Must-see hotels in India

  • The Machan

    Maharashtra

    This astonishing choice hidden away in forested mountains 16km south of Lonavla buries the competition for the state's best hotel. The 28 pine and red…

  • Diphlu River Lodge

    Assam

    Easily the best place to stay in the Kaziranga area, this superb resort 15km west of Kohora near Bagori Police Outpost, combines fine luxuries and top…

  • Panjim Inn

    Panaji

    One of the original heritage hotels in Fontainhas, the Panjim Inn has been a long-standing favourite for its character and charm. Run by the lovely…

  • ITC Maratha

    Mumbai (Bombay)

    This five-star, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum-certified hotel channels the most luxurious local character. The details are…

  • Neeleshwar Hermitage

    Northern Kerala

    This fabulous, plastic-free beachfront ecoresort consists of 18 sleekly designed thatch-roof cottages inspired by Kerala fishers' huts, with voguish…

  • Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

    Mumbai (Bombay)

    The grande dame of Mumbai is one of the world’s most iconic hotels and has hosted a roster of presidents and royalty. Sweeping arches, staircases and…

  • Ri Kynjai

    Shillong

    This superbly designed resort among lush woodlands is a gem of a getaway. Abundant use of wood, thatch and earth tones gives a soothingly rustic feel, but…

  • Imperial

    New Delhi

    Classicism meets art deco at the Imperial, which dates from 1931 and was designed by FB Blomfield, an associate of Lutyens. Rooms have high ceilings,…

  • Jalakara

    Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)

    Easily the chicest place to stay in the Andamans, this ecoconscious British-owned luxe-boutique hideaway is built into a banana-and-betel-nut plantation,…

  • Oberoi Amarvilas

    Agra

    Following Oberoi's iron-clad modus operandi of maharaja-level service, exquisite dining and properties that pack some serious wow factor, Agra's best…

  • Saratha Vilas

    Tamil Nadu

    A different Chettiar charm inhabits this gorgeously renovated, French-run mansion from 1910, 6km east of Kanadukathan. Rooms combine the traditional and…

  • Hotel Pearl Palace

    Jaipur

    The legendary Pearl Palace continues to exceed guests' expectations with excellent rooms that defy their tariffs. There’s quite a range of rooms to choose…

  • Baradari Palace

    Punjab (India)

    Built as a garden palace for Maharaja Rajinder Singh, this nostalgic heritage hotel is Punjab’s most graceful place to spend a night. The enormous,…

  • Nadesar Palace

    Varanasi

    Varanasi's most expensive hotel is set in the beautifully renovated former palace of the local maharaja. Its 10 rooms ooze luxury and refinement,…

  • Prabhakar Homestay

    Guwahati

    In a quiet residential area, this delightful place run by ex-professor Shiela and her husband, Mahesh, is one of the best homestays in India. The property…

  • Panjim Peoples

    Panaji

    The Panjim Peoples is an atmospheric and beautifully restored heritage hotel with just four enormous upstairs rooms in what was formerly the Peoples High…

  • Orchha Home-Stay

    Orchha

    Thanks to this successful and popular homestay program, started by the non-profit organisation Friends of Orchha in 2009, travellers have a wonderful…

  • Wildflower Hall

    Himachal Pradesh

    If money was no object, regal Wildflower Hall would be almost anyone's top choice of lodgings in Himachal Pradesh. It looms like a modernist Bavarian…

  • Desia

    Odisha

    This gorgeous rural four-room lodge, made of local materials and decorated by tribal artists, is run by Heritage Tours. Activities on offer include half-…

  • Chandoori Sai

    Odisha

    Run by Aussie Leon, this is an earthen-walled refuge with beautiful terracotta flooring, a colourful sari ceiling and five contemporary rooms. The Western…

  • Sunnymead

    Shimla

    Some 40 steps down through a barely signed green gate take you from busy Cart Rd into a magical forest-garden wonderland. Here nestles this wonderfully…

  • Biksthang

    Sikkim

    If you'd like to escape from techno-modernity, yet unwind with highly educated, thoughtful hosts, it's hard to imagine anywhere better than this isolated…

  • Sarai at Toria

    Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh

    This riverside lodge 2km from Madla gate is a superb base. Eight large, very comfortable cottages are spread around the grounds, with thick, cooling mud…

  • Kipling Camp

    Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh

    A wonderful, laid-back wildlife lodge owned by one of India’s most dedicated tiger campaigners: film-maker, photographer and writer Belinda Wright. It’s…

  • Kathiwada Raaj Mahal

    Gujarat & Diu

    Nestling next to the village of Kathiwada in Madhya Pradesh, just near the Gujarat border, this breathtaking 19th-century mansion was once the hunting…

  • Stok Palace Heritage Hotel

    Ladakh

    How often do you get the chance to bed down in a genuine, functioning Himalayan royal palace? The six suites of old rooms here have been stylishly…

  • Orchard Hut

    Himachal Pradesh

    Unwind amid bucolic views, birdsong and sounds of rushing water, cool off in the plunge pool beneath apricot trees, meditate, learn local cooking and even…

  • Chapslee

    Shimla

    For the full Raj treatment, you can't beat this exclusive retreat crammed with chandeliers, tapestries, antiques and family portraits. Five…

  • Salban

    Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh

    This award-winning, luxury homestay, the beautiful, spacious home of a couple who are experts in wildlife and travel, makes a great base for the park's…

  • Kanchan Villa

    Prayagraj (Allahabad)

    Ivan – a guitar-playing Indian rum enthusiast – and his wife, Purnima, are your South Indian/Bengali hosts at this fabulous homestay offering a window…

  • Grand Oak Manor

    Uttarakhand

    Binsar's original Raj-era estate was built in 1856 as the home of British high-commissioner Sir Henry Ramsay. Today it's run by adventure-travel-writer…

  • Tourists Rest House

    Agra

    If you aren't set on sleeping under the nose of the Taj, this centrally located travellers' hub offers the best-value accommodation in Agra, if not the…

  • House of MG

    Ahmedabad (Amdavad)

    Easily Gujarat's best hotel, this 1920s building – once the home of textile magnate Sheth Mangaldas Girdhardas – was converted into a heritage hotel by…

  • Homestay

    Varanasi

    This homestay in a 1936 colonial home in a residential neighbourhood 1.5km from the old town is a true catch. Good-hearted host Harish, a 37-year veteran…

  • Usha Kiran Palace

    Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh

    Live like royalty in this grand 1880 building with expansive gardens that was built as a guesthouse for the Prince of Wales (later King George V). Every…

  • Mrs Bhandari’s Guesthouse

    Amritsar

    Founded by the much-missed Mrs Bhandari (1906–2007), this slightly mothballed but friendly guesthouse is set in spacious grounds in Amritsar cantonment,…

  • Mitali Homestay

    Shantiniketan

    About 2km north of the university in verdant Phuldanga village, the art-, craft- and book-filled home of a retired diplomat and his chef-and-designer wife…

  • Haveli Braj Bhushanjee

    Bundi

    This rambling 200-year-old haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence) is run by the very helpful and knowledgeable Braj Bhushanjee family,…

  • Bansi Homestay

    Agra

    A retired director of Uttar Pradesh Tourism is your host at this wonderful upscale homestay tucked away in a quiet residential neighbourhood near…

  • Lebua Lucknow

    Lucknow

    The 1939 Morris by the entrance sets the tone here, with a classy and stylish collection of courtyards and all-white terraces given colour by original…

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