety of Indian dishes (from ₹80) to go with beer.

Set in a leafy garden right opposite the temple complex, Hotel Mayura Shanthala is the best sleeping option.

Very basic rooms that are something of a last resort should you be stranded in town. However, the vegetarian restaurant downstairs works up an awesome veg thali (₹90).