Must see hotels in India

The mighty 19th-century palace of the raja of Dhenkanal is set against the foothills of the Eastern Ghats, overlooking the quaint town of Dhenkanal. The…

Great for meeting fellow travellers, Pelling's backpacker classic is very hard to beat across several categories, with great-value rooms, good free wi-fi,…

This deliciously preserved 150-year-old bungalow exudes undiluted nostalgia, with quaintly luxurious rooms. Reminisce about bygone times in the company of…

Enter this lovingly converted haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence) through heavy wooden doors into an incense-perfumed courtyard, with a…

The former residence of the sixth nizam, this 1884 neoclassical palace now run by the Taj group oozes class and grandeur with its embossed-leather…

This fabulous guesthouse with charming, enthusiastic and well-informed hosts is the best accommodation within the fort. Stylish rooms have granite…

It's hard to top this intimate safari camp for bush-chic luxury. The setting, beside a swampy lake surrounded by forest, is perfect and the six well…

A painstakingly yet meticulously executed restoration project has seen this once-dilapidated building come alive as the city's most stylish B&B. The…

Built in 2017 but using traditional construction techniques, this superb family guesthouse sits beside the mellifluously rushing Jogini stream, 10 minutes…

This quaint, rambling relic of the Raj is one of Darjeeling’s most atmospheric digs. The charming Ada Villa, with the tea rooms and bar, was once a…

Run by Buddhist nuns and Dutch volunteers, this wonderful six-room getaway attracts longer-stay guests who want to unwind in a calm, meditative…

Just off Sansar Chandra Marg, this very popular travellers’ haunt has a travel desk, book and gift shop, and a range of in-house activities, from block…

Taj Hotels has luxury properties at all of MP’s major tiger parks, but this discerning choice is the most jungly and jaw-dropping. Twelve massive bamboo,…

This leading hotel set in two converted lakeside havelis (traditional, ornately decorated residences) takes the location cake, and staff are efficient and…

An award-winning, totally charming family homestay, peacefully located 12km southwest of Munnar, overlooking owner Tomy’s exquisite nursery and organic…

Forget the 3500 hand-blown chandelier bulbs or the 75-species aquarium in the lobby of this newer hotel connected to the domestic airport terminal. At the…

This is a beautiful restored haveli, full of Mughal atmosphere and centred on a courtyard. Rooms have grandiose polished-wood beds, but it's worth paying…

Run by an affable Khasi woman, this delightful resort is 15km southwest of Cherrapunjee but only 4km from Tyrna. It has inviting rooms in the main…

This 280-year-old royal haveli (traditional, ornately decorated residence), set around three courtyards – one with a tinkling fountain – is a fascinating…

Run by the good people at Dekeling Hotel, this is a great escape from Darjeeling's increasingly noisy centre, situated 1km south en route to the Japanese…