India's Hotel CJ International

We stayed in Amritsar, INDIA, at Hotel CJ International (Opp. Langar Hall Building, Inside Golden Temple Car Parking, Amritsar-143001, India; phone 0091 183-2543478, 2535677 or 2535678, fax 2535677 or visit www.cjhotel.net), directly across from the glorious Golden Temple, Feb. 26-28, 2007.

We upgraded to a top-story suite, one of three on the top floor. We worked with Sumeet Singh (Sammy), the manager, to get the suite with one king-sized bed. It was well worth the cost of RS2,250 ($56). (Prices for other rooms were RS1,350 [$34] for a double and RS1,450 [$36] for an executive.)

We had balcony views directly into the temple — perfect for photography with a long lens though partly obstructed by other buildings in the temple complex. Do not settle for less than a top-floor suite.

It’s a very easy walk to the entrance to the temple; it’s so close, you can walk across the little dirt road barefoot to the pavement surrounding the temple, thence into the temple without having to deposit shoes at the shoe-minding station. It’s also a short walk to Jallianwala Bagh.

Jane B. Holt

Hinesburg VT