Classic India

Overview

A driveway lined with tall palm trees leads to the grand white facade of The Imperial, one of Delhi’s most iconic hotels. Harking back to the days of the Raj, The Imperial is filled with old-world charm, its fascinating history a permanent presence.

The opulence of colonial India is felt from the moment you enter; the high ceilings, crystal chandeliers and artwork from the 18th and 19th centuries giving a sense of grandeur. Rooms are beautifully styled with antique furniture, marble floors covered in Indian rugs, and photographs of iconic Indian landmarks and events on the walls.

When the hotel opened its doors in the 30s, it became a meeting point for figures including Nehru, Ghandi, Jinnah and Lord Mountbatton who came to discuss the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. Photographs of the various battalions during the British Raj adorn the walls and the 1911 Restaurant is a celebration of the year Delhi became the new capital of India.

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to eating and drinking, with four restaurants offering south east Asian, gourmet Indian and European cuisine. There is also a pastry shop and a tea lounge with a glass domed ceiling and tinkling fountain and the hotel’s two bars are some of the city’s most popular.

An outdoor swimming pool is set within the verdant gardens of the hotel and there is a spa offering Ayurvedic therapies for when you want to simply drift away. Once you’ve recharged your batteries, head out and explore Delhi – you’re ideally located on Janpath, just moments from the renowned shopping district of Connaught Place and a short rickshaw ride from India Gate.

Overview

A modern and opulent hotel in the heart of Delhi’s diplomatic enclave, The Leela Palace New Delhi is sumptuous option that fuses traditional and modern Indian styles with European touches for an eclectic spectacle.

There are 254 rooms and suites, all large and handsomely furnished with Regency-style furniture and Indian miniatures adorning the walls. Bathrooms too are spacious with stand-alone baths and walk in showers.

The rest of the hotel is decorated with a curated collection of modern art, bouquets of fresh flowers – 14,000 blooms are delivered daily. Service is attentive, all rooms have access to a butler service and the lobby concierge desk can organise hotel cars (Rolls Royce Phantom and BMW 7 series), taxis and guides including personal shoppers.

Up on the roof is a spectacular temperature-controlled pool and there is also a spacious ESPA spa. Dining is varied, from sushi at Megu to Italian fine dining at Le Cirque, north Indian specialities at Jamavar, global cuisine at Qube and cocktails with finger food in the Library Bar’s sunked walled garden.

Overview

Set among beautiful gardens, mango orchards and marigold and jasmine fields is Nadesar Palace, a 19th-century colonial palace and once a guest house for the officials of the East India Company. With just ten rooms, the hotel is grand yet intimate and is a real oasis of calm.

The hotel is dedicated to and named after the Goddess Nadesari, and there is a shrine to the deity in front of the building. Inside, the walls are adorned with works of art from the Maharaja’s personal collection while the rooms are filled with antique furniture and decorated in the same hues as the flowers that are offered to the holy Ganges.

A lap pool is set within perfectly manicured gardens and for those looking for ultimate relaxation, the spa offers a range of treatments inspired by India’s ancient healing techniques. Once you’ve built your energy reserves back up, take to the mini four-hole golf course.

One of the joys of travelling to India is sampling the food. The restaurant, which harks back to the bygone era of the Raj, serves traditional Indian cuisine alongside more international dishes. Private dining experiences are available to make your stay extra special, including a poolside Indian barbecue that is cooked in front of you while you enjoy the mesmerising music of sitar and tabla players.

Overview

Set on the banks of the holy River Ganges on one of Varanasi’s 87 ghats is Brijrama Palace, an opulent hotel that is perfect for those that want to be close to the heart and soul of this deeply spiritual city.

Built in the 18th century by the Royal House of Nagpur, the palace has been lovingly restored. Murals, hand-painted ceilings and beautiful carvings revealed during the restoration have brought it back to life, ensuring the building is in keeping with this most atmospheric of cities.

The hotel is approached by boat, immediately giving you the sense you are entering somewhere special. The central courtyard is filled with plants and sculptures and surrounded by a series of ornate pillars and arches cut from sandstone. Barnasi silk and gold leaf is used throughout the hotel and rooms are furnished with wooden four poster beds and beautiful Indian fabrics.

You’re ideally situated to explore the city, a stone’s throw from Dasashwamedh Ghat where the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony takes place. As people flock with their offerings, the river becomes a blanket of twinkling lights with oil lamps and flowers carried along the water.

The restaurant serves delicious vegetarian cuisine while tea, freshly ground coffee and traditional thandai can be enjoyed outdoors. In the evening there is live classical music in the lounge.

There are few places on earth quite like Varanasi, so make sure you set aside some time to head to the rooftop and soak up its incredible and unique atmosphere.

Overview

Enjoy watching the colours of the marble change throughout the day, from its rosy glow in the morning light to the golden tint as the sun begins to set.

The hotel is approached via a driveway, lined with trees and lit with flaming torches at night. As you enter, step inside a Mughal-style quadrant with an arched passageway decorated with gold leaf frescoes, and cascading fountains.

Hallways leading to the rooms and suites are lined with wooden blinds with hand-printed golf motifs, the walls adorned with Mughal coins and antique Indian fabrics. The rooms themselves are full of old-world charm with hand woven rugs and intricately decorated wooden furniture. Each one offers uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal with some of the suites featuring bathtubs that look out over the monument.

The Esphahan restaurant specialises in Indian food with traditional curries and fluffy breads served on burnished metal plates. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee under the gold domed ceiling of the lounge or enjoy a drink and a game of backgammon in the bar.

The spa is centred around a domed marble steam room and offers a range of treatments inspired by ancient Indian rituals. There is also a fully-equipped gym that looks out over the hotel’s pristine gardens and an outdoor pool, which is partly covered so you can take refuge in the shade.

Overview

Just 3km (1.9 miles) from the centre of Agra and closer still to the iconic Taj Mahal, the ITC Mughal is an award-winning modern take on Mughal architecture set across 35 acres of lush gardens. 233 modern rooms and expansive suites overlook the landscaped lawns and sparkling lake waters.

Guests at the ITC Mughal are spoilt for choice when it comes to cuisine with fine dining at Taj Bano, authentic northwest Indian food at Peshawri and the more informal setting of the Mughal Pavilion.

A real highlight of the ITC Mughal is its Kaya Kalp spa, a vast complex dedicated to revitalising the mind, body and soul with luxuriously appointed spa suites, royal baths and a Mughal hammam.

As well as exploring the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and other remnants from the Mughal Empire, there’s plenty to keep guests busy at the hotel with tennis, badminton, a nature trail and recreational lounge.

Overview

Located well away from bustling Jaipur, The Oberoi Rajvilas is a sprawling fort-like retreat with some 32 acres of incredible gardens full of verdant trees, fragrant flowers and strutting peacocks.

Revived local techniques were used to recreate vernacular pink lime walls, grand Mughal arches, gold leaf frescoes, high domed ceilings and magnificent crystal chandeliers, giving the whole place an unmistakably palatial feel.

There are 71 rooms, luxury tents and private villas spread around the resort, many laid out in small clusters ideal for families or small groups wishing to stay near one another.

A serene 18th-century Shiva temple hosts Hindu blessings, meditation and morning yoga classes and a mansion of similar vintage is now the indulgent Oberoi Spa. The resort also boasts a fully-equipped fitness suite, putting green, two floodlit tennis courts, a croquet lawn and an outdoor pool.

Both restaurants have indoor and outdoor dining areas. The Surya Mahal is open throughout the year and has an extensive menu of world cuisine. Raj Mahal is open during the cooler months of October to April and serves rarely found Indian delicacies. Private dining can also be arranged.

Overview

A royal residence dating back to 1835, the splendid Rambagh Palace, within its 47 acres of grounds at the heart of the city, is one of Rajasthan’s finest heritage hotels.

Grand and intricate examples of Jaipur’s craftsmanship abound with hand-carved stone and marble latticework, fine antiques and elaborate Mughal gardens, all adding up to a thoroughly regal feel.

This carries on into the 45 spacious rooms, with their period décor and modern amenities, and is amplified by an order of magnitude in the 23 grand suites.

Enjoy an aptly royal India feast in the French-style ballroom of Suvarna Mahal, or opt for something a little more informal at the Rajput Room or with tea on the lawn. Drink among hard-won trophies at the sophisticated Polo Bar, or beside a restored locomotive at Steam.

After a day exploring Jaipur, head back to the Jiva Grande Spa for traditional and signature treatments, lounge by the pool, try your hand at croquet or perhaps learn about the Rambagh Palace’s own fascinating history with a guided tour of the grounds.

Overview

Built in 1729 as a private rural retreat for the Maharaja of Jaipur’s wife, the RAAS Rajmahal Palace has remained an opulent oasis even as the city has grown around it.

Still owned by the royal family of Jaipur, in the halcyon days of the British Raj it embodied the glamour of ‘Jaipur Life’. As the preferred private residence of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, the dashing polo player, the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Edinburgh, Jackie Kennedy and the Shah of Iran were entertained within its great walled gardens.

Today, it has been meticulously and daringly restored by designer Adil Ahmad, with grand chandeliered rooms embellished with intricate thematic wallpapers and luxurious fabrics.

With an initial 14 royal apartments, suites and palace rooms, ranging from palatial to genuinely royal – one room built specifically for Queen Elizabeth II’s state visit in 1961 – service is both personal and accomplished.

Down the marble staircase, choose to lounge around the art deco pool or treat yourself at the spa. There are three dining options; the relaxed Colonnade, vibrant 51 Shades of Pink, and formal traditional dining at The Orient Occident. The Polo Bar celebrates the talents of Jaipur’s sporting tradition and afternoon tea on the lawn is a must.

If you can bring yourself to venture outside the Rajmahal’s walls, you’ll find Jaipur’s famed forts, palaces and local markets just minutes away, and tailor made culinary, historical and photographic walking tours can be arranged.

Overview

Once the city house for the rulers of Samode, one of Rajasthan’s wealthiest towns, Samode Haveli has been converted into a luxury hotel that still has all the lavish touches of a royal residence.

Rooms and suites are scattered around a series of courtyards and gardens, each individually designed and reflecting the rich history and culture of the region. Tiled floors, antique furniture and furnishings upholstered in beautiful Indian fabric give them plenty of character. Some of the suites come with elegant arches, alcoves and pillars and the elaborate Sheesh Mahal suite is covered in floor-to-ceiling mosaics.

The wonderfully elaborate dining room is covered in hand-painted murals and lit by huge crystal chandeliers. Guests can also indulge in a decadent afternoon tea in the verandah lounge or enjoy a cocktail under the shade of the poolside cabanas.

Choose to relax in the Jacuzzi, steam room and spa or simply relax take a seat in the verdant gardens. You’re also ideally situated to explore the vibrant city of Jaipur with its myriad of architectural wonders and bustling markets.

Overview

On the banks of Lake Pichola across the waters from Udaipur, The Oberoi Udaivilas stands surrounded by lush gardens and the forests of what were once royal hunting grounds.

The hotel itself is a sprawling palace of ornate domes, breezy courtyards and sunlit corridors – an architectural reflection of Udaipur’s lakes and canals – with glimpses out to Pichola and verdant grounds.

There are 86 rooms and suites, many of which open out onto azure private and semi-private swimming pools with views across the lake to Udaipur’s City Palace, while others look into the estate’s gardens and wildlife sanctuary – home to deer and wild boar. The style is a blend of ornate Mewar with subtle modern amenities. In addition to private pools, the suites feature their own outdoor dining pavilions.

During your time here, explore Udaipur and beyond on private boat and walking tours, venture out into the Aravalli Hills to visit remote tribes and hidden temples, or relax with indulgent spa therapies and yoga sessions.

Suryamahal and Chandni are all-day indoor and outdoor dining venues for multicultural cuisine, with Udaimahal the place for fine Indian dining. Unique dining experiences, such as learning to cook with the chef, lunching while cruising on the lake and intimate private dinners can also be arranged. And naturally the bar is an elegant venue for classic cocktails.

Overview

Built as a pleasure palace by a young prince in 1746, it has since been tactfully restored to its former glory, its fine white marble walls glowing orange at sunrise and purple at dusk

66 rooms and 17 suites are designed to capture a different mood and period from the palace’s long history, each with stunning views across the lake to the surrounding hills and Udaipur or into the lush courtyard gardens.

This spectacular setting is best enjoyed in its panoramic glory from the rooftop Bhairo restaurant. Neel Kamal is the place for authentic Indian specialities, or Jarokha if you’re after a more informal spot to eat throughout the day. Unforgettable private dining experiences – such as out on the lake aboard a 150-year-old boat – can also be arranged.

During the day, find secluded spots around the palace to relax, bathe in the swimming pool, treat yourself on the Jiva Spa Boat or spend some time at handsome Amrit Sagar bar. Across the lake’s waters, explore Udaipur on city tours, heritage walks and even hire a vintage car for the day.

Overview

The Leela Palace Udaipur is a spectacular modern incarnation of a Mewari palace, reached by an ever-so-romantic boat cruise. But, as grand as the building is, it is the views over the waters of Lake Pichola to the City Palace and the Aravalli mountains beyond that steal the show.

All 72 rooms and 8 suites make the most of the lakeward vista. Each are embellished with traditional elements of Rajasthan design and a roster of contemporary luxuries.

Around the grounds you’ll find a huge lakeside swimming pool, ornate courtyards and a fabulous spa. Dining in the city has been taken up a notch by the fine Indian fare on offer at Sheesh Mahal and intricate international cuisine at The Dining Room. There’s also a well-stocked wine cellar and bar.

Activities on offer from The Leela Palace include heritage walks of nearby architectural gems, lake cruises, horse and camel rides, tours to rural villages outside Udaipur, antique shopping and more.

Overview

Situated in the heart of the countryside, a little way north of Udaipur, RAAS Devigarh is a romantic hill-top palace that has been sensitively transformed into a luxurious boutique retreat.

The dramatic rural setting and ornate 250-year-old architecture have been allowed to take centre stage as interiors were renovated in a minimalist style, a unique blend of traditional Indian craftsmanship and subtle modern touches.

There are 39 suites, all large and light with mother-of-pearl headboards and marble-based beds. Some have balconies and window seats – perfect nooks to spend a little time with a book from the library – and others with particularly impressive bathrooms and private sun decks.

Start your days here with a rooftop yoga session as the sun rises over the Aravalli Hills before a day out exploring the surrounding countryside by horse, mountain bike or on foot. There are also excursions to nearby villages and ancient Jain temples as well as into Udaipur itself.

Return to the pampering spa, then enjoy a sunset from the bar, ending the day with wonderfully fresh Indian and international cuisine at the restaurant.