Meghalaya gives you plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation. You can spend ₹800 on a basic room, ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 on a comfortable hotel, or push past ₹10,000 for a stay where the room itself becomes part of the trip.
The trick is picking the right town for your itinerary. Staying in Shillong and driving everywhere sounds convenient until you spend half your holiday in a car.
Shillong: best for first-time visitors
Shillong works well if you’re visiting Meghalaya for the first time. You get plenty of restaurants, cafés, shops, taxis and hotels across different price ranges.
It’s also a good base for places such as Laitlum Canyon, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak and Mawlynnong.
Budget: ₹800–₹1,500 per night
Look around Police Bazar, Laitumkhrah and nearby areas.
You’ll find simple guesthouses, homestays and budget hotels. Rooms can be basic, so check recent reviews and confirm whether hot water and parking are available.
Mid-range: ₹2,000–₹5,000
This is the sweet spot for most travellers.
You can get a clean room, private bathroom, better service and usually a decent location without spending resort money.
Luxury: ₹7,000–₹15,000+
Shillong has several upscale hotels where you can slow down after a long day of driving around the hills.
For couples or families wanting a more comfortable trip, I’d spend a little extra here.
Cherrapunji: stay here for waterfalls and caves
Cherrapunji, or Sohra, is where I’d stay for the natural attractions around southern Meghalaya.
Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Seven Sisters Falls and the road towards Nongriat are all easier to reach from here.
And waking up around Sohra can be pretty special when the clouds roll through the hills.
Budget: ₹1,000–₹2,000
Guesthouses and local homestays are your best bet.
Don’t expect polished hotel rooms at this price. You’re paying for a bed, bathroom and location.
Mid-range: ₹2,500–₹5,500
This is where Sohra gets interesting.
You can find cottages, resorts and comfortable hotels with valley views. For a couple, I’d pick a property with a good view and spend the evening there rather than rushing back to Shillong.
Luxury: ₹6,000–₹12,000+
There are a few higher-end stays around Sohra with cottages, large rooms and mountain views.
Book these early during weekends and peak holiday periods.
Nongriat: stay overnight if you’re doing the living root bridges
If your Meghalaya trip includes the Double Decker Living Root Bridge, consider staying around Nongriat instead of treating it as a quick day trip.
The famous bridge is reached after a long staircase from Tyrna. Your legs will have opinions about this.
Budget: ₹500–₹1,500
Village homestays are the main option.
Facilities are basic, and that’s part of the experience. Carry the things you actually need because shopping options are limited.
Mid-range: limited
Nongriat isn’t the place to look for polished resorts. Accommodation is mostly simple homestays and guesthouses.
Stay here for the location and experience.
Dawki and Shnongpdeng: best for riverside stays
For clear water, kayaking, boating and riverside camping, base yourself around Shnongpdeng.
Dawki is nearby, but Shnongpdeng gives you more of that riverside-trip feeling.
Budget: ₹700–₹1,500
Basic homestays, camps and simple rooms are common.
Some camps are very basic, so check exactly what you’re getting before booking.
Mid-range: ₹2,000–₹4,500
You can find better cottages and riverside accommodation in this range.
I’d choose a place where you can sit outside and enjoy the river. There’s little point travelling this far to stare at a hotel wall.
Luxury: limited
This area isn’t known for big luxury hotels.
The appeal is the river, the village and the outdoor experience.
Mawlynnong: good for a quiet village stay
Mawlynnong is a good overnight stop if you want a quieter side of Meghalaya.
It’s also close to places such as the Living Root Bridge at Riwai and the viewpoint towards Bangladesh.
Budget: ₹800–₹1,500
Local homestays are the obvious choice.
Rooms tend to be simple, clean and practical.
Mid-range: ₹1,500–₹3,500
You can find nicer cottages and homestays with more space and better surroundings.
I’d stay overnight rather than visit only for a few hours. The village feels different once the day-trippers leave.
Jowai: a smart base for eastern Meghalaya
Jowai makes sense if you’re heading towards Krang Suri Falls, Nartiang and other parts of the Jaintia Hills.
It’s also useful for breaking up a longer Meghalaya road trip.
Budget: ₹800–₹1,500
You’ll find simple hotels and guesthouses around town.
Mid-range: ₹1,500–₹3,500
This is enough for a comfortable room with the basic facilities most travellers need.
Luxury choices are limited, so don’t come here expecting a resort-heavy hotel scene.
Tura: best for western Meghalaya
Tura is the practical base for exploring western Meghalaya.
If you’re visiting Garo Hills, Nokrek, Balpakram or nearby attractions, staying in Tura saves you from making ridiculous drives from Shillong.
Budget: ₹800–₹1,500
Basic hotels and guesthouses are easy enough to find.
Mid-range: ₹1,500–₹4,000
This gets you a comfortable hotel room in town.
For western Meghalaya, location matters more than fancy facilities.
Where should you stay?
If you’re planning a typical 5–7 day Meghalaya trip, I’d split the nights rather than book one hotel for the entire trip.
A practical route looks like this:
| Area | Nights | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Shillong | 2 | City, Laitlum, nearby attractions |
| Sohra | 2 | Waterfalls, caves, Nongriat |
| Mawlynnong | 1 | Village, Riwai Living Root Bridge |
| Shnongpdeng/Dawki | 1–2 | Umngot River, boating, camping |
For a budget trip, ₹1,000–₹1,500 per night per room is a reasonable target for basic accommodation.
For a comfortable couple’s trip, I’d budget around ₹2,500–₹5,000 per night. That’s where you start getting good rooms without paying resort prices.
And if you’re travelling with family, spend more on location and parking. After 6 hours on Meghalaya’s roads, you’ll care about those 2 things a lot more than a fancy lobby.
My picks by budget
Under ₹1,500: local homestays and budget hotels in Shillong, Sohra and Mawlynnong.
₹1,500–₹5,000: comfortable hotels, cottages and better homestays. This is the range I’d choose for most Meghalaya trips.
₹5,000–₹10,000+: resort-style stays around Shillong and Sohra, particularly if the property has a good valley view.
For the experience: spend a night in Nongriat or Shnongpdeng. The accommodation is simpler, but you’ll remember the location.
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