Spiritual North India

Overview

On a 100-acre princely estate in the forested Himalayan foothills overlooking Rishikesh, the Ananda is an award-winning spa retreat, and perhaps India’s finest wellness escape.

The royal palace has been restored in a way that is common throughout the Ananda – a simple combination of the traditional and the best of the new.

78 rooms, suites and villas are classically elegant, with hints of colonial hill station architecture to make the most of the surroundings, and offer panoramic views of the valley or palace from private balconies and exquisite bathrooms. Four suites enjoy their own private gardens and the three luxury villas have their own pool.

Traditional Ayurveda, yoga and Vedanta techniques compliment international wellness experiences and healthy organic cuisine to restore and harmonise. There are personalised programmes to meet individual needs and goals – de-stressing, detoxification and cleansing, relaxation, anti-ageing and weight loss – while also offering guidance in the areas of nutrition and fitness.

Wellness continues into the cuisine, with fresh natural foods and special care menus offered in consultation with the in-house Ayurvedic doctor. These can be enjoyed at the top deck restaurant, tea lounge or private dining venues across the estate.

Away from the resort, enjoy the surroundings on nature walks or guided mountain treks, or try rafting the white waters of the Ganges. You can also head down into Rishikesh to see ancient ceremonies performed, or spot wild elephants, incredible birdlife and possibly tiger on safari in the nearby Rajaji National Park.

Overview

Planted among Dehradun’s towering sal forests in the peaceful foothills of the Himalayas, Six Senses Vana is a pioneer of India’s wellness tourism scene. Designed as an authentic sanctuary for reconnection and restoration, the retreat offers a personalised combination of soul-soothing wellness treatments drawn from Ayurveda, Tibetan Medicine, yoga and modern science to rebalance body and mind.

Each stay begins with an in-depth consultation which sets out your transformative journey. World-leading practitioners deliver calming therapies according to your individual needs, and exceptional service throughout guarantees a seamless stay. You’ll even have guidance on what to eat, although far from restrictive, the full-board dining options encompass a sumptuous spectrum of flavours and both Indian and internationally inspired delicacies, all seasonal and locally sourced.

The 86 rooms are spacious, and all come with balconies or terraces. Soothingly minimalist architecture creates a calming atmosphere throughout the resort, complemented by light woods, neutral tones, and window-lined walls which draw in the beauty of your natural surroundings. 

Sustainability here is as integral as the wellness – almost everything you’ll eat, from bread to cheese and butter, is made in house form local ingredients, 80% of the estate is undeveloped, remaining a natural habitat for wildlife, and an on-site bottling plant eliminates the need for single-use plastic throughout the resort.

While a wealth of activities are offered within the resort, including yoga, sports, walking trails, cinema screenings and cooking classes, although no stay would be complete without a trip to nearby Rishikesh for an unmissable arti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges.

Overview

Just 4km from the famous Golden Temple, the Hyatt Amritsar is a contemporary hotel that offers guests the very best in comfort and luxury.

Elegant rooms feature sleek, modern design and the ten suites are located on the top floors, offering panoramic views. When it comes to dining, you are spoilt for choice with two restaurants offering everything from Italian, Thai and Chinese to traditional Punjabi cuisine.

The lounge bar serves a decadent afternoon tea during the day as well as a selection of cocktails and fine wines, perfect for winding down after a day of sightseeing.

The hotel features a fitness centre and spa for those moments when you simply want to unwind, as well as an outdoor pool whose refreshing waters are perfect for cooling off in under the heat of the Indian sun.

Overview

Be welcomed by the Punjab’s famously warm hospitality at this luxury hotel in heart of Amritsar.

Decidedly modern with the occasional nod to local culture and traditions, 157 spacious rooms have state-of-the-art amenities and are flooded with natural light from floor to ceiling windows.

Dining options at the Taj Swarna include The Grand Trunk Road, an all day restaurant with Indian and international cuisine and The Chinese Room, as well as chic lounge bar, The Peg.

There’s also a modern fitness centre, expansive Jiva Spa and a swimming pool to relax at after a day exploring the city.

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

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.