Uttarakhand
Big, immaculately clean rooms open on to shared terraces with sublime valley and Himalaya views, catching the afternoon and sunset light. Newer rooms on…
Must-see hotels in India
Coonoor
A classic 1900s British bungalow at the top of town has been transformed into something special. The six handsome, airy rooms sport antique furniture,…
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
Blurring the line between a small boutique hotel and an upmarket homestay, the elegant Ten Suites has huge rooms with dark wood furnishings, tasteful…
Rishikesh
Some rooms in this top-end hotel have stunning river views – but few rival that of the Ganges-facing glass elevator, which could be a tourist attraction…
North Goa
With a philosophy of 'art, music, wellness', former backpacker and local DJ Ravi has established a great little creative space for like-minded travellers…
Gujarat & Diu
Conveniently located next to the train station, this excellent chain hotel is the most comfortable place to stay in town. Rooms are absolutely spotless…
Bihar
This family-run hotel is in a useful and relatively quiet location off Fraser Rd and close to Patna Museum. Rooms – all with air-con – are spacious,…
Uttarakhand
On the upper main road is this traveller-friendly hotel with a wide range of good-value rooms – most of which feature amazing views of the Panchchuli…
Ladakh
Accessed through a pleasant garden restaurant (mains ₹120 to ₹150) directly behind the bus stop, the Dragon Hotel's new en suite rooms are clean, spacious…
Kashmir & Ladakh
Jan Palace's spacious rooms remain among the brightest and most reliably clean in central Kargil. Bedrooms offer little decorative style, but modern…
Sikkim
Our favourite budget digs in Lachung, the Kalden Residency is based around a local-style timber house, with a couple of newer buildings around a yard…
Diu
Immaculate and unexpectedly creative, with comfortable, condo-like villas set around a figure-eight pool in grassy grounds, Radhika is just steps from…
Uttarakhand
At the Taj Group's luxury offering, modern rooms and cottages are spread around a verdant garden. There's an outdoor pool and full-service spa and gym,…
Uttar Pradesh
By far the nicest of Kushinagar's pilgrim accommodation offerings, this is a great temple choice. Rooms come with en suite cold-water bathrooms and fans,…
Ladakh
Set around a small garden that blooms beautifully in late July, 10 tents are each equipped with full-sized double beds, en suite toilets and washing…
Rishikesh
This sweet little boutique hotel has colourfully painted walls, comfortable mattresses and a small lending library. A couple of the rooms have good-sized…
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
Ecofriendly boho bungalows, with ceiling fans, concrete bathrooms, mosquito nets, filtered water and hand-painted murals of local birds, set in a coconut…
Nubra Valley
Turtuk’s long-term traveller favourite guesthouse has a pretty garden dining space, and panoramic views from en suite Room 201 and from the unadorned…
West Bengal
The rajbari at Bawali, about 30km southwest of Kolkata, represents a masterful exercise in restoration of a once-crumbling 18th-century palace. Many of…
Eastern Rajasthan
The suite-sized rooms at Patan Mahal have all been painstakingly restored and furnished in plush and comfortable style. This is a relaxing retreat where…
Assam
This heritage resort 5km from Balipara offers luxurious rooms in five superbly renovated bungalows amid a picturesque botanic garden (the Eastern…
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
For a real treat check into this high-end, boutique safari camp with 12 well-spaced safari tents with wooden floors, a desk on which to write in your…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
The 1840 Great Eastern Hotel was once one of India's finest hotels. It lay derelict for years, and the original west-facing facade still remains a work in…
Jaipur
The second hotel for the successful Pearl Palace team is an upper-midrange property, featuring a lift, five-star hotel linen and some extraordinary decor…
Rajasthan
Hotel Jamuna Resort has everything the traveller needs for a bargain price. The rooms in the older wing are either vibrantly painted with murals or…
Rishikesh
A multistorey hotel converted into a hostel, Live Free is an arty hub decorated in murals and run by owners who know backpackers' needs. Hammocks are…
Udaipur
This delightful countryside retreat has five cottages set around the grounds of a small farm. Each comes with attached bathroom (with solar-heated shower)…
Assam
This luxurious, tastefully renovated tea-planter's bungalow, about 20km southwest of Jorhat, dates from the late 19th century and has seven large rooms…
Karnataka
Set in a coffee plantation that backs onto the park, this luxurious resort has gorgeous Mediterranean-inspired villas (some with private pool) that are in…
Anjuna
Solar lighting, compost toilets and local building materials (including cow dung and rammed earth) are some of the worthy initiatives practised in this…
Bikaner
At this modern hotel with the frontage of an old sandstone haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence) you’ll find unexpectedly grand accommodation…
Northeast States
New in 2015 and a cut above anything else in Aizawl, the Floria has a bright, spacious, contemporary feel and young, professional staff. Rooms have comfy…
Jaipur
This splendid palace was once the Jaipur pad of Maharaja Man Singh II and his glamorous wife Gayatri Devi. Veiled in hectares of manicured gardens, the…
Assam
This large but relaxed and well-run property with flowery gardens has excellent rooms (42 in all) featuring tasteful decor, snug beds, modern amenities…
Udaipur
The icon of Udaipur, this romantic white-marble palace seemingly floating on the lake is extraordinary, with open-air courtyards, lotus ponds and a small,…
Jodhpur
This smaller sibling of Pal Haveli is accessed through the same grand entrance, but is located around to the right in one wing of the residence. It’s a…
Mandawa
Close to Sonathia Gate, on the main road, this hotel is set in a glorious, restored 1890s haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence) with rooms…
Maharashtra
This 1840s tin-roof heritage bungalow sits just as it did when it was built by the British government for one of its captains. Nestled in its own forest…
Uttarakhand
Kasar Devi's most luxurious accommodation, Mohan's has huge, beautiful rooms with comfy beds and wooden ceilings and floors. The real draw is the indoor…
Rishikesh
Modern, vibrant and friendly, this canary-yellow backpacker is rightfully one of Rishikesh's most popular budget choices. It has a spectacular location…
