Bundi
This 300-year-old haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence) up a side alley has been tastefully renovated with golden Jaisalmer sandstone, earth…
Must-see hotels in India
Karnataka
Inspired by luxury safari lodges in Africa, Bison succeeds in replicating the classic wilderness experience with a stunning waterfront location and a…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Located in Mumbai’s BKC business district (close to the airport and Bandra), the Sofitel offers commodious comfort levels. The metal scrap elephant at…
Mancotta Heritage Chang Bungalow
Assam
The best place to enjoy a planter-style cuppa, Mancotta has very comfortable rooms in a charming tea-estate bungalow fronted by lawns and lush gardens,…
Bharatpur
This exquisite heritage hotel, about equidistant between Keoladeo National Park and the town centre, was once owned by the younger son of Maharaja Jaswant…
North Goa
The exact location of this heavenly place, on some 500m of beachfront, is a closely guarded secret. Choose from four beautiful beachfront houses,…
Northeast States
Part of the Tata-owned Ginger hotel chain, this well-managed, low-cost business hotel has smart rooms in pastel shades – not fancy, but comfortable and…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
The pleasingly bright, fully equipped rooms in this classy Kolkata address have some of the city's most comfortable beds. The deep lobby of marble, dark…
Kodagu (Coorg) Region
An incredibly peaceful, very rustic Indian-German-managed tea-, coffee- and rice-growing farm. The cottages have character, though they're basic and best…
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
Five-storey Hotel Broadway was Delhi’s first 'high-rise' when it opened in 1956, with single rooms going for ₹15. Today it's comfortable, charming, quirky…
Bundi
This guesthouse is run by two energetic young couples who are keen to help travellers get the most from their stay in Bundi. Rooms are simple but…
Assam
Eco-Camp provides accommodation in comfortable tents under thatched roofs in lush gardens. The colourful fabrics, attached bathrooms and sturdy beds make…
Shillong
The classiest hotel in town is installed in part of the mansion and estate of the former royal family of Tripura, up a quiet road 3km southeast of the…
North Goa
A five-bedroom villa filled with art, another three-bedroom villa, three two-bedroom casinhas (little houses) and other cottages, set amid 1.6 hectares of…
Bundi
The exquisitely renovated Bundi Haveli blends contemporary style and sophistication with heritage architecture. Spacious rooms, white walls, stone floors,…
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Swish Mariott ups the ante in Kolkata's luxury-accommodation segment with its glitzy interiors, elegant and spacious rooms, a train of creature comforts…
Shillong
Right by the Police Bazar roundabout, the Centre Point is the best centrally located hotel. Run by professional and helpful staff, it has smart rooms with…
Chandigarh
Operated by the state tourism board, this hulk of a building is much more pleasant inside than it looks from the outside. Rooms are unexciting but large,…
Rajasthan
This homestay under the recommended New Bungli Restaurant is run by the same small group of families. Rooms are simple, spacious, cool and clean and you…
Bikaner
This guesthouse, in a family home 3km south of the main train station, is a cosy choice and the base of a good camel-safari operator. It has six rooms in…
Regent Resort, Soma Vine Village
Nashik
Soma Vine Village's luxury resort, 17km west of Nashik, sits by a lake and is bordered by rolling hills. Roam the landscape by bicycle, laze the hours…
Northeast States
The centrally located Sangai Continental provides just what you'd hope for in a midrange business and family hotel. Good-sized contemporary rooms in white…
New Delhi
Fronted by manicured green lawns, elegant Claridges was built in 1952. Colonial era–styled rooms have all the comforts, and there are some excellent…
Chandigarh
Not as grand as some of the Taj Group's other properties, this hotel still offers luxurious, flawless service and rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows,…
Udaipur
Run by an artist family, Krishna Niwas has smart, clean, air-conditioned rooms; those with views are smaller, and some come with balconies. There are…
Meghalaya
Opened in 2017, Jiva's 10 suites, ranged along a plant-decked hallway, all have big quarter-circle bathtubs and great valley and hill views. At weekends…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Light, airy, spacious and well-equipped rooms a stone’s throw from the Gateway of India. Design-wise each floor is themed: the decor ranges from…
Bikaner
This place offers eight varied and clean rooms in a quiet family house with a little garden (hot water by bucket only in budget rooms). On offer are a…
Jaipur
This heritage hotel housed in a gracious 19th-century mansion is set in beautiful green gardens, and has a lovely swimming pool and grand dining room. It…
Amritsar
Across the road from the train station, but far from grungy, the Grand is an oasis of calm amid an otherwise chaotic location. Rooms are spacious – if not…
Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)
Bloom Rooms' white-and-yellow, pared-down designer aesthetic is unlike anything else in this 'hood, and its IKEA-like rooms surround a pleasant interior…
Rajasthan
About 4km east of town is a converted palace partitioned into two hotels. Roop Niwas Kothi is one sibling and has a back-to-the-Raj feel, lovely grounds…
South Goa
Romantic getaways might not come any better than this. With just nine gorgeous thatched cottages – all sea-facing and with jacuzzi on the personal outdoor…
Kalimpong
This 1920s-homestead-turned-heritage-hotel packs plenty of atmosphere and is well run in a professional but friendly way, with a classy restaurant. The…
Hampi
This 'ecowilderness’ resort is 10km west of Virupapur Gaddi by the Tungabhadra River. It's an isolated but supremely relaxed place to escape, with a…
Mandawa
This lovely restored haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence) sits in a quiet part of town with a small lawn and has comfortable and tasteful…
Panaji
Miramar’s plush Goa Marriott Resort is the best in Panaji, with a price tag to match. It's expertly choreographed, with the five-star treatment beginning…
Udaipur
This central hotel has sparkling rooms with decent beds behind solid doors and there's an elevator. It’s eye to eye with the Jagdish Temple, so many of…
Mumbai (Bombay)
This stylish hotel in the happening Khar area blends contemporary chic with traditional artefacts (textiles and hand-carved chairs) and some statement art…
Northeast States
The Sonar Tori has raised the game for Agartala's in-town hotels. The stylish, comfortable rooms in black and cream feature modern bathrooms, and the…
