The city of Vadodara, the cultured city, with rich regal heritage is quite appropriately located in the state of Gujarat. You can virtually plan visiting all the exotic locations in the state of Gujarat and then come back to relax in the Vadodara hotels. The tag of being a mid-sized city offers cheaper accommodations than the capital of the State Ahmadabad. You can land into five star luxuries at around $100 if you hunt for the right bargains. The city offers a range of options from the Five Star to the almost free guest houses. You can also be the guest of the family of Maharajas if you know how to pull the right strings or willing to stay outskirts of the city limits.

Welcome Hotel. The city has one five star hotel, the Welcome Hotel. Welcome Hotel is the only choice in the Five Star category. Just five miles from the airport it is the most convenient for a business traveler. The spacious luxury offers more than 130 well furnished rooms and suites. It has two 24 hour open restaurants serving light snacks and coffee, just the precise pick for a weary traveler. Both the hotels have online booking facilities and through a simple phone call too.

The Express Hotel, located near the Race Course road, with 65 rooms and suites is a Four Star category hotel. The hotel build about three decades back, has a restaurant with all the traditional trappings of the Gujarati ethnic style and authentic cuisine.

Akota, Lap of Nature. The Taj Residency with 84 exquisite accommodations belongs to the Taj chain of hotels. A fifteen minutes drive from the airport brings you to the lush green environs of the Taj in the beautifully landscaped Akota gardens on the bank of river Vishwamitri. The hotel falls in the Three Star category but recommended to be the first choice for the tourists. Few suites provide a breathtaking view of the Palace Gardens, though a little expensive but worth every extra penny that you spend.

A few other hotels with Three Star comfort are Surya Palace Hotel, Hotel Yuvraj and Revival Hotel. Many inexpensive un-starred hotels and lodges are also available but not recommended for a western tourist. The Gujarati culture of cutting corners to make things cheaper can turn out to be a harrowing experience especially the food and hygiene apects.

The Heritage Calm. There are a number of heritage hotels, promoted by the Gujarat Tourism, near Vadodara. Kusum Vilas Palace built in 1930 for Maharaja Natwar Singh is located at Chota Udaipur about 60 miles from Vadodara. The palace with authentic French furniture, marble statues and Belgian statues has now been converted into a heritage hotel.