Where to Stay
If you are trying to figure out where to stay in Pondicherry, you have a wide variety of choices. The options span from luxury heritage hotels to simple guest houses. Whether you are traveling to Pondicherry on a budget or trying to make it an all-out extravagance, there are accommodations to suit your needs.
For your stay you have two primary options, to stay in the city or in Auroville, which is a township about 15 kilometers from the city, set in the wilderness. Auroville is very peaceful and serene. On the downside, you might miss the basic amenities. The city is a bit populated, but staying there has the advantage or having just about everything you may need (groceries, chemists, restaurants...) available to you within a short distance.
On the luxury end of the spectrum are fine hotels such as The Promenade which, as the name suggests, is located by the sea-front, across the street from the beach sidewalk, known as the promenade. Another great option in this category is Le Dupleix which is a pretty fancy place and is located in the French quarters of the city. Rooms in these places would set you back by about Rs.4,000-6,000 a night.
If you are on the kind of holiday on which you want to spend time at the beach, Pondicherry has a few beach resorts. The Dune, Zest and Kailash Beach Resort are some of the better options. They are a little outside the city, so private transportation would be recommended. They all have a semi-private beach, a swimming pool, some great rooms, and restaurant. What better way to start your day than a walk on the beach or a dip in the sea?
Guest houses are probably the most popular option, and I would most certainly recommend you to evaluate this option. There are many choices here. Checking into the Afsanah guest house in Auroville is a great way to get away from the craziness that is city-life. No traffic, no pollution, just a lot of peace and quiet. Then there's Aurodhan and U-turn. Both of these guest houses are located in the city, and they both house an art gallery along with the guest house facilities.
One of the things to consider while deciding which place to stay in Pondicherry is if the place offers air-conditioning as it can get pretty warm in summer. If you are planning on staying outside the city and you don't have a vehicle of your own, you should consider renting a scooter, a car, or you are adventurous enough, a bicycle from the city. Public transport such as auto-rickshaws are not easily available outside the city limits.