Colaba · Mumbai · Taj
The Taj Mahal Palace
Mumbai’s grand dame, opposite the Gateway of India since 1903.
Sea viewSpaPoolHeritage
From ₹28,000 / night
The best luxury hotels in India
Palaces in Rajasthan, beach villas in Goa, cedar forests in the Himalaya and the grand hotels of Mumbai and Delhi.
Quick answer
Which are the best luxury hotels in India?
Our travel designers rate Taj Lake Palace (Udaipur), Rambagh Palace (Jaipur), The Oberoi Udaivilas (Udaipur), The Oberoi Amarvilas (Agra) and The Taj Mahal Palace (Mumbai) as India’s best luxury hotels for most travellers. For beaches choose Taj Exotica in Goa; for the mountains, Wildflower Hall near Shimla; for wellness, Ananda in the Himalayas.
Hotels in this guide10
Price range₹22,000 to ₹70,000 a night
Best seasonOctober to March
Best forPalaces, weddings, family trips
At a glance
| Hotel | Area | Best for | From, per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Taj Mahal Palace | Colaba, Mumbai | Sea view, Spa | ₹28,000 |
| Taj Lake Palace | Lake Pichola, Udaipur | Lake view, Spa | ₹62,000 |
| The Oberoi Udaivilas | Lake Pichola, Udaipur | Lake view, Spa | ₹55,000 |
| Rambagh Palace | Bhawani Singh Road, Jaipur | Heritage, Spa | ₹45,000 |
| Umaid Bhawan Palace | Chittar Hill, Jodhpur | Heritage, Spa | ₹70,000 |
| The Oberoi Amarvilas | Taj East Gate, Agra | Taj Mahal view, Spa | ₹48,000 |
| The Leela Palace New Delhi | Chanakyapuri, Delhi | Rooftop pool, Spa | ₹22,000 |
| Taj Exotica Resort & Spa | Benaulim, Goa | Beachfront, Spa | ₹26,000 |
| Wildflower Hall | Mashobra, Shimla | Mountain view, Spa | ₹38,000 |
| Ananda in the Himalayas | Narendra Nagar, Rishikesh | Wellness, Spa | ₹42,000 |
Indicative starting prices; live rates change by date.
1 2 Lake Pichola · Udaipur · TajTaj Lake Palace
Arrive by boat to an 18th-century palace on Lake Pichola.
Lake viewSpaPoolHeritageFrom ₹62,000 / night3 Lake Pichola · Udaipur · OberoiThe Oberoi Udaivilas
Semi-private pools that run to the lake’s edge.
Lake viewSpaPool villaFrom ₹55,000 / nightNot sure which one suits you? Tell us the occasion and we’ll shortlist two.
4 Bhawani Singh Road · Jaipur · TajRambagh Palace
The former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, with peacocks on the lawns.
HeritageSpaPoolFrom ₹45,000 / night5 Chittar Hill · Jodhpur · TajUmaid Bhawan Palace
Part palace, part royal residence, above the blue city.
HeritageSpaPoolFrom ₹70,000 / night6 Taj East Gate · Agra · OberoiThe Oberoi Amarvilas
Every room looks at the Taj Mahal, 600 metres away.
Taj Mahal viewSpaPoolFrom ₹48,000 / night7 Chanakyapuri · Delhi · LeelaThe Leela Palace New Delhi
Delhi’s most palatial city hotel, in the diplomatic enclave.
Rooftop poolSpaFine diningFrom ₹22,000 / night8 Benaulim · Goa · TajTaj Exotica Resort & Spa
Mediterranean-style villas on a quiet South Goa beach.
BeachfrontSpaPool villaFamily friendlyFrom ₹26,000 / night9 Mashobra · Shimla · OberoiWildflower Hall
Cedar forests and a heated pool at 2,500 metres.
Mountain viewSpaIndoor poolFrom ₹38,000 / night10 Narendra Nagar · Rishikesh · IHHRAnanda in the Himalayas
India’s best-known Ayurveda and yoga retreat.
WellnessSpaMountain viewFrom ₹42,000 / night
How to choose
Choose by experience
Pick the area or experience first; the right hotel follows.
Palaces of Rajasthan
Udaipur, Jaipur and Jodhpur. Best October to March; book Diwali and New Year 6 months ahead.
Beaches
South Goa for quiet villas; Kerala’s backwaters for slow days on the water.
Mountains
Shimla and Rishikesh for cool air in summer, and serious spas.
Cities
Mumbai and Delhi’s grand hotels, for business, weddings and stopovers.
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FAQs
Questions travellers ask
Which is the most luxurious hotel in India?
Many guests choose Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur or Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur. Both are working palaces, with prices from about ₹60,000 a night.
When is the best time to visit Rajasthan’s palace hotels?
October to March. Summer (April to June) is very hot, but rates fall by up to 40%.
Are palace hotels good for families with children?
Yes. Rambagh Palace and The Oberoi Udaivilas both have large grounds, pools and connecting rooms.
How far ahead should I book for Diwali or New Year?
Five to six months for palaces in Udaipur and Jaipur, which often sell out.
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