Kodaikanal (Kodai)
The cream of Kodai’s hotels is a magnificent five-star colonial-era mansion overlooking the lake. Rooms are spacious with extra-comfy beds and, for some,…
Must-see hotels in South India
Kerala
These charming lakeside cottages are easily the best choice for a relaxing, affordable stay in Kollam. Host Prabhath Joseph offers a warm welcome, with…
Maharashtra
This extremely well-managed and well-presented hotel is only a short hop from the station. Rooms vary in size and layout, but with whitewashed walls, a…
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Hidden behind popular Chrissie's Cafe, this four-storey, German-Egyptian-owned hideaway somehow blends into its forest-green surrounds and is filled with…
The Western Ghats
Exquisitely located on a rambling tea estate, Sinna Dorai has just six huge rooms bursting with local early-20th-century history. A cosy library,…
Tamil Nadu
In an unbelievably beautiful beachfront location, this stylish, mellow, surf-mad guesthouse is home to Kovalam's original surf school, Covelong Point. It…
Kerala
Marari stays don't get better than this: four intimate, independent boutique villas dotted along or near the beachfront, washed in dusty reds, whites and…
Kochi (Cochin)
With a smile that brightens weary travellers, welcoming owner Sheeba looks ready to sign your adoption papers the minute you walk through the door. Down a…
The Western Ghats
Flower-draped, French-owned La Maison is a beautifully renovated 1890s Scottish bungalow superbly situated on a hilltop surrounded by tea plantations, 5km…
Nashik
Sula's new 31-room, Tuscan-inspired resort occupies the converted facilities of the brand's original winery. Extremely comfortable rooms are decked out in…
Madurai
This leafy haven, 4km northwest of central Madurai, originally housed the old Madurai Club. It's been impeccably tarted up, with intricate Kerala-style…
Varkala
Not your typical Varkala address, this gorgeously original hideaway is packed with art and antiques and topped by a breezy roof terrace. The five rooms…
Aurangabad
The standard rooms at this pleasant midrange option masquerading as a budget hotel are easily Aurangabad's best deal. Spacious, comfy linens, flat-screen…
Chennai (Madras)
A new iteration of a favourite old B&B, Ikhaya brilliantly brings together the best of heritage ambience and contemporary amenities. Rooms have carved…
The Western Ghats
Along with ecofriendly touches (solar power, rainwater harvesting), Jungle Hut has probably the best food in Bokkapuram (if you’re visiting from another…
Kozhikode (Calicut)
In northern Calicut, the restored 1850 home of the Kadathanadu royal family is as serene as it gets – a traditional family compound with pristine lawns,…
Munnar
Green Valley's views are superb, its rooms smartly up to date, and its welcome warm. Rooms sprawl across three floors, all facing the valley, and have TVs…
The Western Ghats
Arguably Mudumalai's most stylish resort, with accommodation in lovingly built stone cottages, two tree houses and a dorm (minimum four people), all…
Chennai (Madras)
A beautifully comfortable, relaxed base on a quiet street in a leafy south Chennai neighbourhood. Three immaculate private rooms with king-size or wide…
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
In Trivandrum’s leafy western suburbs, this lovely, serene family house amid sprawling gardens has four fan-cooled rooms, neatly furnished with individual…
Maharashtra
It’s certainly not a resort, but it is something of a rarity in Lonavla: a well-priced, family-run place in a quiet residential location that’s close to…
Kerala
The location is sublime at this peaceful three-room homestay, separated from a quiet piece of Kattoor Beach by a small lagoon (cross in a borrowed canoe!)…
Maharashtra
This charming hilltop hotel offers spacious, discerningly-appointed cottages and treehouses on meticulously manicured grounds overlooking Arthur Lake,…
Mumbai (Bombay)
Efficiently managed, and within walking distance of all the sights in Colaba and Fort, the YWCA is a good deal and justifiably popular. The spacious, well…
Arambol (Harmal)
Traveller-painted murals cover the walls in this very chilled backpacker place near the main village. Young owners have worked hard making the dorms, neon…
Kodaikanal (Kodai)
This multilevel hillside guesthouse will blow your mind with jaw-dropping views that are far better than those offered by any hotels in Kodaikanal proper…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
