A Traveller's Rest: Finding Cheap Hotels in the Andaman Islands

For those who have traversed seas and flown over boundless oceans to arrive at the far-flung pearls of the Andaman archipelago, there tends to be the question of where to lay one's head at the close of days awash with salt, sun, and sand. The islands, a puzzle in their dense greens and secluded beaches, are not only the domain of the luxury hunter who arrives in search of turquoise infinity pools and secluded bays; they also welcome to their threshold the humble vagabond, the backpacker, the couple looking for comfort without excess, and the family who wants to remain close to the land's rhythm. It is here, nestled between Port Blair's palm groves, Neil's sandy lanes, and the gentle hum of Havelock, that one finds the soft charm of a budget hotel in Andaman.

To visualize one such place, one has to rid oneself of the antiseptic picture of concrete boxes and neon lighting that the term "budget hotel" may evoke in less prosperous parts of the globe. Rather, in Andaman, simplicity is brushed in gentler hues. The rooms are spacious, cooled not just by the whir of ceiling fans but also by the warm trade winds that blow across the Bay of Bengal. It is a hospitality less concerned with gilded trimmings and more concerned with honesty, the unobtrusive confidence that your food will be healthy, your bedroom will be clean, and your mornings will start to the song of mynah birds instead of the cacophony of cars.

At Neil Island, a destination that remains familiar to locals by its older name, Shaheed Dweep, the concept of a budget hotel in Neil Island achieves a touch of poetic cadence. Here, life moves at a different pace, marked not by clock but by tide. The accommodations one encounters are modest but infused with the character of the location, usually operated by island households who understand each ripple of the ocean and every hue of the sunset. The rooms here are attired unpretentiously, sometimes with no more than a wooden bed, whitewashed walls, and windows opening onto gardens where butterflies idle languidly through shafts of light. It's not the luxury that makes them great, but where they are—the proximity of Bharatpur Beach with its clear shallows, or the brief cycle ride to Laxmanpur where the sun sets orange in the horizon.

In Port Blair, the entry point of most visitors, budget hotels play a different role. They are not havens but crossroads where one stops before proceeding to further-out islands. But even here, there is charm to be discovered in ancient colonial buildings made into guesthouses, their walls speaking of other eras, or humble roadside hotels where travelers from every part of India gather, their discussion filling the night air.

And maybe this is the largest benefit of such visits—that one comes to appreciate the unvarnished beauty of the Andaman Islands. Whether in a cheap hotel on Neil Island where nights are spent hearing the whisper of the sea, or in a simple guesthouse at Port Blair where morning brings the commotion of ferries about to set sail, the experience comes to focus less on possession and more on presence. These hotels, unassuming and hospitable, are not destinations per se but travelling companions, reminding all visitors that the essence of Andaman is not extravagance but in the quiet, long-lasting elegance of island existence.

Scuba Diving in Andaman is like stepping into another world. The clear waters, colorful corals, and tropical fish make it an unforgettable adventure. Whether you're a first-time diver or a pro, Andaman offers amazing dive spots like Havelock Island,