253 Best Hotels in India

This hotel is the former home of the late Sir Robert Bristow, the architect of the modern port of Kochi, and it is one of the only Kochi hotels that opens out onto a beach. Some rooms look out to the Arabian Sea, while others have a view over the garden and swimming pool. Rooms are large (though in need of maintenance). Pool-side villas and ocean-view suites are attractive.

Scoring high on location and heritage, this 300-year-old rambling haveli with an opulent feel is close to the clock tower in Old Jodhpur and has views of Mehrangarh Fort. The spacious rooms—most of which overlook courtyards or verandas with fountains—are decorated in traditional designs and packed with modern amenities. The public spaces have some very unusual antiques on display. The rooftop restaurant, also the spot where breakfast is served, is one of the best in the city for views, though the food is just OK.

Set on 40 acres of grounds and featuring activities such as tennis and billiards, this family-run heritage hotel built in 1893 is a sophisticated and hospitable getaway with something of the feel of a regal hunting lodge. Rooms are large and beautifully decorated; suites, which each have their own special color scheme, are majestic. Besides once being the summer residence of the Maharaja Ganga Singhji, the maharaja of Bikaner, this building was for decades the center of Mount Abu's aristocratic social life. There's an elegant restaurant serving Indian, Rajasthani, Gujarati, and continental cuisine.

In this century-old building on Assi Ghat, rooms are styled after Indian states—Gujarat (brightly colored drapes studded with mirror work), Rajasthan (elaborately carved doors and furnishings), and Assam (lots of bamboo). All delivering modern comforts, rooms at the front have a great view of the ghat, while others are quieter. The long, airy lobby is a great place to relax with tea, while the multi-cuisine rooftop restaurant has live classical music in the evenings (not during summer) and a good view of the Ganges.

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.

The location, good service, lively nightlife, and trippy interiors have made this into one of the busiest hotels in Kolkata. The hotel's restaurants, nightclub, and pub draws a steady crowd and the lobby sparkles with mirrors and cut-glass chandeliers amid rich wood and marble.

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.

Perfect for foodies, wildlife enthusiasts, and those who like to engage with locals, this cozy homestay in the upscale C-Scheme residential area is run by an energetic young couple, the Rathores—one a naturalist who runs wildlife tours, the other a food enthusiast who offers cooking and rangoli (a form of folk art) classes. Rooms are simple and modern but comfortable and very clean, with coordinated color schemes and large bathrooms; the upstairs rooms have a rooftop patio. Apart from the four rooms, the homestay also offers a cottage with private courtyard. Outside there's a lush garden with a swing. A simple but enriching continental or Indian breakfast is included, and dinner is an option that's well worth taking up. The homestay is a little hard to locate, so call for directions before arriving.

This eye-catching edifice in a delicate pink stone on a low hill is one of the first landmarks visible as you enter the outskirts of Pushkar town coming from Jaipur. Inside, vast expanses of marble and white gives a sensation of immense space and grandeur, and the stylish and modern rooms have a touch of Rajasthani flair and most have a swing (!) and balcony. The royal looking accommodations are large, though the complex is relatively new and is run by the Taj Group and focuses on service.

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.

Designed like a Rajbaari, or sprawling homes of the Bengali Zamindars (landlords) of the past, Raajkutir has comfortable, spacious rooms with dark wooden furniture and marble floors. The property hosts pottery lessons headed by local artisans, traditional evening rituals at the courtyard, and walking tours through the premises. The on-site dining options, like the East India Room, are excellent.

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.

This is one of the few modern chain hotels in the city, where most of the rooms come with a view of the backwaters. Its popular multi-cuisine restaurant, World in the Pot, overlooks the pool; there's also a Chinese restaurant, Venice, that serves interesting cocktails. The hotel has its own houseboat and organizes a two-hour lunch cruise for an extra fee.

This hotel stands close to popular sights like Ramnagar Fort and the PT Deen Dayal Upadhyay railway station, but about 8 km (5 miles) away from the ghats---which makes it the ideal base if you want to cover the city beyond the Ganges. The offerings are modest but fulfilling, with a pool, a multi-cuisine restaurant called Masala Root, and Jacuzzis in the suites.

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.

This is one of the most comfortable mid-price places on the Ranthambhore Road, 10 km (6 miles) from the park, in an elegant heritage-style building. A long line of rooms is set against a rectangular courtyard with a pool, and a restaurant serves buffet meals (all are included in rates), and staff will arrange safaris for guests, including sending you off with a packed lunch. There's also a barbecue outside and bar area where travelers congregate at night for ice-cold beer. The rooms are spotless and large, with bright Rajasthani furnishings.

One of the first swanky, world-class riverside and backwater resorts in the Calicut area (though a fair drive outside of town), Kadavu signaled Malabar's foray into tourism. You enter the lobby under a traditional mandapam, a wood-frame canopy supported by pillars. The courtyard opens onto an enormous swimming pool, from which steps descend to riverfront cottages. These cost extra but are worth your while—they have balconies screened by coconut palms. Rooms in the main building are large and have bay windows and are very classily furnished, with plenty of wood highlights and silk furnishings.

A great place to experience the lifestyle of Rajput nobility, this 17th-century desert fortress 40 km (25 miles) south of Jodhpur is both a heritage hotel and the home of its Rajput family, whose members are your hosts. The public rooms are decked out in original paintings, family photographs, and weapons, while guest rooms have traditional carved furniture and colorful hand-blocked prints, and some even have swings. Horseback safaris (Rs. 2,500 for about two hours) are a specialty, as there are plenty of bird species and other animals nearby—keep an eye out for the peacocks strutting on the hotel lawn. Trips can be organized to Bishnoi (tribal villages) and cooking classes are also available.

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.

Set in a lush garden, this cliff-side resort offers modest rooms, most featuring spectacular views of the Arabian Sea, and is within walking distance to Varkala Beach and the cliff above it, where a variety of seafood stalls pop up during high season. The bright rooms with wood furnishings and private balconies have 24-hour room service. There are two multicuisine restaurants, an ayurvedic spa, and a terrace with sea views.

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.

For those looking to save money but still get a glimpse of the shimmering waters off Marine Drive, consider this classic hotel, whose main virtue is that it's a remarkable bargain relative to its location, halfway between heavyweights like the Oberoi and the InterContinental. Narrow hallways lead to surprisingly large rooms—plenty of space for extra beds (Rs. 300)—with window air conditioners and clean but basic furnishings; all but one have a small balcony and a few enjoy splendid views of Mumbai's famous sea promenade. Bathrooms have only open showers, no tubs. Room service offers beverages and simple breakfasts only. Don't mistake this hotel for its next-door twin, the Sea Green South, where rooms are slightly less hospitable.

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.

Set in Chinnakanal, in lush green surroundings away from the commotion of Munnar, this fairly ordinary hotel offers rooms that capture the country-lodge feeling quite perfectly. The split-level deluxe rooms feature sitting areas with wood floors, comfortable couches, and working fireplaces, while their balconies offer panoramic views of the Anayirankal Dam. There's a pool and gym as well.

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.

More than 500 years old, this budget and mildly eccentric hotel is located at the highest point of the Old City, just below the fort, and has a great vibe—traditional, local, and chilled out. The haveli lodging has basic accommodations yet opulent decorations, sprawled across many levels, with each room having a distinct look. The highest rooms, which are spartan, open out onto a terrace and have wonderful vistas of the Blue City; other rooms open onto a second-floor sitting area or into the courtyard. The house was gifted by the maharaja of Jodhpur to his army commander Shri Akheraj Sa Singhvi in 1778.

For the old-world charm of an aristocratic family home, stay at this elegant Portuguese villa on the south bank of the Chapora River, now converted into an all-suites boutique hotel. Bought in 1996 and beautifully restored, this old mansion has huge airy bedrooms impeccably furnished with antiques, and spacious bathrooms, ornately decorated common areas, and a lovely courtyard at its center. A new bridge across the Chapora makes it easy to get to the beaches north of the river in Pernem, as long as you have a car or bicycle—it's about 6 to 7 km (4 miles) from Siolim House to the Pernem beaches.