RR Circle Approved: 10 Finest Stays in India

Depending on where in India you find yourself, hospitality takes on a different character. From safari lodges for wild immersion to colonial era hotels with sophisticated artistry, these are some of the finest hotels in India, as picked by the RR Circle.

Kumarakom Lake Resort

Twenty five acres of manicured greens frame Kumarakom Lake Resort. From the moment you glide in by boat, you’re transported to a five-star experience set amid mangrove forests, paddy fields, and coconut groves. Guests can head out to cruise along mangrove-lined canals, visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, or simply watch sunlight dissolve into water from your personal veranda or infinity pool. Inside, the resort’s accommodations offer private pools, lake-view villas, and sprawling private courtyards, among others.

Avarna Jain recommends dining at Kumarakom almost ritualistic, defined by its southern flavours and traditional setups. Ettukettu, their multi-cuisine dining space, is housed in an eight-sided mansion with courtyards; while at Vembanad, the seafood bar, evening light flickers over the water. For something intimate, the pool pavilion hosts torchlit dinners by the infinity pool right on the banks of Vembanad Lake. Thattukada captures the rustic essence of Kerala’s snacks in an open-air setting. There is also Ayurmana, the Ayurveda spa, where traditional Kerala treatments pulse with healing energy. The retreat by Paul John Resorts & Hotels also offers houseboats for a cruising experience on the backwaters.

Suján Sher Bagh, Ranthambore

Perched on the edge of Ranthambore National Park, Suján Sher Bagh, a member of Relais & Châteaux, evokes the romance of 1920s safari life for the modernday traveller. Hotelier and heritage conservationist Yeshwant Holkar enjoys how tiny details keep the sense of the wild alive. Tarang Arora, CEO of Amrapali Jewels, says, “Limited tents, private dining under starlit skies, and a personalised butler service in the heart of the jungle—every detail makes you feel pampered and connected to nature.”

The 12 tented suites offer privacy, with verandas, ensuite bathrooms, and campaign furniture punctuated with brass pug-marks. A massive tent houses the bar, dining area, and the library. Both Holkar and Arora, however, concur on the unmissable charm of the bush dinner that features menus devised with homegrown ingredients and served under lantern light.

Rambagh Palace, Jaipur

Originally built in 1835, Rambagh Palace has served various functions—including a royal guesthouse to the maharaja’s residence—before becoming Taj Hotels’ flagship palace hotel. And that’s what stands out for interior designer Vinita Chaitanya: “I love that Rambagh Palace is authentic. It has a beautiful history, has retained its cultural heritage and even celebrates it.”

Perhaps the most evident spectacle of this royal hospitality is the hotel’s dining experience. “The Rajasthani thaalis starring laal maas feel like feasts [from] history, enjoyed in regal settings,” says Sanya Jain, co-founder of Smoke Lab with spouse Varun.

Apart from nibbles at its all-day dining, outdoor café, and bar, the hotel also offers Indian fare beneath chandeliers at Suvarna Mahal. For laidback meals, visit Steam, named after a restored railway carriage on the premises. Experiences also include carriage rides through the palace grounds and auspicious bathing rituals. For RR Circle members, it’s detailing that add to these experiences, including celebrating festivals traditionally or arranging outdoor breakfasts amid peacocks.

The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

If the Taj Mahal mausoleum is a lesson in attention to detail, then the Oberoi Amarvilas is about memorising those details. “Every room has an uninterrupted or near-uninterrupted view of the Taj Mahal. That alignment alone demands exacting standards of planning, engineering, and maintenance,” says restaurateur Zorawar Kalra of Massive Restaurants.

The hotel draws inspiration from the artistic and architectural style of the Mughal Empire and reinterprets it for modern hospitality: handwoven tapestries, marble inlay, and gold-thread embroidery meets handcrafted furniture, and butler service. The hotel is set across nine acres of terraced lawns, fountains, and reflection pools. Among its 102 rooms and suites, the Kohinoor Suite epitomises regal indulgence with its private terraces and panoramic Taj vistas—even from the bathtub. Dining is equally refined: Bellevue and The Bar offer global menus and uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal, located 600 metres away. For Dildeep Kalra, director at Massive Restaurants, an evening at the sandstone set of Esphahan under candlelight with live traditional music makes for an unforgettable experience.

The Imperial, New Delhi

Sitting in the heart of Connaught Place, The Imperial New Delhi has been a bastion of heritage luxury since 1936. Its blend of Victorian, Art Deco, and Lutyens’ styles shines through the marble colonnades, hand-knotted Persian carpets, and soaring ceilings. “What I love most about the hotel is how it serves as a living reminder of a bygone era. The corridors are adorned with fantastic colonial artworks by Thomas and William Daniell,” says cultural entrepreneur Sangita Devi Kathiwada. This is the world’s largest private collection of Indo-European artworks in different forms, with over 5,500 pieces on display.

Kathiwada’s favourite element, though, is the hotel’s signature fragrance. Complemented by unusual floral arrangements in every corner, it sets a new standard for sensory beauty. Epicurean experiences add to this indulgence: The Spice Route captivates with Asian flavours set within rich mural art; the 1911 Restaurant is the Art Deco-style all-day dining; San Gimignano, The Atrium, and a variety of bars including the Patiala Peg offer an address for every mood and moment.

The Imperial Spa comprises a beauty salon, fitness amenities, and a tranquil pool. Another highlight is the Imperial Boutique that houses vintage travel treasures, clothes from emerging designers, hand-selected keepsakes, and rare artefacts.

The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

“A luxury hotel needs to speak about culture and heritage; I love history, architectural details, conservation, and local flavours,” says Vinita Chaitanya.

Since opening in 1903, The Taj Mahal Palace hotel has stood as one of India’s grandest hotels and Mumbai’s most enduring icon, loved for its attention to detail. Commissioned by visionary industrialist Jamsetji N. Tata, it’s where maharajas, viceroys, artists, and rockstars have crossed paths for over a century. The Taj Palace houses 285 rooms and suites, restored with rare antiques and heritage art, while the adjoining Taj Mahal Tower offers 258 contemporary rooms and the new Apollo Suites that blend European grace with Indian warmth. The legendary Golden Dragon, Wasabi by Morimoto, and the city’s first licensed bar, the Harbour Bar, celebrate flavours from around the world. At Loya, Indian fare meets zero-proof cocktails. Beyond its storied corridors lie timeless experiences: private dining at The Chef’s Studio, walking tours through the art-lined halls that Chaitanya loves, rejuvenation at the J Wellness Circle Ayurveda Sanctuary, and yachting over the Arabian Sea. And for simple pleasures, gaze at the Gateway of India in Mumbai, an iconic monument that lies facing the hotel.

Amanbagh, Ajabgarh

Translating to ‘peaceful garden’, Amanbagh refers to the sanctuary of stillness crafted at this hotel in Rajasthan. The former royal hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Alwar evokes Mughal grandeur through domed cupolas, pink sandstone façades, and elegant colonnades, all enveloped by palms and eucalyptus groves. “What elevates the property is the uniqueness of the destination that defies imitation; the unparalleled hospitality; and the art of personalisation,” says interior designer Miheeka Daggubati.

The Haveli Suites and Pool Pavilions feature high-vaulted ceilings, marble bathtubs, and intricate stonework inspired by Rajasthan’s regal past—coupled with private terraces and private pools. Dining venues celebrate local Rajasthani and north Indian flavours, with menus crafted from seasonal produce grown in the resort’s organic gardens. Wellness takes centre stage through Ayurvedic rituals and yoga programmes, complemented by meditation sessions and sunrise walks through villages. “One of the most unforgettable—and arguably coolest—experiences at Amanbagh is the private sunrise excursion to the abandoned city of Bhangarh,” Daggubati says.

The Kumaon, Binsar

Morning arrives slowly at The Kumaon: mist spilling through cedar trees, the hush of the hills broken by birdcall, views of the Himalayas drenched in sunlight. “Luxury here isn’t indulgence—it’s renewal,” says author Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi. This retreat near Kasar Devi seamlessly camouflages into the mountain, allowing guests to be one with nature. Created by Zowa Architects, The Kumaon redefines Himalayan minimalism with 10 sculptural suites cascading along the ridge, their stone, slate, and glass façades opening to cinematic views of the Nanda Devi peak. The stone and wood structures mirror Kumaoni homes and mountain living. Meals are drawn from the land itself: think organic produce, wild herbs, and local grains. The cantilevered dining room floats over the valley, while afternoons unfold in the library, evenings at the spa, and nights under a sky heavy with stars. Shanghvi loves to head outdoors for a guided walk with the resident naturalist. It’s also possible to visit the villages of Binsar, go swimming in the Kosi, or visit the famous Katarmal Sun Temple with the team.

Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling

Once a planter’s estate, Glenburn Tea Estate was turned into a hotel by the Prakash family to blend colonial elegance with the intimacy of a family home. Today, it offers an elegant retreat across two bungalows hosting four suites each. From The Kanchenjunga and The Roseto Rung Dung to Singalila, each suite is understated and designed with modern comforts. Its location above the River Rungeet in the Darjeeling hills affords Glenburn Tea Estate fairy-tale views of the Kanchenjunga range.

Avarna Jain, chairperson of RPSG Lifestyle Media and the chair of RR Circle, recommends Glenburn Tea Estate because of its settings that inspire one to disconnect from the world—be it during meals under trees or in the comfort of your room. With limited WiFi and no distractions but the sound of the river below, guests might be inspired to try hands-on cooking sessions or relax in the spa. The team also arranges guided walks through tea gardens, tea tasting sessions, picnics by the river, and overnight stays at the Glenburn Lodge tucked deeper in the valley. The kitchen celebrates the estate’s Anglo Indian heritage, serving family recipes and fresh produce from its own gardens. Specialties from fragrant curries to home-baked bread and cakes are served in a sit-down session at dinner, while excursions are marked with picnics, as well as tea and beverage sessions.

The Leela Palace, Udaipur

Built where Lake Pichola mirrors the Aravalli Hills, The Leela Palace Udaipur combines the romance of Rajasthan’s royal past with the modern-day travel. Guests arrive via an EV boat under rose petal showers to a façade laced with chhatris and jharokhas, stroll marble pathways in Rang Manch, and dine under shimmering lantern light by the lake. Apart from its 88 rooms, the hotel recently expanded into a villa enclave called Arq at Pichola. The three villas come with butler service, mixologist-led sundowners, chefs on call, and amenities like a private temperature-controlled pool with a jacuzzi.

“The Leela Palace Udaipur is a masterpiece of heritage hospitality. While the interiors are fit for royals, the service feels grounded and warm,” says Jain. From floating breakfasts in heated pools to candlelit dinners with regional flavours, the team curates experiences to make one’s stay special. Culinary offerings combine global influences with local fare across The Dining Room and Sheesh Mahal, while more private dining experiences can be planned at Arq. There’s a spa offering Ayurvedic and western therapies. Guests can spend their days attending prayers at the onsite temple, taking guided tours of local art, and witnessing tribal folk performances.