Best Urban Hotels in India

Experience South Indian hospitality, indigenous culture and understated luxury with a stay at this five-star residence (sister property of the Taj Club House) in the heart of the city. Check in here and you can swim in the lagoon-style 25-metre pool, relax in a curved lounger, book a treatment at the Jiva Grande Spa and take yoga classes from esteemed local teachers. Meals can be taken in the majestic Southern Spice or the healthy buffet restaurant, Anise; order dim sum at the Chinese-themed Golden Dragon and Italian food at Prego; with flamboyant cocktails mixed at the Chipstead bar.

A luxurious hideaway from the bustling streets of Delhi, The Oberoi, New Delhi has established itself as a destination for the world’s most discerning guests from presidents to global CEOs and celebrities over the past fifty years. The Oberoi, New Delhi features 220 rooms, including 34 suites which are spacious and luxurious with an abundance of natural light. The hotel’s enviable location in the heart of New Delhi, offers striking views of the 16th century Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the 18-hole Delhi Golf Course, India’s oldest golf course’s vast greenways. Oberoi’s signature design aesthetic of height, light, water, and space can be seen throughout the hotel. Diners can sample Michelin-star cuisine at two of the hotel’s restaurants in partnership with acclaimed Chef Andrew Wong of the famed “A. Wong” Chinese two Michelin-star restaurant and Michelin-star chef, Chef Vineet Bhatia MBE, the first Indian chef to be honoured with a Michelin star. Dhilli by Chef Vineet Bhatia opened its doors earlier this year as the city’s newest culinary hotspot. Diners can explore an exquisite mix of Chef Vineet’s signature recipes and legacy cooking traditions passed on through generations. From the rich culinary heritage of Old Delhi’s pulsating lanes to Rajouri Gardens and everything in between. The rooftop bar, Cirrus9, offers specially curated beverages and panoramic views overlooking the Golf Course, perfect for sundowners in the evening and to enjoy the warm evenings. The Oberoi Pâtisserie & Delicatessen is India’s first exclusive gourmet store which offers a wide range of desserts and cakes, high-quality delicatessen items, freshly baked bread, homemade single-origin chocolates, cheeses, and condiments to eat-in or takeaway.

Receive royal standard treatment when you check into the Rambagh Palace. Indeed the building was once inhabited by a maharajah and is unashamedly grand. 78 rooms come with hand-carved mahogany furnishings, high ceilings, detailed decoration, gilt touches, modern-day conveniences and personal butlers. Public areas outstrip the footprint of rooms, meaning it always feels spacious and refined. Facilities include a picture-perfect courtyard, croquet lawn, huge spa, yoga pavilion, a putting green, two restaurants, plus an eatery in a vintage steam train carriage, and indoor and outdoor pools. Attentive staff adorn guests with garlands, invite them to candle-lighting ceremonies and offer intricate henna tattoos.

Built in 1982 in a neoclassical style, this Marriott property accommodates 218 bedrooms over five floors, including suites with butler service. The decor harks back to another era, with canopied beds, chandeliers, gilt finishes, dark wood furniture and heavy drapes. The columned, white exterior overlooks a large pool area to the rear, with a fountain, day beds, palm trees and a dining terrace. Guests can also eat in Dakshin and Dum Pukht Jolly Nabobs Restaurant and the Raj Pavilion. There’s also a Fabelle chocolate boutique cafe, the Dublin Bar and The Royal Afghan.

The Oberoi Mumbai is more than just a luxury hotel, it’s an experience in itself. From its unparalleled location along Marine Drive to its impeccable service and world-class amenities, it effortlessly sets the benchmark for hospitality in the city. Whether you’re indulging in the panoramic sea views from your suite, savouring Michelin-starred cuisine at Ziya, or unwinding with a signature Indian spa treatment, every moment feels curated to perfection. The attention to detail, warmth of service, and sheer elegance make The Oberoi Mumbai a standout choice for guests.

Standing tall in all its glory at the southern tip of the city, The Oberoi Mumbai enjoys a prime seafront location with sweeping views of the Arabian Sea. Perched along the iconic Marine Drive (also known as the Queen’s Necklace) it sits at the heart of Nariman Point, the city’s bustling business district. Just a short stroll away, you’ll find the National Centre for the Performing Arts and the historic Gateway of India, making it an ideal base for both business and leisure travellers. Beyond its convenience, the hotel offers a rare luxury in Mumbai; waking up to the soothing rhythm of waves against the shore.

Found in the Alipore district, this landmark building was designed by lauded architect Bob Fox. Rooms here are grand yet understated, created to be peaceful cocoons, with soundproofing, classic wood furnishings and the highest-quality cream and gold fabrics. There are eight venues in which to eat and drink, serving Chinese, Lebanese, Middle-Eastern, European and Italian food, as well as patisserie and grilled seafood. Recline beside the pool to the sounds of live music, peruse the priceless artworks on show, marvel at the five-storey stone and marble atrium, shop Indian handicrafts and unwind in the spa – all within the Taj Bengal.

The height of this skyscraper ensures its roof terrace — home to the funky Hype Bar with live DJs — boasts panoramic views. The Far Eastern connections of this chain are evident in touches such as staff uniform design and spa treatments. Dine with all the family any time of the day, in the Asian and continental B Café with its show kitchens and enormous breakfast buffets. Then there’s Caprese for Mediterranean food, Yataii for some of the best sushi and kaiseki dinners for miles, Ssaffron for local flavours and the Shang Palace signature Chinese restaurant.

This has often been the hotel of choice for US presidents, having hosted George W Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Excellent security and an indulgent atmosphere make it popular with the world’s glitterati (Chris Martin, Mark Zukerberg, Naomi Campbell, the Duke of Edinburgh and Justin Trudeau have all taken up residence in its suites). ITC Maurya was inspired by Buddhist stupas – its lobby is especially majestic. The artworks in the 438 bedroom property are stunning, the Kaya Kalp Spa is dreamy. The five-star hotel is also home to one of India’s top restaurants: Bukharao where guests eat with their fingers.

When you want to stay in a top class hotel that feels like a throwback to the ancient dynasties of India, the ITC Maratha is the most obvious choice. From all the options listed here, this is likely the building with most historical significance and the grandest scale. Everything about this place screams “high class luxury”, and you cannot help but to feel like a prestigious ruler when you are spending time here. If you want to be pampered and enjoy the finest available Indian hospitality, this is the right place to stay.

Found in the Alipore district, this landmark building was designed by lauded architect Bob Fox. Rooms here are grand yet understated, created to be peaceful cocoons, with soundproofing, classic wood furnishings and the highest-quality cream and gold fabrics. There are eight venues in which to eat and drink, serving Chinese, Lebanese, Middle-Eastern, European and Italian food, as well as patisserie and grilled seafood. Recline beside the pool to the sounds of live music, peruse the priceless artworks on show, marvel at the five-storey stone and marble atrium, shop Indian handicrafts and unwind in the spa – all within the Taj Bengal.

A majestic colonial-style landmark on the city’s coastline, The Leela Palace occupies 4.8 acres of shoreline. Inside are award-winning Chinese and Indian restaurants, an international buffet, elegant high-teas served in a seaview lounge, an old-world cigar bar offering cocktails and caviar and a French-inspired patisserie/chocolatier shop. A carefully curated art collection can be viewed throughout the property and the hotel has its own ensemble of musicians taking guests on a voyage of Carnatic music. 326 rooms and suites spread across 11 floors are suitably grand, as are the spa and the pool areas.

On the eastern side of the lake and a short walk from the City Palace Museum, the Taj Fateh Prakash Palace dates back to the 19th century and is itself something of a museum. It opened under its current guise on the 1st of January 2020, with 65 glamorous heritage rooms and suites. The polished hotel boasts an enviable art collection, a 1000 kilogram central crystal chandelier and the award-winning Sunset Terrace restaurant where you can catch some live music. There’s also a spa, a pool and a bar to be enjoyed onsite.