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The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in India

The ethos of the guest is like god is brought to life in Indias most luxurious hotels
The ethos of "the guest is like god" is brought to life in India's most luxurious hotels | Courtesy of the Oberoi Amarvilas / Expedia

India is a diverse country, rich in culture and traditions. The hospitality industry here is renowned all over the world, and has the ideal of athithi devo bhava – the guest is like god – at its heart. Looking for the very best places to stay for a special occasion? Here are the finest luxury hotels and best places to stay in India, where you’ll receive nothing but the best service.

The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur

Hotel

Aerial- The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur 3
Courtesy of Oberoi
Since its grand opening in 1997, The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur has set new benchmarks in luxury hospitality, putting India on the map for discerning travellers. Located amidst 32 acres of lush gardens in a Rajasthani fort setting, complete with richly appointed accommodations, bespoke dining experiences, and a spa. The resort features exquisitely designed rooms, luxury tents, and villas with private pools, each with a distinctive Rajasthani aesthetic. The newly introduced Premier Rooms with Gardens and Premier Rooms with Private Pools provide additional options for guests seeking exclusive comfort. Dining at The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur is a gastronomic journey, with options to savour the finest cuisines from India and beyond. The Oberoi Spa, housed in an 18th-century haveli, offers a range of holistic treatments and therapies, allowing guests to rejuvenate with Oberoi signature massages and yoga sessions. The resort also offers curated cultural experiences, including traditional Rajasthani music and dance performances, cooking classes, and guided tours of Jaipur’s historical landmarks such as the Amber Fort, City Palace, and Hawa Mahal.

Amanbagh, Ajabgarh

Hotel, Luxury

Domed hotel rooms at Amanbagh with a pool and garden in the foreground
Courtesy of Amanbagh / Expedia

Looking for a haven from the hot Rajasthan sun? Amanbagh, near the Aravalli mountain range, offers a refuge of pavilions and suites with Mughal design aesthetics, vaulted ceilings and secluded patios and verandas – all surrounded by swaying palm and fruit trees. Treat your body to Ayurveda-based spa wraps, scrubs and yoga before a walk through the garden, once a favourite haunt of the local Maharaja.

The Lodhi, New Delhi

Spa Hotel, Hotel

An outdoor dining area at the Lodhi with set tables and a water feature
Courtesy of the Lodhi / Expedia

Sleek and modern, this city resort offers sunlit standard rooms, plus garden terrace rooms with panoramas over the Lutyens’ Delhi neighbourhood (named after architect Sir Edwin Lutyens who was a key player in the design of New Delhi). You can also opt for a veranda pool suite with a private plunge pool, or a massive two-level Sultan Suite. Cafes, bakeries and bars, plus a variety of restaurants serving continental and Indian fare, mean you won’t go hungry. Hit the squash or tennis courts to burn off those big meals, or go for a hot stone or deep tissue massage at the spa.

RAAS Chhatrasagar, Rajasthan

Resort, Hotel, Luxury

Sunloungers overlooking a pool at RAAS Chhatrasagar with trees in the background
Courtesy of RAAS Chhatrasagar / Expedia

What pass for tents at RAAS Chhatrasagar in Rajasthan offer more comfort than most modern homes. Jodhpur stone, teak furnishings, hand-painted local decor on sound-proofed canvas walls – plus heating and air conditioning – make these stylish lodgings the epitome of luxury camping. The real attraction here, though, is the attached reservoir, home to an abundance of birdlife – bring your camera to capture the striking blue kingfishers or the prehistoric-looking pelicans.

The Imperial, New Delhi

Luxury

A dining area in a marble courtyard at the Imperial New Delhi with a water feature in the centre
Courtesy of the Imperial New Delhi / Expedia

Art lovers, rejoice. This four-storey heritage hotel, near Connaught Place in New Delhi, brims with a venerable collection of pieces from master painters and has three in-house galleries. Take an art tour and learn about the colonial architectural influences of the hotel. And when it’s time to eat, there’s a pastry shop, tavern, brasserie and Tuscan bistro.

The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, Ranthambhore

Resort

A rectangular swimming pool surrounded by sunloungers at the Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort
Courtesy of the Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort / Expedia

Want to spot a Bengal tiger in the wild? If so, Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort is the destination for you. Stay in kitted-out triple-canopy tents (with king-sized beds and personal butler service) next to the tiger reserve in Ranthambore National Park. Lily ponds and Mughal architecture, along with a central swimming pool and attractive after-dark lighting, catch the eye. But you’re here for the tigers. Book jungle outings with the Rajasthan Forest Department before heading out to see these endangered predators in the flesh.

ITC Grand Goa, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Cansaulim

Hotel, Luxury

A spa room at ITC Grand Goa with a treatment couch and an open door leading to a garden
Courtesy of ITC Grand Goa / Expedia

ITC Grand Goa is one of the best beach hotels in India. Found just off Arossim Beach, it’s full of cobblestone paths, artificial lagoons, swimming pools, small bridges and plenty of holiday charm. Choose a more modest (yet still lavish) garden-view room with a private balcony, or perhaps go for the sea-view suite with a private lap pool and lounge deck. With six dining spots serving a globe-hopping menu, plus an Ayurvedic wellness spa, your belly, skin and mind are well looked after here.

Wildflower, an Oberoi Resort, Shimla

Hotel

A lounge area at Wildflower Hall with white walls, brown sofas and large windows looking out over a rural view
Courtesy of Wildflower Hall / Expedia

In the mountainous Himachal Pradesh, Wildflower Hall is the destination for luxury at elevation. Surrounded by the towering snow-capped Himalayas, this colonial-style resort has grand suites, plus alpine-view rooms with teak furnishing and Victorian-inspired decor. When the weather permits, dine outside under a hilltop gazebo with a Himalayan backdrop. When temperatures fall, go ice skating on a tennis court converted into a rink, then get cosy inside next to the fireplaces in the hotel bar or private dining hall.

Kumarakom Lake Resort, Kumarakom

Resort, Hotel

Cabins standing behind a row of palm trees at Kumarakom Lake Resort
Courtesy of Kumarakom Lake Resort / Expedia

Luxury runs deep at Kumarakom Lake Resort in Kerala, where Prince Charles chose to celebrate his 65th birthday. It offers luxurious stays in suites and villas edging a 250m-long (820ft), river-like pool. Or you could book a houseboat, drifting along Vembanad Lake, home to plenty of birdlife. Food is equally spectacular – head to Ettukettu Restaurant for seafood-centric Keralan gastronomic delights, including the appetising karimeen pollichathu (fish in banana leaves).

The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

Hotel

A bright, empty lobby at the Oberoi Amarvilas with a chess table in the foreground and a sofa in the background
Courtesy of the Oberoi Amarvilas / Expedia

Located less than a kilometre away from the Taj Mahal, the Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra is the most sought-after hotel in the region. The highlight of this five-star hotel lies in the uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal that each room offers. Book the Luxury Suite for 24-hour butler service, walk-in wardrobe and private terrace. Hop on a golf cart to the historic monument during the day and indulge in a romantic candlelit dinner by night.

Rambagh Palace, Jaipur

Spa Hotel, Hotel

Dining tables on a marble terrace overlooking a large green garden at Rambagh Palace
Courtesy of Rambagh Palace / Expedia

Once the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, Rambagh Palace gives an authentic royal experience amid the beauty of a bygone era. Constructed in 1835, it has impressive gardens, marble colonnades and opulent guest rooms. Catch a polo match at the adjacent Rambagh polo grounds, hire a vintage car to explore the nearby Amber Palace or book the Baradari Experience, which includes a private dinner and a live music performance.

The Tamara Coorg, Yevakapadi

Hotel

A wood-panelled hotel room at the Tamara Coorg with a bed and desk in the background and a chess table in the foreground
Courtesy of the Tamara Coorg / Expedia

Nestled in the vast depths of Coorg at 1km (3,500ft) above sea level, the Tamara Coorg is the epitome of a quiet retreat in the lap of nature. The property is surrounded by lush greenery, including coffee, cardamom, and pepper plantations. Listen to the birdsong from your private cottage, complete with a plush king-sized bed and terrace overlooking the rolling hills. With an ecologically sensitive outlook, the hotel minimises its impact on the environment by using electric golf carts around the resort and reusable slippers for guests.

Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

Hotel

The white exterior of Taj Falaknuma Palace overlooking an outdoor swimming pool with sunloungers and greenery
Courtesy of Taj Falaknuma Palace / Expedia

One of the most luxurious places to stay in India, Taj Falaknuma Palace exemplifies 19th-century splendour. Dating back to 1894, it was formerly the residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad, who was the richest man in the world at the time. You will be ushered into the resort on a horse-drawn carriage, before strolling through the richly decorated interior. Book the Nizam suite with its private pool and exclusive access to the Jiva spa.

Alila Diwa Goa, Majorda

Boutique Hotel, Resort, Hotel

The entrance to Alila Diwa Goa hotel with greenery outside
Courtesy of Alila Diwa Goa / Expedia

Experience the heart and soul of India’s smallest state, Goa, with a stay at Alila Diwa. While the region is known for its party culture, this resort offers a tranquil, family-friendly stay. Take a dip in the infinity pool overlooking the rice paddies, while your kids are happily entertained at the on-site kids’ club. Dinner at the restaurant is a must, featuring traditional Goan family recipes. Finish the day with a smokey Manhattan at the speakeasy bar.

The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

Suite Hotel, Business Hotel, Chain Hotel

The palatial Taj Mahal Palace with a large blue pool in front of it surrounded by sunloungers and parasols
Courtesy of the Taj Mahal Palace / Expedia

The Taj Mahal Palace is a legendary sea-facing jewel of Mumbai. More than a century old, this spectacular India hotel is renowned for its grandeur and its views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India monument. Each luxury room and suite harks back to colonial times with four-poster beds, plush bedding and chandeliers. Eight eateries are available on site – ranging from Japanese to eastern Mediterranean cuisine. Book afternoon tea in the Sea Lounge for a truly regal experience.

Looking for relaxation? Discover our guide on where to practice yoga in India. To discover more plush hotels in India, check out our guide to the best hotels in Srinagar, Pune, or Hyderabad.

This is an updated version of an article originally by Charishma Thankappan.

If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
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