Budget Boutique: Anugama Resort
A 40-minute road trip from Port Blair to Wandoor brings up 14 cottages flanking a rain-fed lily pond. Rooms are sweetly simple—a platform bed, mosquito net, wardrobe and chair; water heaters in the bath but no AC. Guests are asked to use shikakai powder for shampoo, while the owners scrub utensils with rice powder and compost organic waste to reduce their ecological impact. Tariff Rs 2,000–3,000 (includes breakfast) contact 9775277233,anugamaresort.com
Conscious Comfort: Barefoot at Havelock
Though the prices are possibly among the highest, this resort insists it is not a ‘luxury’ property. It lays greater store by environmental sensitivity, providing ‘bare necessities’—though the cottages on stilts and skylit bathrooms look pretty posh. There’s no TV or room service; there is an Ayurvedic spa. No night-time illumination; use a torch. No loungers ranged on the beach; pick up a mat as you head out. Tariff Rs 6,300–22,050 contact 9840238042, barefoot-andaman.com
Old Chestnut: Fortune bay island
Yes, its shipshape cabins with ‘compact’ bathrooms and padauk decking designed by Charles Correa were the pride of Port Blair and, yes, they are overdue for an overhaul (it may even happen this year!). However, for facilities and service, this is still the best in the city—which is admittedly the worst place to stay on the archipelago, but as resort timings don’t dovetail with the ferry’s, most visitors must stop over. Tariff from Rs 6,500 contact 03192-234101,fortunehotels.in
Dive-friendly shacks: Emerald gecko
One of two properties on Havelock Island associated with Andaman Bubbles (for dives and PADI certification), this is the affordable option to ‘resort’ prices if you don’t want to stay in, well, a dive. Handmade pasta and amateur music nights don’t hurt. The most basic beach huts have showers, but toilets are communal; en-suite cottages and bungalows still require you to haul your own hot water. Tariff Rs 1,199–2,599 contact 033-22813537 (Kolkata), emerald-gecko.com
Outdoorsy outpost: Megapode
This modest government-run ‘camp’ overlooking Corbyn’s Cove, 5km from Port Blair, is a better bet than many city hotels. Four white domes sit in Megapode Camping Resort’s garden, like lost space pods, but they have toilets and TV. To eat, there’s basic Indian and Chinese, plus beer. The sea view is worth coming out for—just don’t try diving off the cliff! Note: check-in/check-out is at crack of dawn (7.30am). Tariff Rs 2,000–3,000 contact 03192-232380,aniidco.and.nic.in
Luxury values: Munjoh
When the lowest room category is a Luxury Villa with goose-down pillows and a Royal Chalet offers a butler, jacuzzi, fully-stocked kitchen and à la carte meals, you know there’s a ‘luxurious’ price tag, despite a limited supply of solar-heated water. But this Havelock resort offers good value in peace and privacy, atmosphere and activities. The restaurant (slippers off please!) claims to serve sushi as well as local produce. Tariff from Rs 7,500 contact 9474296200, munjoh.com