Stroll through the Taj Mahal, unwind in a Goan beach resort or explore vibrant New Delhi from these five-star hotels in India.
India is a diverse country, rich in culture and traditions. The hospitality industry here is renowned the world over, especially with the ideal of ‘athithi devo bhava’ – the guest is like god – at its heart. Here are the finest luxury hotels in India where you’ll receive nothing but the best service.
# AmanbaghLooking 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 LodhiSleek 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 ChhatrasagarThe “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 DelhiArt 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
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
ITC Grand Goa, off Arossim Beach, is 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.