We’ve picked India’s 10 breathtakingly beautiful boutique hotels for an unforgettable holiday experience. Here’s the list.
1. Shanti Morada, Goa
Nestled in the scenic village of Saligao, Shanti Morada is set in a beautiful nineteenth century majestic mansion, originally built in 1897. Carefully restored, this property is now a boutique retreat, featuring great food, luxurious accommodation and an excellent range of services in Goa’s Calangute region. The hotel boasts a large outdoor ozone-filtered swimming pool, a Jacuzzi bar and an extensive range of guest services. Guests can take Yoga sessions and enjoy traditional Indian Ayurvedic Massage sessions at the Mandala wellness area.
2. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
Seemingly tied up in the middle of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, this luxury boutique hotel emerges from the morning haze at sunrise and offers its guests beautiful sunset views in the evening. It was built in the 18th century, by Maharana Jagat Singh II. This splendid hotel offers five-star accommodation in a glorious setting. Few of the many services and activities offered by Taj Lake Palace in and around the hotel are- Indoor and outdoor dining (even on boats); Cruises around the lake; Elephant, camel and horse riding; A spa boat and vintage car drives.
3. Dusit Devarana, New Delhi
Dusit Devarana is located between the historic attractions of New Delhi and the Corporate hub of Gurgaon. This luxury boutique hotel is set in a purpose built property featuring the very latest high-tech amenities and services. Guests can enjoy the all-day service at Kiyan. For an informal yet refined dining experience, light meals and snacks are served at the Iah Bar and Lounge, which offers a unconventional range of cocktails, boutique brewery beers and new world wines along with classic malts, spirits and cigars. Guests can also enjoy the Devarana Spa, offering a range of treatments and massages. The hotel also has a fitness centre, yoga pavilion and a large temperature controlled swimming pool. The hotel offers its guests an exclusive 24-hour butler service for everything from personalised check-in, restaurant reservations, travel bookings, to box-office hints and shopping.
4. Raas Jodhpur, Jodhpur
Located in the heart of Jodhpur, this boutique hotel is a combination of the historical elements of a typical haveli and a modern wing built with the typical red sandstone. From the beautiful courtyard garden, guests will enjoy lavish views of the Mehrangarh Fort, which exposes a large swimming pool, a decorative pond, a shaded organic garden and a central dining pavilion. Raas Jodhpur hosts two exclusive restaurants, the Darikhana and the Baradiri. Darikhana serves delicious Rajasthani cuisine, while the Baradiri offers a selection of international dishes with a Thai and Mediterranean focus. Guests can also take advantage of Raas Jodhpur’s Serena Spa, which offers a wide range of massages and treatments, including Thai Yoga and Marma massages.
5. Brunton Boatyard, Kochi
Located on the waterfront of Fort Cochin, Brunton Boatyard is set in a splendidly modernised Victorian shipyard. This beautiful boutique property offers exclusive accommodation and fine Cochin cuisine in an elegant colonial-style setting, along with extravagant views of the harbour and Fort Vypin. Brunton Boatyard’s restaurant serves delicious menus based on Cochin’s eclectic cuisine, combining Portuguese, Indian, Syrian, Jewish and Dutch influences. The Terrace Grill serves freshly caught fish and seafood ,while the Armoury grill serves a fine range of cocktails and refreshments. The hotel has a picturesque outdoor pool, and guests can also enjoy a range of Ayurvedic massages on request.
6. Mayfair Darjeeling, West Bengal
Located in a calm corner of Darjeeling, Mayfair Darjeeling is situated in a beautiful heritage building. Mayfair Darjeeling offers views of the Happy Valley Tea Plantation from many of its rooms and common areas, and the hotel is within easy reach of all of Darjeeling’s most important landmarks and points of interest, such as St. Andrews Church, the Bengal Natural History Museum, or the Observatory Hill View Point. Guests can enjoy great Indian, Oriental, Thai and Continental cuisine, all served in the elegant atmosphere of the traditionally styled dining rooms. The hotel also offers a range of spa facilities, along with a games room in which you can spend time playing billiards, table tennis and board games.
7. Ganga Kutir Resort & Spa, West Bengal
Earnestly crafted by one of Sri Lanka’s leading architects, Ganga Kutir is an amalgamation of a Sri Lankan body with a Bengal soul. Ganga Kutir provides supreme hospitality in terms of accommodation, multi-cuisine food options, relaxing spa facilities, 24-hour room service, library, and perfect security arrangements, along with many other facilities. The quiet green landscape and pure air to recharge your drained urban cells makes Ganga Kutir stand out.
8. The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
Located at just six-hundred metres from the Taj Mahal, The Oberoi Amarvilas stands in splendid ornamental gardens surrounded by rich vegetation. It offers its guests beautiful views of the 7th wonder, Taj Mahal, from all its rooms. The hotel offers its guests a complimentary golf car service to the entrance of the monument. Oberoi Amarvilas has a big outdoor swimming pool, which is heated in cool weather. It also offers the guest the facilities of massages and treatments.
9. Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra, Kovalam
Located at Kolavam beach, Niraamaya Retreats Samudra offers deluxe boutique style accommodation, delicious food and friendly service. It consist of 31 heritage cottages; The accommodation at Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra is phenomenally spacious and graceful. It offers a spa centre with a range of traditional massages and treatments, along with yoga sessions.
10. Vivanta by Taj – Bekal, Bekal
Located on a beautiful bend of the Kappil river, Vivanta by Taj – Bekal is near to some of the region’s most important attractions, including the giant keyhole-shaped Bekal fort, and the famous Bekal Beach. Vivanta by Taj – Bekal offers activities like kayaking on the river, archery and cycling. Guests can take advantage of the immense riverside Jiva Grande Spa, which features Yoga tuition, Ayurveda, spiritual retreats and Indian rejuvenation therapies along with recreation and meditation spaces and a range of water treatments.