Zostel in Agra

They’ve got plum angel funding and Zostels are popping up at iconic destinations across India—Agra, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Varanasi, Delhi and Goa (plus there’s one in Da Lat, Vietnam). Over to Zostel Agra. It’s at a walking distance from the Taj at Shilpgram on East Gate Road. It’s bright, funky, smart and clean. There are private rooms and dorms (four or six beds, female-only or mixed), and breakfast is included in the tariff. There’s free parking and wifi, a nice lawn, and a lounge. Zostel appears to have listed out exactly what we might want when we expect to be out exploring most of the time but need a tidy, safe and welcoming place to which we can return. Tariff: There’s a 2-night minimum stay rule. Private doubles without AC from Rs 1,600, with AC from Rs 3,200; dorms for Rs 700-800 per person. Contact: 9911256486, www.zostel.com