6 Best Hotels in India

Nestled in a picturesque valley and surrounded by lush green hills, the rooms and villas here sprawl over so many acres that golf carts or buggies remain busy ferrying guests around the property. The ambience is relaxing, the views spectacular from every point, and service excellent. For a luxurious stay, opt for a villa, which come with a large private pool; some rooms also come with a plunge pool and balcony. The restaurant puts out top-quality local and Western dishes.

The best deal in Colaba—a clean, quaint, simple tourist joint in a prime South Mumbai location—is the kind of place young expats send visiting friends to stay at if they don't have room to host them themselves. In the heart of the Colaba Causeway, its side-road setting makes it surprisingly quiet, and any lack of modern amenities is more than balanced by the charm. Rooms, with old-style wooden furniture, come in two sizes. 

Extremely popular with businesspeople because of its central location between South Mumbai and the western suburbs, India's tallest hotel—33 stories—has a luxury rooftop bar that is one of the city's hottest (and most expensive) nightspots. Earth tones and warm colors are the order of the day throughout the hotel, from the marble and wood lobby to the spacious rooms: the standard rooms come in three sizes, from 385 square feet to nearly 600 square feet, while suites range from the living-room-bedroom-double-walk-in-closet setup to the massive Presidential Suite.

Favored by business travelers, this hotel in the heart of charming Cuffe Parade also offers some great views, comfortable rooms, a choice of restaurants, and a hip bar. Rooms are modern, with polished wood floors, wall-mounted televisions, and massage showers—sea-facing rooms cost slightly more, but the views of South Mumbai and the harbor are worth it. Although not as extravagant as its palatial counterpart near the Gateway of India, the Taj President is priced right for a business hotel.

The well-placed Taj Wellington Mews's well-outfitted, elegant (but unremarkable) serviced apartments have all the amenities required for long-stay (and short-stay) guests. There's also a fancy Jiva Grande spa, a garden, a pool, jogging track, and fitness center with personal trainers---and the usual unflappable Taj service.

Formerly known as Taj Gateway, this hotel offers a good view of the Taj Mahal from some rooms and its rooftop restaurant. The rooms feature marble inlay flooring and jaali work, and some rooms come with daybeds by the window to enjoy views of the Taj. The elegant marble lobby opens into an excellent restaurant. Guests can go for a dip in the temperature-controlled pool surrounded by acres of landscaped lawn, or visit the JIVA Spa (spread out across five air-conditioned tents) offering therapies inspired by yogic principles.