Bengaluru’s development as an IT hub has made it a commercial centre where frequent travellers come on work. Choosing comfortable accommodation is of paramount importance. There are a number of bed and breakfast (BnB) facilities that have come up over the last few years, from OYO and ZO rooms to a variety of Treebo homes and other smaller home stays. These options beside being pocket friendly offer basic amenities including room service, complimentary breakfast and sometimes, pick and drop.
Shikha, from Kolkata, travels every other month to the city. She agrees that BnBs are cost effective, but when one is travelling on work, hotels are a better option. “Compared to Mumbai and Delhi, hotels in Bengaluru aren’t as expensive. So if I want a comfortable place, then I always opt for hotels. Over the last three years, ever since I have travelled to Bengaluru, I have a particular hotel that works well for me. BnBs have been enhancing their facilities, and some of them are conveniently located, but I still think in Bengaluru, they are slowly picking up."
Chetna Mehra from Mumbai says BnBs work well for budget travellers and backpackers, but not for those travelling on work. “Hotels have facilities that BnBs don’t. For example, if my laptop stops working, I can get a backup. If I need medical attention then it is better to stay in a hotel to make things easier. I could also avail pick and drop easily.”
Safety is an important factor as well. Says Shikha, “I think an established hotel is a safer option compared to BnB.” Chetna agrees, “Women travellers need to ensure they stay in a safe place.”
She adds that BnBs are gaining ground in India because upper middle class Indians are travelling a lot more. “They travel abroad too, where they have seen airBnBs are sought after. So BnBs have been started on an experimental basis.”
Aparna Nori presents a contrarian view. An avid traveller, she doesn’t mind roughing it out. “I prefer BnBs because then I can explore a place better.”
