Mcleod Ganj
Up a lane near the Tsuglagkhang, Chonor House is an 18-room gem run by the Norbulingka Institute, whose wonderful handmade furnishings and fabrics are…
Must-see hotels in India
Gokarna
'Journeying into the self' is the mantra at SwaSwara and you certainly have the infrastructure to achieve that here, as this is one of South India’s…
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
This is one of the best of Delhi's new breed of hostels, in an interesting location on the fringes of Old Delhi, with young, friendly staff, a brightly…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Expect superb service at this very fine hotel, spread over 8 hectares of stunning tropical gardens. The West End dates to 1887, when it was established as…
Arunachal Pradesh
Deservedly one of the most popular homestays in the Ziro Valley. Host Punyo Chada speaks excellent English and is a great fount of information and…
Bharatpur
This popular, well-run place close to the Keoladeo park entrance may look modest from the road, but out back there's a lovely garden (with bar) and…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
The uber-opulent Oberoi is set in lush gardens around an enchanting 120-year-old tree, yet its central location could not be more convenient. It mixes…
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
A thoughtfully designed, long-established, ecofriendly resort boasting elegantly comfortable timber, bamboo-thatched or tented cottages, just back from…
Kashmir & Ladakh
Opened in 2017, well-run and locally owned Hotel the Kargil is easily the best place in town, with supercomfortable beds, stylish modern bathrooms, back…
Calangute & Baga
Don't be fooled by the name – there's no longer a restaurant here but there is a great little budget guesthouse. Family-run Indian Kitchen has a range of…
Gujarat & Diu
This cluster of comfortable, grassland-yellow, tastefully decorated stone villas just outside the western entrance of Blackbuck National Park is a…
Calangute & Baga
Set back behind a whitewashed chapel off busy Baga Rd, this convivial but quiet place has beautifully kept Mediterranean-style rooms orbiting a gorgeous…
Hampi
This place consists of just two rooms set off a little yard, but they're the best in Hampi Bazaar, each with quality mattresses, attractive decorative…
Mysuru (Mysore)
A near-serene location in huge lawned grounds makes this great new hostel a very tranquil base for travellers weary of urban India. The grand yellow villa…
Bharatpur
The Birder’s Inn is a popular, long-standing base for exploring Keoladeo National Park. There is a multicuisine restaurant and a small pool to cool off in…
Ladakh
A Ladakhi-Italian family has created this delightfully relaxing getaway of eight rooms in the north of the valley whose panoramic views encompass Phyang…
Palolem
At the northern end of the beach, long-running Cozy Nook is one of Palolem's originals and still builds well-designed cottages including two-storey bamboo…
Panaji
In an old Portuguese house in historic Fontainhas, this flamboyant hostel is a beacon for budget travellers to Panaji. Slick four-bed dorms with lockers…
Mt Abu
A fairly central and popular budget spot, Shri Ganesh is well set up for travellers, with an inexpensive cafe-restaurant and plenty of helpful travel…
Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach
Visakhapatnam
A modernist landmark that boasts a commanding position on Beach Rd facing the Bay of Bengal. Rooms are very well-appointed and immaculately presented, all…
Karnataka
At the edge of the city, this hotel has attractive, artistically decorated rooms overlooking farmland. Food is home cooked, flavoursome and inventive. The…
Bhubaneswar
The spacious, stylish rooms at the Trident, decorated with fine examples of Odishan stonework, textiles and metalwork, look out onto the peaceful gardens…
South Goa
These sweet timber cottages dominate central Cola Beach, overlooking either the beach or the lagoon, and are the first place you’ll find on the walk down…
Mysuru (Mysore)
Excellent hostel in a historic house that shows Indian and British architectural influences. It's very well set up, with spacious dorms and private rooms,…
Arunachal Pradesh
A wonderful retreat with a handful of cosy rooms set in the forest just above the surging Siang River, across the bridge north of Pasighat. Great meals…
South Goa
A serious step up from the budget places, Skylark’s clean, fresh rooms are graced with bits and pieces of locally made teak furniture and block-print…
Srinagar
At the 'corner' of Dal Lake Second Row and the access channel from Ghat 9, 'super deluxe' Young Beauty Star has a superb view of lake life from the front…
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
A great alternative to Paharganj's less-than-fancy cheap hotels, Panda offers bright, clean dorms (one is female only) with attached bathrooms, charge…
Hampi
Lovely family-run homestay in a tranquil rural location around 2km west of the Royal Centre (bikes are available). The five spacious rooms are furnished…
Mysuru (Mysore)
The Mercure is a very well-run hotel, with attentive, friendly staff members and sleek, well-equipped rooms. There's a large rooftop swimming pool (big…
Delhi
A friendly, relaxed hostel with a bright and airy sitting room that's one of the best places in town to hang out and meet like-minded travellers. It has…
South Goa
It's rare to find good old-fashioned palm-thatch cocohuts on this stretch of beachfront but the 11 sturdy thatched huts at Blue Corner are the best in…
Hyderabad
A well-managed mid-range hotel with modern furnishings; rooms are all air-conditioned and have attractive furniture, minifridge and flatscreen TV. Staff…
Karnataka
This fine business hotel has modern rooms equipped with flat-screen TVs (with cable) and modish furniture. Staff members are very helpful and attentive,…
Srinagar
This trio of deluxe boats has a pleasant shared deck and rooftop, and the fourth-generation family-owners are gracious and helpful. In 1975 they hosted…
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
This hotel has rooms with a pleasing contemporary touch, large flatscreen TVs, wooden floors, safe and minibar. The Blue Fox restaurant here is good,…
South Goa
Beautifully designed and constructed cottages with open-air bathrooms and spring mattresses surround a central bar and beachfront restaurant. Some have…
Odisha
In the village of Mangarajpur, an hour's drive north from Bhubaneswar, Debjit and his family welcome visitors into their ancestral home, a rambling…
Odisha
Charmingly set amid dense forest 10km outside of Dhenkanal, this elegant heritage palace dates back to 1935 and belongs to one of the families of the…
Sikkim
This fabulous, low-key resort feels like a pseudo temple and is set gloriously alone amid trees and terraced organic gardens 200m off the Rumtek road …
