In the bustling city of Gurgaon, Anya Hotel provides a decadent retreat. White marble is offset by vivid pinks, blues and oranges and statement chandeliers dangle from ceilings, while walls are adorned with Indian art from contemporary masters such as Bose Krishnamachari and Chittrovanu Mazumdar. Head to the restaurant for Gurgaon’s only Spanish tapas restaurant before watching jazz and piano performances at the bar.

Run by the same family for more than a century, this boutique
camp offers old-world luxury in secluded Indian countryside. Set on
a reservoir dam, tents are made from locally woven fabrics with
rich traditional colours and decor, with pristine granite bathrooms
and panoramic views across the lakes. Traditional food is prepared
using ingredients grown on-site and cooked with sustainable fuel,
while filtered waste water is used on surrounding greenery.

Set inside a traditional Indian mansion built 175 years ago to house the rulers of Samode, the private fountain courtyards, majestic balconies and verdant gardens have now been converted into a regal heritage hotel. Explore the historic walled city of Jaipur before retreating back to Samode Haveli’s hand painted dining hall for a candlelit meal of Rajasthani cuisine.

Mornings should be spent lazing at the hotel’s Sunrise infinity pool, with views over the Arabian sea. In the evening, head to the sunset plunge pool for a palm-shaded snooze surrounded by pink and white frangipani trees. Dine al fresco at this hotel’s tropical restaurant, with daily changing fusion menus made from fresh, local ingredients, before retreating to your room to admire the curated Indian artwork adorning the walls.

Start your day with early morning yoga amid the ruins of
Bhangarh, and spend afternoons sunbathing underneath the eucalyptus
trees, and swimming in the 33-metre sea-green marble pool. After a
decadent feast underneath Mughal-inspired arch windows and towering
ceilings at the hotel’s restaurant, wander through intricate
archways and vaulted ceilings to find your room, admiring views
from your private terrace as you fill up the majestic bathtub
carved from Udaipur.

Retreat into the Himalayas for true serenity. As its name
suggests, come for 360-degree views of lofty peaks and soaring
mountains from this eco-friendly resort. Start your day exploring
the hefty adventure tales and tomes in the hotel’s library, before
embarking on your own adventure. Hike through Himalayan trails and
visit remote mountain villages, before heading back to the hotel
for an organic, locally sourced and fair-trade meal served on a
private terrace.

Originally the 18th-century private palace of the Holkar dynasty, now Ahilya Fort offers a royal retreat for those in search of an opulent holiday. Kick back by the outdoor, freshwater pool in the shadow of the palatial hotel, and dine on elegant dishes designed for Price Richard Holkar. Then retreat to the Mandap terrace for cocktails with a view.

A haven for movie and theatre lovers, this storied hotel is inspired by India’s historic film industry. Built on the former premises of Gemini Film Studios, muted colours, cream limestone and beech-wood floors create a calming atmosphere during the day, but in the evening, image projections, lights and sound transform the central atrium into an interactive performance hub.

Priding itself on eco-friendly methods, SUJÁN Jawai fits in naturally among the towering granite cliffs, rollings kopjes and winding rivers of Bisalpur. Go on wilderness game drives, explore nearby villages or UNESCO heritage sites such as Kumbhalgarh Fort, or just sit on your private terrace overlooking pastoral fields and wild grasslands. Tents are decorated with muted colours to complement the surrounding landscape, complete with splashes of scarlett red to match the colour of the Rabari turban – the nomadic herdsmen who have on the land for centuries.

Providing an intimate escape in India’s capital city, The Lodhi offers three serene hectares of refuge. Wander through courtyards and gardens, take a dip in the heated outdoor pool, or take your pick between Ayurvedic, Asian and Western treatments at the Lodhi Spa, complete with hammams, plunge pools and salons. Choose a Lodhi Premier Room on the hotel’s top floors for views across the treetops and iconic skyline of New Delhi.

In the centre of the “Pink City” of Jaipur, this urban oasis
provides a lavish stay in a converted royal palace with more than
250 years of history. Follow in the footsteps of celebrated guests
from the Queen and Prince Phillip to Jackie Kennedy as you wander
through lush gardens and regal interiors, complete with marble
staircases, decorative chandeliers and historical ornaments.

Drift away from reality as you float down Kerala’s tranquil backwaters on this renovated luxury boat. With just two private suites, both are decorated with traditional ornaments, hand-embroidered rugs and teak and cane furnishings. Spend days gliding through palm-lined lagoons, wildlife spotting, stopping off at waterside villages and temples, and dining on a private veranda, before falling asleep to the sound of Kerala’s calm waters.

Inside the towering turrets, battlements and striking
architecture of this castle is a fort transformed into a luxurious
historic resort. Designed in harmony with the surrounding
environment on the outskirts of Jaipur, explore the labyrinthine
interiors and feast on dishes inspired by the Silk Road, cooked in
sandpits over open flames with views across the Rajasthani
landscape.

On Kerala’s shores, this eco-friendly resort is an idyllic coastal hideaway. Awaken with an early morning yoga class, and while away the hours lazing on hammocks and sunbathing on the beach. Wind down with meditation classes in the evening before sampling freshly caught fish and locally sourced vegetarian dishes from the hotel’s vast buffet.

Stretching across 32 acres of land, Taj Falaknuma Palace towers over Hyderabad. Spend days indulging in traditional India and Ayurvedic wellness treatments at the Jiva Spa, and browsing the vast collection of rare books in the library. Built in 1894, the palace offers views over the 400-year-old City of Pearls, and rooms overlook the central courtyard. Taste-test your way through the hotel’s restaurants, from the Indian fine-dining Adaa and the multi-national cuisine of Celesta, to private dining at the Gol Bungalow and evening drinks on the Jade terrace.

Overlooking the river Ganges, expansive gardens and grounds are set in the shadow of the royal palace of Narendra Nagar and the restored Viceregal Palace deep in the Himalayan mountains. Head to the spa for holistic rituals, massages and treatments, and don’t forget to ask about wellness workshops and yoga classes. Dine on the treetop deck for panoramic views across the Himalayas.