Best Luxury Hotels in India

Enabling guests to escape from the – at times – frenetic pace of the city, The Lodhi is surrounded by seven acres of sanctuary like grounds. Its proximity to the Lodhi Gardens and Delhi Golf Club adds to this sense of removal from the areas of heavily concentrated population. Yet many attractions lie within a short walk or drive. The Lodhi’s entrance is flanked by large carved elephants and its exterior clad with smooth golden stone. A great place to relax, the property has a spa, a long heated pool, yoga and pilates classes, sports courts and a hammam. There are two restaurants and some rooms come with private plunge pools.

Set beside Arossim Beach in an unspoilt area, this resort stretches across 45 acres of land. Pretty terracotta tiled roofs, wooden balconies and palm trees evoke an east meets west feel. The buildings are joined by lagoons and waterways with mini waterfalls and lush flora. Each of the 252 rooms has their own outdoor space, some with secret gardens and outdoor showers. Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa includes a yoga and meditation space along with treatment rooms. And there are six dining options, including a seaside charcoal grill and an alfresco open kitchen. Children have their own play zone and there’s a host of activities, as well as one of the largest freeform pools (with waterslides) in the country.

With a timeless feel and distinctive architecture (think pillars, colonnades and arches), the ITC celebrates Bengali rich culture alongside the latest technology. It houses 456 bedrooms and suites, each with iPads to control in-room features and the ‘infotainment’ and some come with butler service. Those staying for an extended period can opt for a self-catering residence, with sitting and dining areas. Kaya Kalp is the ITC’s well-being centre, specialising in Ayurvedic therapies. And there are five sumptuous places to eat; a vegetarian restaurant, an Italian kitchen, an international buffet, The Brass Room tapas bar and the Darjeeling tea lounge.

The nearby palaces and traditional Mewari architecture served as the inspiration for Nimish Patel, as she designed this grand lakeside property from scratch. It spans 50 acres teeming with birdlife, featuring pastel-coloured and gilt domed pavilions housing 87 rooms, a spa and several restaurants. The decor provides an old-world elegance, while staff offer an attentive first-class service with personalised and lavish attention to detail. Dine alfresco by candlelight beside a lily pond, relax next to your private plunge pool beneath a mustard-hue fringed parasol, book some Ayurvedic treatments, take a yoga class and spend some time reading in the library.

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.

This lush five-star resort extends to the water’s edge at Bambolim Bay. It has 313 rooms, all with furnished balconies (suites have their own whirlpool too). Dark wood, tiled floors and crisp white bedding create a sophisticated and contemporary Goan aesthetic, along with marble bathrooms. Learn to make the hotel’s signature Italian dishes at The Verandah restaurant’s cookery classes, or eat in one of the other dining concepts: The Dining Room (with five live kitchens), Chulha Indian eatery, the Confeitaria Coffee Bar or a pool grill. Drinks and snacks can be enjoyed at Bay View Lounge, with cocktails and late-night music at Capiz Bar.

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.