
Best Grand Hotels Hotels in India
As a long-established luxury travel publication, The Luxury Editor is known for showcasing hotels that go beyond star ratings alone and focus on what really matters to discerning travellers seeking a memorable stay in a grand hotels in India. Service, design, atmosphere, sense of place and the overall quality of the guest experience all play a part in whether a property earns its place in our curated list.
Whether you are at the early stages of planning or already comparing a shortlist, our choice of grand hotels in India is a credible and useful guide, with easy booking options too.
Let us help you make searching for the perfect place to stay more inspiring, more informed and more enjoyable.
Maharashtra, Mumbai
Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel & Residences
(5 stars)Are you looking for a conveniently located and spacious hotel that is nested in a vast area of gardens and natural landscapes? Then you want to consider the Grand Hyatt Mumbai, which is located right between the Mumbai airport and the business district – making it a typical choice for business people on the move. Despite its central location, this hotel boasts of an impressive 12 acres of surrounding greenery which provides a wonderful respite from the bustling cityscape around it.
Karnataka, Bangalore
The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore
(5 stars)Over 1000 artworks are found throughout this property, showcasing national and international artists, while the building’s exterior is punctuated by intricate latticework. 277 bedrooms come with 400-ply Frette linen, Asprey bath products, Krug coffee machines, retro Tivoli radios and a personalised welcome note from management. Indian food is served in Riwaz, with Chinese cuisine in the Lantern. The Market is an all-day dining outlet, the Lobby Lounge serves an indulgent afternoon tea and Bang is the rooftop bar. The spa is possibly the best in town and guests can enjoy a dip in the long, thin swimming pool.
Uttar Pradesh, Agra, Taj Ganj
ITC Mughal, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Agra
(5 stars)The ITC Mughal won the prestigious Aga Khan Award for its excellent representation of Mughal architecture and is a 2021 Trip Advisor Travelers Choice Hotel. The 233 bedroom hotel is a modern take on an ancient culture – with strong environmental credentials – allowing visitors to steep in local heritage while surrounded by 21st-century mod cons. It has two restaurants: Peshawri and Taj Bano, an outdoor pool, hot tub, the Kaya Kalp Royal Spa and a fitness centre. Bedrooms are traditionally styled, with garden views. Suites have Club Lounge access, while the Grand Presidential Suite comes with its own plunge pool.
Karnataka, Bangalore
JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru
(5 stars)Travelling for work? This hotel in the central business district – with views of Cubbon Park – couldn’t be more convenient. Open every day from early to late, JW Kitchen serves a la carte food and fantastic Sunday brunches. Uno is the Marriott’s Japanese restaurant; Alba serves Mediterranean dishes; Spice Terrace has a menu of Indian cuisine; the Bengaluru Baking Company is the place for coffee and a cake, and there’s The Merak Brewhouse for a pint. Guests also have access to a fitness centre, an attractive outdoor pool area and a spa.
Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram
Kaldan Samudhra Palace
(5 stars)Stretching 10 acres along the Bay of Bengal, this palatial residence is a wonderful example of Rajasthani architecture. Kaldan Samudhra translates as “an immortal place in paradise” and was opened in 2021, after several years of work by the country’s top builders, sculptors and artisans. 106 bedrooms have a regal style, reflecting a traditional aesthetic and range from deluxe twins to three-bedded villas with private pools. The grounds incorporate a long pool meandering past the hotel buildings and a private beach where you can practice sunset, as well as soak up some rays.
Maharashtra, Mumbai
The Lalit Mumbai
(5 stars)Among the many 5 start hotels available in Mumbai, the LaLit might be one of the most reasonably priced and economically competitive. Boasting a unique offering of luxury apartments with full-featured hotel service, the LaLit is a great choice for families or anyone else who wants to stay in a place that feels just like home. The available residences are very tastefully decorated in a modern style, and the wonderful ambience and high standards of this place will impress even the most demanding visitors.
Delhi NCR, New Delhi
The LaLiT New Delhi
(5 stars)Offering some of the largest bedrooms in the city – 461 in total – this suits those staying for a longer period, families, or who enjoy a little more room. It also suits those who enjoy some late-night partying – LaLiT has its own club (with live DJs playing at the weekends) Kitty Su. There are also four excellent restaurants, a spa, an in-house art gallery and an outdoor pool, with luxe loungers. A stay here places guests in the heart of the busy city, as such, it was built upwards to fit, rather than spreading outwards – its height, therefore, affords plenty of excellent views.
Rajasthan, Udaipur
The Leela Palace Udaipur
(5 stars)If you prefer a more contemporary vibe, book one of 80 soundproofed rooms here. You’ll enjoy direct lake views with the Aravalli Mountains in the background. Dine on the terrace of the main restaurant, choosing from a menu of international cuisine, with a glass of something from its walk-in wine cellar; tuck into Indian food overlooking the lake; and cosy up beside the fire as you listen to live Rajasthani folk music in the bar. The Leela Palace’s other amenities include a spa, an outdoor pool and a gym. It first opened in April 2009, part of a small luxe chain of resorts and has become especially popular with business travellers.
