Top 10 Hotels in India

1) Oberoi Rajvilas (Jaipur)

Located in “The Pink City”, the Oberoi Rajvilas is ranked the third best in Asia and the eighth best hotel in the world.  This palace hotel is known for its variety in accommodation which range from luxury rooms and tents to villas, all with four-poster beds and teak floors.  With its Edwardian claw-foot tubs and embroidered interior canopies, it is a perfect mixture of an ancient Rajasthani fort with comtemporary Italian designs.  All this is set in 32 acres of ground about 5 miles outside Jaipur. 

2) Taj Mahal Palace & Tower (Mumbai)

This five-star hotel is part of the Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces. The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower is considered the most prestigious one in the group. Situated next to the Gateway of India, this 565 room luxury complex consists of vaulted alabaster ceilings, crystal chandeliers, silk carpets, archways, onyx columns and a cantilever stairway. The hotel’s dining options are like a cherry on top of the already magnificent ice-cream. They include some of the best restaurants in the country: The Middle Eastern Souk, Morimoto’s Wasabi and the Zodiac Grill, where the menu changes each month according to the astrological sign.  The Taj Mahal Palace and the Tower are actually two separate buildings, differing in their architectural style and the time at which they were built.

3) Oberoi Amarvilas (Agra)

Not much is needed to be said about a hotel that offers direct views of the Taj Mahal for practically every window and even some bathrooms.  Based on Moorish and Mughal architecture, this lavish property features fountains, reflection pools, terraced lawns and pavilions with spectacular interiors.  The rooms itself are decorated in rich shades of purple, oranges and yellows and the marble bathrooms with their grand soaking tubs are regal.

4) Taj Lake Palace (Udaipur)

This is the ideal place to stay at on your honeymoon, if money isn’t an issue that is.  Taj Lake palace is not only known as the most romantic hotel in India, but also the most expensive. The most basic bedroom option would set you back Rs.36,000 which is actually nothing compared to the Grand Presidential Suite which costs a massive Rs.6 Lakh! This exotic 250 year old white marble structure is located in the middle of Lake Pichola and it gives the illusion of floating on the lake. To add to this mesmerizing setting is the interior decoration of the suites.  Bohemian crystals, ornate glass work, green lotus leaves and cusped arches overlooking medieval gardens and hilltop fortresses make this hotel stand out like no other.

5) Amanbagh Resort ( Rajasthan)

Known as one of the world’s best resorts, Amanbagh is a green paradise among the sandy plains and rocky topography of Rajasthan.  Amanbagh means “ a garden of peace” and it truly lives up to its name.  With its lovely palm and frangipani trees and vegetation, it is hard to imagine a more serene place.  This modern day ‘Mughal Palace’ used to be the former spot of the Maharajah of Alwar’s hunting lodge and personal pleasure garden. Its rooms are one of the largest in the country.

6) The Leela Palace Kempinski (Bangalore)

Known as one of the best business hotels in the country, The Leela Palace is famous for its perfect blend of business facilities and excellent accommodation.  You can expect to bump into CEO’s, especially Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Biocon’s president and India’s richest woman. The hotel is full of grand arches and gold leaf domes with an ornate ceiling which are all inspired by the royal heritage of the Vijaynagar Dynasty. 

7) The Imperial (New Delhi)

Built in 1931, The Imperial was Delhi’s first luxurious hotel.  Today, it is a legend that offers you nothing but the best.  With its high ceilings, sleek Italian marble floors and numerous modern amenities, the place has an aura of understated elegance.  All of its 233 rooms, including 43 suites overlook the lush gardens and offer plenty of privacy. If you want to experience something truly different, then ask the resident curator to give you a tour of the museum and art gallery, which is a part of the hotel. The Imperial has the largest collection of colonial and post-colonial art and artifacts.  

8) Taj Falaknuma Palace (Hyderabad)

This Palace is an architectural marvel which literally means “Like in the Sky” or “Mirror of the Sky”.  Tall beams, oak floors and Turkish rugs along with old photos of Hyderabad add a touch of history.  The Palace is a blend of Italian and Tudor architecture and has undergone a 10 year restoration by Princess Esra. This opulent hotel was initially the home of the Nizam of Hyderabad. 

9) The Oberoi Cecil (Shimla)

This hotel will offer you a view like no other. Situated at Shimla, 7000 feet up in the Himalayas, this symbol of classiness is over 100 years old. It has been resroted to its original splendor with wooden floors, period furniture, crackling fires and a warm and cozy ambience.  It also has an indoor heated swimming pool which is one of the highest in the world and offer spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains.  The interiors remind you of the days of the Raj with paneling, pillars and chandeliers. 

10) The 4 Seasons (Mumbai)

This 37 storey luxury glass tower hotel is located in Worli, the city’s financial centre.  It has 202 rooms, all of which are elegantly decorated and look straight at the Arabian Sea.  The 4 seasons also has Aer bar, which is the country’s highest rooftop bar. Like all other 5 Star Hotels, it is unparallel in its services and amenities from babysitting services to a high-end salon and spa.