Top 5 unique, luxury boutique hotels in India
Resplendent palaces, heritage havelis, restored forts, family owned hilltop forts, former royal hunting lodges and intimate boutique hotels to house boats, jungle lodges and unique wilderness retreats, India has it all! Whether you plan on exploring the cities, or want to experience the countryside, in India you will find the stay of your choice. Here, we feature some of the few unique and luxury boutique hotels in India, which will promise you an amazing stay.
Shakti 360° Leti
Shakti 360° Leti is located in the Bageshwar district north of where our Kumaon villages are. An innovative combination of traditional building techniques and contemporary design, 360° Leti is set in a stunning mountain wilderness at 8,000 feet. It is a place where you can take time to reflect, and allow the space, peace and beautiful landscape to work their magic around you. Located high up in the Himalayas the journey to reach Shakti 360 Leti is a spectacular adventure. It is a place where you can take time to reflect, and allow the space, peace and beautiful landscape to work their magic around you.
Glenburn Tea Estate
Glenburn Tea Estate is quite simply the quintessential luxury colonial tea plantation bungalow; flowing with old-world charm, set under the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas close to Raj-era hill station of Darjeeling. With eight rooms in two historic bungalows, on a plantation in the Himalayas, the hotel takes a quantum leap into India’s colonial past. Glenburn is such a social place, and many guests come for weeks at a time. Breakfast and lunch are served on the veranda or in the gardens. Guests tend to meet before dinner for a good old-fashioned G&T before wandering in for dinner is served in the dining room. There are many short or long walks you can do in the hills and mountains around the estate, or you can opt for a short walk through the tea-fields themselves before visiting a working tea factory. Guests also have the option for a spot of fishing.
Ahilya Fort
A gorgeous property – this boutique, heritage hotel makes for a charming escape. Dining is a movable feast, either outside under the grand neem trees, on one of the terraces overlooking the river, or in the Chamber of Winds, overlooking the Narmada River. Your comfort is assured with modern baths and comfortable beds with mosquito nets, yet the traditional simplicity of this 18th century royal dwelling is preserved. For those wishing a quiet sit out, the battlements offer many spots overlooking the broad Narmada River. Each room is quite different, retaining its 18th century ornamentation with concessions made to comfortable beds and luxurious baths.
Ananda in the Himalayas
Once the residence of Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal. An opulent destination spa in the Himalayas, Ananda is an oasis of restoration, rejuvenation, and peace. This is the Himalayas as experienced by the gods. Go on a journey of self-discovery in the tranquil Himalayan foothills, and partake in Indian and International wellness regimes to bring about the union of mind, body, and soul. The Ananda Spa focuses on the traditional sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda, with personalized therapy and activities programs. Try an ancient Indian body mask with warming oils of ginger and cardamom. Meditate on the restoring effects of a rose quartz glow. Built on a mountain ridge, the guestrooms have minimalist but luxurious decor that reflect the resort’s spiritual nature. Awaken each morning to a cup of ginger honey lemon tea delivered to your room. Practice yoga on your private balcony, with a breathtaking view of the Himalayas. Ask staff to prepare a stress-relieving soak in the privacy of your room.
Sujan Jawai Camp
With a dramatic backdrop of kopjes, scrub and sandy river–beds, Sujan Jawai has been designed in a style that combines subtle opulence with abundant adventure. Bed down in one of the 10 beautifully styled white canvas tents which come complete with en suite bathrooms and a large private verandah. This is camping at its most elegant with a team of highly trained and gracious staff to look after your every need. The Spa at Jawai is a perfect spot to unwind and relax with a wide range of treatments available. Daily game drives in customised 4WD Jeeps with a driver-tracker and naturalist game drive are included with additional activities such as village visits and walks, vintage jeep rides, bird watching or meditation, yoga and massage.
Parinita Salaria
Parinita Salaria is Co-Founder of Indus Bound. Indus Bound is an award-winning, specialist boutique travel company offering bespoke, luxury private India tours and tailor-made India holidays. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Did you enjoy this article?
Receive similar content direct to your inbox.
The great thing about India is that it’s a country that has always known how to do luxury.
I haven’t stayed at any of these hotels but I’ve lived like a maharajah at some similar hotels.
Glennurn Tea Estate is the sort of colonial tea plantation that I’ve always wanted to do. Although “colonial” isn’t a very fashionable word, that era is part of our history and I’d like to sample the lifestyle and learn more about the tea industry.
My only experience of India is as a backpacker over 20 years ago which was very tough going. I’ve always said that I’d like to go back and stay somewhere decent. Any of these hotels would do!!!
Having dinner at Ahilya Fort as a moveable feast is a very nice touch. It’s a luxury that the Indian climate gives you.
Is breakfast a movable feast too? I’ve stayed at places where breakfast has been al fresco too. That’s always seemed really decadent.
I didn’t know that you get places like Sujan Jawai in India, it’s more like the luxury tented safari camp that you’d expect to find on the Masai Mara.
I always think that one of the hallmarks of a top game drive experience is that you get a specialist game tracker so that you don’t miss a thing.
Over the years I’ve enjoyed so many days of Raj books and films that I’m in desperate need of going and seeing India for myself.
One of the pleasures of Twixtmas, that lazy period between Christmas and New Year, is having the time to do some leisurely reading on where I could travel in the New Year. Lots of exciting and exotic ideas here.