123 Best Hotels in India

A fork in the road branches off to a mile-long, bumpy road that leads to a spice plantation holding this small resort that emerges like a little paradise from the undergrowth. The whitewashed cottages with thatched roofs lie perched on a hillside, each of them featuring well-lit, attractive rooms with colorful highlights. The hotel’s glass-and-bamboo-fronted reception building also houses a spa, a bar, and a restaurant. A variety of wildlife lives in the forest surrounding the property.

Just opposite the Chinese fishing nets, this 1837 Dutch heritage building, a former brokerage house, features 13 tastefully decorated rooms with bright walls, antique fixtures, and contemporary Indian artwork. The rooms have views of either the fishing nets or the courtyard. Guests can dip in the elevated pool or read under a canopy of tall trees. The restaurant serves local seafood dishes as well as wine and beer.

This boutique resort along the lively Calangute strip offers rooms with white and purple tones, vintage furnishings, eclectic Goan artwork, and refreshing rain showers. There's also a bar with views, an all-day beach restaurant that excels in presentation as well as global flavors, and a gorgeous purple pool (a better swimming option than the sea) flanked by cabanas and sunbeds.

Housed in a 200-year-old former Jewish home, this boutique hotel has five rooms, each designed like an art gallery and displaying the works of different artists. The hotel organizes different experiences for guests, like heritage walks through Kochi, houseboat cruises, and cultural performances. The on-site fine-dining restaurant specializes in contemporary Kerala cuisine.

Located on the periphery of the older northeastern quarter, with marvelous views of Mehrangarh, this pricey hotel is away from the thick of the commotion of Jodhpur, yet still offers a real flavor of the city---and the personal service is amazing. Combing a skillful blend of old and new elements, the hotel lobby and plush rooms are housed in new buildings, while the restaurants and bar are out back in 18th-century havelis. Raas has probably the only pool in Jodhpur with a sumptuous view of the fort.

Plush and always lively, this hotel in the relatively noise-free Cantonment is a favorite for its luxurious settings and well-maintained and upscale amenities. The bright and spacious rooms feature green marble and dark wood floors, pale green and cream silk throws, flat-screen TVs, and upscale bath products. The deep red and gold lobby is always bustling with activity—and large groups. The Great Kebab Factory, the hotel's specialty restaurant, is a big draw for its authentic Uttar Pradesh cuisine.

Designed like a zenana mahal (queen's palace), this intimate hotel offers a taste of royalty, both in design and service. Its opulent jewel-toned interiors, extravagant chandeliers, hand-painted walls, thikri (glass mosaic) art, and the Raffles signature palms that dot the property (particularly in the soaring atrium) all scream luxury but balanced with a homely, lived-in vibe and personalized service. Each room has a unique design and decor—some in salmon pink, others in sunny yellow—but all are spacious and come with balconies (some with hammam-style tubs) or private gardens (some with temperature-controlled pools). The atrium houses Safir, a tea and Champagne lounge while the blue-walled Writer's Bar with tall bookshelves and a dramatic spiral staircase is perfect for an evening cocktail—try the Jaipur Sling made with gin and the local heritage herbal liqueur, Chandr Haas. The Arkaa restaurant serves North Indian cuisine in a palatial setting, while the rooftop Sehara is a Mediterranean restaurant right by the infinity pool.

Set on 47 acres of lawns punctuated by arcaded patios with fountains, courtyards, long colonnades, and prancing peacocks, this wistfully romantic palace was one of the first in Jaipur to be converted into a heritage hotel and is one of the most classically elegant properties in India. Simply the best address in town, it was once home to the last maharaja of Jaipur and his legendary and beautiful wife, Gayatri Devi, and preserves much of its history while providing up-to-the-minute comforts thanks to being run by the Taj group. You are nothing less than royalty yourself when you check into 19th-century Rambagh Palace, as shown by such details as the shower-of-petals welcome to the room butler (in some rooms) ready to attend to your every need. Standard rooms are spacious and largely contemporary, while opulent historical and royal suites have traditional furnishings and Shekhawati-style frescoes. Public spaces are packed with marble, domes, dainty arches, filigree work, and antiques. There's even a train parked in the corner of its grounds that has been converted into a fun restaurant, Steam.

Done up in pastel colors and elegant decor, this former family home-turned-boutique hotel exudes a warm, homely atmosphere. Rooms and suites are spacious, with hand-painted walls, pretty rugs, chandelier-lit marble bathrooms, and high-end amenities. There are plenty of lounges and verandas to relax in, as well as an infinity swimming pool. The in-house restaurant offers a Rajasthani thali and an a la carte menu, both featuring family recipes; international fare is also served along with a small selection of wines, beers, cocktails, and spirits.

This small, intimate Art Deco lodge is convenient for those heading to the national park as well as being something of a destination in its own right. Built less than a century ago as a hunting lodge for the Maharaja of Jaipur, it retains most of its original features and much of the welcoming house-party aura, but it has none of the hauteur or grandness one would expect of a Rajasthani royal property. It's rooms are large, modern, and tastefully furnished along wildlife themes–expect a tiger stripe pillow or leopard spot bedspread. The better rooms have a charming walled-in courtyard with a bonfire. Leisure activities are numerous. The grounds extend over 12 acres of lawns and gardens, and include barbeque areas. The park is 12 km (7½ miles) away.

Rooms are clean and basic, with comfy beds and air conditioning, and those on the top floor offer balconies with sea views. You can enjoy more of those views if you choose to dine at the well-regarded rooftop restaurant or get a drink at the lounge on the terrace.

Once the royal guesthouse, where the maharaja of Udaipur had his guests stay, gracious Shiv Niwas on Lake Pichola is another part of the City Palace complex, and still features plenty of antiques and royal memorabilia in its decor. The white stone pool and the gardens add to the magical ambience. Half its accommodations are in the better-maintained suites, but even the regular palace rooms are chic and large with a sitting area and a desk. Some rooms are dated and could benefit from a renovation, so ask to see a couple of options.

Overlooking the sea about 2 km (1 mile) outside of Port Blair—don't miss the spectacular sunsets—this hotel features great views, spacious rooms and oversized bathrooms, as well as a nice pool and spa area. Though most rooms do have a view out to the bay, be sure to request a sea-view room with a balcony on a higher floor for an even more panoramic vista. One unusual feature: you'll find a World War II–era Japanese bunker inside the hotel.

One of Thekkady's finest resorts, Spice Village has well-maintained thatch-roof cottages that are built into a hillside with lush plantings, including a spice garden that adds fragrance and privacy. Room interiors have knotty pine furniture and trim, white walls, red-tile floors, and hand-loomed upholstery and bedspreads. There are two restaurants and a bar, and the resort organizes jungle treks, paper-making lessons, and Indian cooking classes. The property is also eco-friendly, running partially on solar energy and recycling all its waste within the premises.

Like a mirage in the desert, this contemporary, elegant fort-style hotel rises out of the sand, luring you to its ramparts. The interior is equally impressive: built in old-world style and constructed and carved breathtakingly from yellow sandstone, it features high ceilings, sweeping marble floors, arches, antiques, enormous courtyards, reflection pools, and spacious, richly furnished rooms. Located on the road going out to the Sam dunes, Suryagarh is isolated from Jaisalmer. Given that you are marooned in the Thar, many an amenity has been provided for—billiards, gym, pool, spa, a bar, and several restaurants. The staff also organizes a wide variety of excursions.

The old meets the new at Taj City Centre, where the decor—terracotta walls, dancing dolls, and exquisitely woven carpets—upholds local artistic traditions. The rooms are spacious and the location is near high-end shopping destinations. The onsite spa offers ayurvedic treatments.

Beside tranquil Benaulim Beach, well away from the mass-tourist clutter of Colva, is one of the most attractive places to stay in South Goa---and where the staff is kind and the rooms are spacious, too. You can opt for a villa with an outdoor private pool or one with a hot tub overlooking the Arabian Sea; all have shady verandas looking out onto the golf course and sea. The lobby has gleaming marble floors and spotless white sofas. The spa offers ayurvedic treatments as well as Western massage therapies. In addition to a fine-dining Goan restaurant and a more casual all-day restaurant with an Italian bent, there's a lobster shack just above the beach.

Part of the haughty City Palace complex, this 19th-century retreat on the eastern bank of Lake Pichola is run by the Taj group and oozes stateliness and history—royal portraits, antiques, chandeliers, ornate ceilings, and an abundance of crinkled-edged arches set the tone. Rooms and suites are spacious, with marble floors, furnished with silks and period furniture; some have window seats (one has a swing as well) and great views. The dining opportunities of this hotel are equally memorable—you can opt for lake-view breakfasts, a sunset terrace tea, or a poolside dinner.

Previously known as Taj Gateway, this hotel has modern rooms done in soft colors with brass-accented furniture and eclectic Indian art. The upper-story rooms are cozy and quiet, with great garden views. Dine at the specialty Varuna restaurant for a posh Indian meal, or at Chowk for continental flavors.

Housed in charming Goan village–style cottages and villas that face lush gardens or the broad expanse of Sinquerim Beach, all guest rooms at this Taj resort include private terraces, luxurious bedding, marble bathrooms, and flat-screen TVs. The freeform pool affords both views of and access to the beach, and it's adjacent to the children's program facility. The three full-service restaurants specialize in Thai, Goan, and continental cuisine. Myriad recreational activities are offered for adults and children, and a world-class spa has ayurvedic treatments, yoga, and therapeutic massage in a serene setting.

The brightly colored villas and cottages at this tranquil resort set among rubber trees have broad verandas overlooking a small lagoon where guests can canoe or pedal-boat. A few of the cottages offer views of Vembanad Lake. The main building here is a former 19th-century plantation house built by the son of an English missionary. There are two restaurants, a bar, and an outdoor swimming pool, as well as daily houseboat trips.

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.

Nestled in the Aravali hills, this haven offers secluded villa accommodations, spa treatments, and a chance to interact with the community. Dotted over 7-acres, 14 traditional-style domed villas have large bathrooms, walk-in closets, and high levels of privacy and relaxation; most have a private pool. Spa treatments are customized to suit each guest. Some of the fresh produce used in the hotel is from its attached organic garden, which you can visit. The resort supports a local school and guests are encouraged to interact with villagers—and even volunteer to teach the children if they wish.

While a stay at Trident—built to look like a rambling haveli 9 km (5 miles) from the center of town—does not offer the authentic royal experience, it does make for an interlude of gracious living. The property looks out onto the Mansagar lake and its exteriors are of light pink stone. Interiors feature the finest Rajasthani marble, with rooms furnished in soothing colors; opt for a lake-facing room.

Built around a large garden courtyard with fountains, a soothing expanse of green lawn, and a pool, this place is a real oasis in Agra. The spacious rooms are in soft browns, with wooden flooring, coffeemakers, and views of the gardens or the pool. The lobby is, perhaps, the most inviting part of the hotel: bright yellow chairs, dark-wood accents, and modern chandeliers made of glass tubes are infused with sunlight. There's live Indian classical music, folk dancers, and a henna artist by the pool every evening.

A more moderately priced option among Udaipur's luxury hotels, the Trident is removed from the downtown bustle, amid acres of beautiful gardens on Lake Pichola. The architecture is striking, but the lobby, decorated in white marble arches lacks grandeur. Rooms, done mainly in white, facing the garden or pool, are well equipped and modern, though nondescript. The restaurant serves Indian and continental dishes (buffet and à la carte) at lunch and dinner.

This chain property is more business-oriented than the average Panaji hotel, with the added oomph of high-tech features such as surround-sound home-theater systems, multimedia panels, and LCD screens in all rooms. The aesthetically pleasing rooms are styled in contemporary fashion, and the top-notch facilities are kept in great repair.

A pair of outdoor pools (one carved into the hillside with views across the Arabian Sea), along with contemporary Indian artworks and well-groomed grounds make this beachfront resort a joy at every turn. Rooms and suites come in various categories—all have wonderful outdoor spaces (either a balcony or garden patio), and most offer a nightly turndown service. Extend the experience by heading to the cavernous spa center for a massage or the Vagator beach-facing bar for live DJ beats and drinks.