India’s most luxurious hotels – where to stay in style

By Kate Springer, CNN
Updated 3:05 PM EDT, Tue May 15, 2018
<strong>Ananda in the Himalayas: </strong>Stretching across the 100-acre Maharaja Palace Estate, Ananda in the Himalayas overlooks peaceful forests and the Ganges valley.
Ananda in the Himalayas: Stretching across the 100-acre Maharaja Palace Estate, Ananda in the Himalayas overlooks peaceful forests and the Ganges valley.
From Ananda in the Himalayas
<strong>Ramathra Fort: </strong>White marble, stone latticework, parapets and sprawling ramparts, Ramathra Fort oozes history.
Ramathra Fort: White marble, stone latticework, parapets and sprawling ramparts, Ramathra Fort oozes history.
courtesy Ramathra Fort
<strong>Chamba Camp, Thiksey: </strong>One of several beautiful nomadic tented camps run by The Ultimate Travelling Camp, Chamba Camp is located in the far north of India.
Chamba Camp, Thiksey: One of several beautiful nomadic tented camps run by The Ultimate Travelling Camp, Chamba Camp is located in the far north of India.
From The Ultimate Travelling Camp
<strong>Chamba Camp, Thiksey: </strong>Spacious and elegant, the tents overlook the dramatic valleys and craggy mountains of Ladakh -- also home to the oft-photographed Thiksey Monastery.
Chamba Camp, Thiksey: Spacious and elegant, the tents overlook the dramatic valleys and craggy mountains of Ladakh -- also home to the oft-photographed Thiksey Monastery.
From The Ultimate Travelling Camp
<strong>The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra: </strong>Just 600 meters away from the Taj Mahal, the Mughal-style resort is the place to stay in Agra.
The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra: Just 600 meters away from the Taj Mahal, the Mughal-style resort is the place to stay in Agra.
From Michelle Chaplow/Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
<strong>The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra: </strong>Every room at The Oberoi Amarvilas offers a view of the Taj Mahal.
The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra: Every room at The Oberoi Amarvilas offers a view of the Taj Mahal.
From Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
<strong>Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas </strong><strong>-- </strong><strong>An Oberoi Resort:</strong> Surrounded by nature at 8,000 feet above sea level, the grounds on which the colonial-style hotel stands on the grounds that were once the summer home of Lord Kitchener, former Commander in Chief of the Indian Army.
Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas -- An Oberoi Resort: Surrounded by nature at 8,000 feet above sea level, the grounds on which the colonial-style hotel stands on the grounds that were once the summer home of Lord Kitchener, former Commander in Chief of the Indian Army.
From Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
<strong>Shakti Himalaya: </strong>Providing a unique scattered hotel concept, Shakti Himalaya comprises several village-style accommodations throughout the Himalayas. The Shakti 360° Leti mountain-top retreat is most striking of all.
Shakti Himalaya: Providing a unique scattered hotel concept, Shakti Himalaya comprises several village-style accommodations throughout the Himalayas. The Shakti 360° Leti mountain-top retreat is most striking of all.
From Shakti 360 Leti
<strong>Alila Fort Bishangarh: </strong>Opened in 2017 in the Aravalli mountain range of northern India, the 230-year-old Alila Fort Bishangarh took nearly 10 years to renovate.
Alila Fort Bishangarh: Opened in 2017 in the Aravalli mountain range of northern India, the 230-year-old Alila Fort Bishangarh took nearly 10 years to renovate.
courtesy Alila Fort Bishangarh
<strong>Banjaar Tola: </strong>Banjaar Tola comprises 18 stylish tents across two separate campsites -- all inside the Kanha National Park.
Banjaar Tola: Banjaar Tola comprises 18 stylish tents across two separate campsites -- all inside the Kanha National Park.
courtesy Banjaar Tola, A Taj Safari Lodge
<strong>Tijara Fort-Palace: </strong>Originally built by Prince Maharaja Balwant Singh, the fort-palace was left incomplete and abandoned after the ruler's unexpected death in the mid-19th century. It wasn't until 1980s that Neemrana Hotels bought it and restored the 19th-century beauty.
Tijara Fort-Palace: Originally built by Prince Maharaja Balwant Singh, the fort-palace was left incomplete and abandoned after the ruler's unexpected death in the mid-19th century. It wasn't until 1980s that Neemrana Hotels bought it and restored the 19th-century beauty.
courtesy Neemrana/Tijara Fort-Palace
<strong>Rambagh Palace: </strong>Once a handmaid's residence then a hunting lodge and finally a royal guesthouse for the Maharajas of Jaipur, the Rambagh Palace features white marble corridors, red brick accents and the beautiful 47-acre royal gardens.
Rambagh Palace: Once a handmaid's residence then a hunting lodge and finally a royal guesthouse for the Maharajas of Jaipur, the Rambagh Palace features white marble corridors, red brick accents and the beautiful 47-acre royal gardens.
courtesy Rambagh Palace
<strong>Rawla Narlai:</strong> This hotel's 32 rooms and suites come kitted out with handmade textiles and antique furniture, ornate mirrors and white marble.
Rawla Narlai: This hotel's 32 rooms and suites come kitted out with handmade textiles and antique furniture, ornate mirrors and white marble.
courtesy Rawla Narlai
<strong>Suján JAWAI: </strong>With only nine suites and one royal suite in a vast peaceful landscape, Sujan JAWAI provides an enthralling jaunt in rural Rajasthan.
Suján JAWAI: With only nine suites and one royal suite in a vast peaceful landscape, Sujan JAWAI provides an enthralling jaunt in rural Rajasthan.
courtesy SUJAN
<strong>Suján JAWAI: </strong>"You get to see leopards in a beautiful environment. It's the closest thing to an African safari in Asia," Remote Lands co-founder Jay Tindall tells CNN Travel.
Suján JAWAI: "You get to see leopards in a beautiful environment. It's the closest thing to an African safari in Asia," Remote Lands co-founder Jay Tindall tells CNN Travel.
courtesy SUJAN
<strong>SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace: </strong>Decked out in contemporary colors and eye-catching wallpapers, SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace is easily one of the most stylish hotels in India.
SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace: Decked out in contemporary colors and eye-catching wallpapers, SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace is easily one of the most stylish hotels in India.
courtesy SUJÁN
<strong>SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace: </strong>Built by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur for his favorite queen, the 250-year-old Rajmahal Palace is decorated with pristine lawns, lofty bay windows, marble staircases and glamorous decor.
SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace: Built by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur for his favorite queen, the 250-year-old Rajmahal Palace is decorated with pristine lawns, lofty bay windows, marble staircases and glamorous decor.
courtesy SUJÁN
<strong>SUJÁN</strong><strong> </strong><strong>The Serai: </strong>Suján The Serai's 21 tented suites are equipped with terrace lounges and locally made textiles. The Royal Tented Suite stands alone as its own abode, complete with a personal butler, outdoor pool and private spa.
SUJÁN The Serai: Suján The Serai's 21 tented suites are equipped with terrace lounges and locally made textiles. The Royal Tented Suite stands alone as its own abode, complete with a personal butler, outdoor pool and private spa.
courtesy SUJAN
<strong>Suryagarh: </strong>Inside the haveli-style accommodations, you'll find winding corridors and open-air courtyards, gardens, latticed stone, and nostalgic old-world touches.
Suryagarh: Inside the haveli-style accommodations, you'll find winding corridors and open-air courtyards, gardens, latticed stone, and nostalgic old-world touches.
courtesy Suryagarh
<strong>Suryagarh: </strong>Sitting on the less-visited edge of the Thar desert, Suryagarh looks like a grand sandstone fortress from afar.
Suryagarh: Sitting on the less-visited edge of the Thar desert, Suryagarh looks like a grand sandstone fortress from afar.
courtesy Suryagarh
<strong>Taj Falaknuma Palace: </strong>The 19th-century palace-turned-hotel is a living museum of murals, Venetian chandeliers, antiques and statues -- plus 60 lavish guest rooms, croquet lawns, labyrinthine gardens and stables.
Taj Falaknuma Palace: The 19th-century palace-turned-hotel is a living museum of murals, Venetian chandeliers, antiques and statues -- plus 60 lavish guest rooms, croquet lawns, labyrinthine gardens and stables.
courtesy Taj Falaknuma Palace
<strong>Taj Lake Palace: </strong>Set in the middle of Lake Pichola, Taj Lake Palace has long been praised as one of the world's most romantic hotels.
Taj Lake Palace: Set in the middle of Lake Pichola, Taj Lake Palace has long been praised as one of the world's most romantic hotels.
courtesy Taj Lake Palace
<strong>The Taj Mahal Palace: </strong>Located in south Mumbai, the 285-room Palace is the epitome of grandeur. Some of the luxurious rooms feature marble bathrooms, gold fabrics, grand chandeliers and sky-high ceilings.
The Taj Mahal Palace: Located in south Mumbai, the 285-room Palace is the epitome of grandeur. Some of the luxurious rooms feature marble bathrooms, gold fabrics, grand chandeliers and sky-high ceilings.
courtesy Taj Mahal Palace
<strong>The Taj Mahal Palace: </strong>To keep the place running like clockwork, on any given day there will be more than 1,500 staff on duty and at least three dozen butlers.
The Taj Mahal Palace: To keep the place running like clockwork, on any given day there will be more than 1,500 staff on duty and at least three dozen butlers.
courtesy Taj Mahal Palace