i.
Closest to the shrine isn’t always best.
Tirupati, Shirdi, Vaishno Devi — the shrine-front hotels are often basic and overpriced. 5–10 km away, you get full-service branded hotels with temple shuttles, vegetarian dining, and proper service at half the price.
Tirupati: stay near Tirumala base, not on the hill. Shirdi: Sai Leela road has the chain hotels.