Best Luxury Hotels in India

If opulent finery is what you’re after, check into The Leela Palace. The clue is in the name – it has a very regal atmosphere, with a breathtaking lobby, huge chandelier-lit public spaces with bespoke, specially commissioned artworks and rooms decorated with oil paintings, heavy drapes, silk textiles, polished dark wood floors, gilt-edged furnishings and large handwoven Persian rugs. Unashamedly five-star in atmosphere, service and facilities, The Leela Palace also features an ESPA spa, a rooftop pool and multiple restaurants serving the likes everything from sushi to pasta and exquisite Indian dishes.

With its open helipad, the ITC Gardenia allows you to arrive into the heart of the city, in movie-star style, greeted by a staff member in tails, presented a chilled glass of champagne. The building was created as a tribute to Bangalore, and pays homage to the region’s culture throughout. It was the first hotel in Asia to have a Platinum rating under LEED®, thanks to its eco-conscious approach; its vertical lawned wall proving a notable feature. Take a medicinal or spiritual journey at Kaya Kalp – The Spa. And feast on everything from kebabs to robatayaki and tapas, at the seven eateries, which include a semi-open-air, grass-roofed Lotus Pavilion.

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.

A contemporary property that’s conveniently located for access to the airport, the JW Marriott in Jaipur has 374 bedrooms with picture windows. Cribs and rollaway beds can be requested, plus there’s a minibar, satellite TV and an iPod dock in every room. The hotel’s amenities include a full-service spa, an outdoor pool and a kids’ splash pool. Its signature restaurant, Okra, has won awards for its global menu, and guests can also sample authentic Indian cuisine at Saffron, or tuck into the freshly baked delicacies for sale at the in-house Jaipur Baking Company.

Located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Ballygunge, Hyatt Centric Ballygunge Kolkata marks the brand’s dynamic debut in the City of Joy. With 93 contemporary rooms and suites, the hotel is designed as a stylish home base for modern travellers eager to immerse themselves in Kolkata’s rich artistic, culinary, and cultural scene. Guests enjoy smart in-room technology, contactless check-in, and design that blends playful textures with locally inspired touches.

Culinary highlights include Cal-On, a rooftop craft brewery with a terrace garden and mixology-led cocktails; YAYAvar, serving regional Indian dishes inspired by the country’s highways; and TESS, a Euro-Asian bistro with Thai specialities and European comfort food. For events, the hotel offers over 3,000 sq ft of flexible spaces, from the Gallery ballroom to collaborative studios and lounges. Leisure amenities include a rooftop pool, rejuvenating spa, and a fully equipped fitness centre. Ideally located near landmarks such as the Victoria Memorial, New Market and Eden Gardens, this hotel is a vibrant launchpad for discovering Kolkata.

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.

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.

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.

Found in a salubrious residential neighbourhood, historically popular with illustrious Brits, the Taj Club House is instantly recognisable by its 45000 sq.ft neon blue glass façade. This, and 220 rooms (some with butler service), were designed by Thom Catallo, creating an on-trend retreat for business, as well as leisure travellers. The Taj’s polished signature restaurant, The Club House, is complemented by its Brew cafe and the Blend cocktail bar with a pulsating vibe. Jiva Spa has a menu of rituals and treatments, inspired by local culture and you can unwind on a plush lounger beside the rooftop pool.

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.

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.

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.