The Best Hotels in Agra, India

With clean, modern interiors and beautifully landscaped gardens, the Trident Agra makes for a great base camp, nestled in the heart of the action. The hotel features 135 tastefully appointed rooms and suites, which overlook the central courtyard and verdant grounds. There is a great range of facilities, including a spa, a wellness centre and a kids’ club, as well as friendly service to boot.

One of the top luxury hotels in Agra, the Taj is home to 239 plush rooms encased in an impressive glass-and-steel structure. The interiors are modern yet decadent, with plush fabrics and golden tones used throughout. The sprawling presidential suite opens out onto private lawns, but the pièce de résistance is the rooftop infinity pool that overlooks the dome of the Taj Mahal and is open to all hotel guests.

A kaleidoscope of colour awaits at this beautiful homestay, which only has four rooms surrounded by lush gardens. The dazzling interiors were lovingly created by owners Vadna Singh, a government-approved tour guide, and his wife Gopal. The couple strives to make stays as comfortable as possible, providing delicious home-cooked meals in the evenings. As Vadna is an experienced tour guide, you’ll get some top-notch recommendations.

With an Olympic-size swimming pool paved with arabesque tiles, swaying palm trees and 6 acres (2ha) of manicured gardens, Tajview is the perfect spot to make the most of the sunny weather. Inside, the rooms are equally princely, with extra-large beds, freestanding bathtubs and shiny marble floors. Give your spirits an extra boost with a trip to the Sky Deck, an open-air rooftop restaurant that serves up terrific city views.

The Crystal Sarovar Premiere is another interesting choice for a five-star stay within a short distance to the best sights in Agra. The rooms, most offering clear views of the ivory-white dome of the Taj Mahal, have luxurious living spaces equipped with leather sofas, writing desks and flat-screen TVs. Sky Grill, the open-air restaurant, is great for a sundowner or a hearty BBQ dinner. There are also a fitness centre and a play zone for your kids.

Surrounded by mature foliage, this expansive hotel serves as a peaceful retreat in the city centre. The five-star resort has 236 well-appointed rooms which have a regal-yet-homely vibe, with warm tones, antique-style furniture and wall hangings. Set amid lush green lawns, the outdoor pool is a top place to unwind after a day of sightseeing, as is the Adheba spa, where Ayurvedic and traditional western treatments are both available.

Located just 600 metres (1,970ft) away from the iconic Taj Mahal, the Oberoi Amarvilas is one of the most beautiful luxury getaways in India. Every single room offers a view of the Taj Mahal and boasts Mughal detailing in the furnishings, covers and upholstery. The grounds of the hotel are vast, including terraced lawns, fountains, limpid pools and romantic pavilions. Continue the sensory journey with a sitting at Bellevue, the in-house restaurant, which offers an Italian concept, where you can complement your experience with hand-rolled pasta and pizzas.

The mainstay of distinguished royalty figures such as Prince Aga Khan and Dilip Kumar, the Grand Imperial has a rich history to offer and entertain its visitors. There are 30 rooms in total, including several suites. All of these have terracotta-coloured walls and opulent decorations from the original hotel (known then as the Imperial). The spa offers traditional Ayurvedic treatments, sure to help with a relaxing and luxurious rest after a day of sightseeing. You can also unwind in the gardens or take a dip in the small-yet-charming pool, flanked by a Mughal-styled gazebo.

A boutique hotel in the heart of Agra, the Hotel Atulyaa Taj prides itself on its sleek design and comfortable interiors. There’s a rooftop garden restaurant known as the Exotica, with views of the Taj. The restaurant is located next to a swimming pool, where you can relax. The rooms are upholstered in dark, warm shades, and, while they aren’t quite as opulent as some other locations on this list, they are pretty, spacious and have all the mod-cons.

The ITC Mughal is steeped in Mughal details that make it an outstanding piece of architecture in its own right. Its carefully landscaped garden is designed along the lines of Mughal gardens, with slim water channels, lush flowering trees and an abundance of fruit trees. The suites are all inspired by famous Mughals – for example, stay at the Mumtaz (Mahal) suite, the Nur Jahan suite or the Tansen suite. Crafted down to the last, most exquisite detail, this is any history aficionado’s dream come true.