There are some places that are visited for their natural beauty, some for the opportunities they offer while others have religious significance. Katra owes its popularity to the religious significance of the Vaishno Devi shrine nearby. The Vaishno Devi temple is situated in a cave high up on a mountainside. Thus, when it comes to hotels in Vaishno Devi, Katra is where you need to be looking. Since all types of people visit Vaishno Devi each year, Katra has many different types of hotels.
Free Accomodation
If you’re travelling on a very tight budget and are not too concerned about luxury facilities, you may want to consider staying in the free accommodation provided by the Shri Mata Vaishno devi Shrine Board. This accommodation takes the form of halls and sheds where simple bedding is provided to pilgrims. A shared toilet facility is also available. If you are travelling alone, this may be a good idea but if you are travelling with small children or elderly parents, you may want to consider a homestay or budget hotel.
Homestays
There are a number of conveniently located homestays in Katra. This type of accommodation is ideal for families as well as solo travelers. Homestays give travelers the opportunity to experience the daily life in Katra but staying here does mean that you will have to forego certain luxuries that hotels can provide. For example, homestays do not typically offer room service. However, if you are travelling with infants, you can easily ask to use the kitchen to prepare food for your baby.
Budget Hotels
These are the most popular type of hotels in Vaishno Devi. Katra has a number of budget hotels in the center of the town. These hotels offer simple, clean rooms with attached bathrooms. While some hotels have in-house restaurants, guests in many budget hotels may have to depend on cafes and restaurants nearby for their food. Thankfully, given the number of restaurants in Katra, there is plenty of choice. Budget hotels do not usually offer services such as a pick and drop from Jammu, room service, etc. Other facilities such as complimentary WiFi, laundry and dry cleaning and air conditioning vary from hotel to hotel.
Luxury Hotels
If you want to stay in comfort and a certain degree of luxury, the luxury hotels in Katra should be ideal place to stay. These hotels offer high quality service from attendants who are always available to you and yet not in your face. Apart from air-conditioned rooms that are tastefully decorated, these hotels also usually have cafes and restaurants on the premises and offer room service. They may also help you make travel arrangements between Katra and Jammu and hire porters or palanquins for the trek up to the Vaishno Devi shrine.
Thus, no matter what your budget and lifestyle needs may be, you will be sure to find hotels in Vaishno Devi. Katra sees plenty of tourists though so do not leave confirming your reservation till the last minute.
