How To See The Best Of India In Style
Spanning a vast stretch of northeast India, Rajasthan is often described as the jewel in India’s crown. With its scorched desert plains, wild jungles and craggy Aravalli Hills, the landscape is as varied as its rich cultural heritage. Ancient forts, intricately carved temples and elaborate palaces offer a glimpse into the region’s Mughal history, while colourful cities bring a very different energy. While there’s plenty to see, the best trips combine its major sights with some of the quieter places that offer a real look at life in the region.
Chances are, you’ll touchdown in Delhi. Here, old and new sit side by side. Old Delhi dates to the 17th century, with winding lanes filled with cycle rickshaws, tuk-tuks, colourful shops and street traders, while New Delhi’s broad boulevards reflect its 20th-century British planning. Highlights include the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat and Humayun’s Tomb. Many visitors then head to Agra, on the western bank of the Yamuna River. The Taj Mahal is the obvious highlight and is particularly beautiful at sunset, while the imposing Agra Fort is another essential stop. Nearby, Fatehpur Sikri, a Unesco World Heritage Site built by Emperor Akbar in the second half of the 16th century, is remarkably well preserved and was once the capital of the Mughal Empire.
Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is known as the Pink City and is one of the region’s essential stops. Founded in 1727, its buildings were painted pink in 1853 ahead of Prince Albert’s visit, a traditional colour of welcome that has endured ever since. The City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort and Panna Meena Step Well are all worth seeing. Shopping is another draw, especially for textiles, jewellery and made-to-measure clothing.
In Jodhpur, the enormous Mehrangarh Fort dominates the Blue City. Explore the fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace and atmospheric old city before heading to the Clock Tower Bazaar, where handicrafts, spices, fabrics and saris fill the traditional market stalls. Pushkar is a more peaceful stop, known for its lakes, temples and annual Camel Fair. A Hindu pilgrimage town, it’s vegetarian and alcohol free. Then there’s Udaipur, Rajasthan’s romantic city of lakes and floating palaces. White marble buildings, historic temples, gardens and winding streets surround the water, with the iconic Lake Palace sitting in the middle of Lake Pichola.
Finally, there’s Ranthambore National Park. It’s home to crocodiles, leopards, jackals, sambar deer and some 300 species of birds, but it is the Bengal tiger that visitors travel around the world for. With almost 90 resident tigers in the park, the chance of spotting these magnificent cats is high, but if they prove elusive, the experience is no less rich. Pali offers a similar experience, but is focused on leopards.
Want to get planning? Here are seven luxury stays to add to your list…
BEST FOR TIGER SAFARIS:
Aman-i-Khás, Ranthambhore
On the threshold of Ranthambhore National Park, Aman-i-Khás is an intimate tented camp where privacy, wildlife and thoughtful design come together. Earlier this year, the camp expanded with three new tented pavilions, bringing the total to 13. The two new Grand Tented Pool Pavilions are the largest accommodation at the camp, each spanning 256sq m beneath a soaring canvas canopy. Inside, expect generous living and dining areas, spa-like bathrooms, open-air sundecks and private temperature-controlled pools, making them feel more like luxury suites than traditional tents. There’s also a new 164sq m Tented Pool Pavilion with its own private plunge pool. The camp’s real draw, though, is its setting and the daily safaris into the reserve. Ranthambhore is one of Rajasthan’s best places to spot wildlife, including Bengal tigers, with guests heading out in Aman-i-Khás’s fleet of Jeeps in search of them. But there’s plenty to discover beyond the safari drives. In the cooler months, early risers can head to Surwal Lake to spot more than 200 species of indigenous and migratory birds, stopping for chai and traditional sweets by the water. The Fort & River experience combines a visit to Khandar Fort with a cruise along the Chambal River, where crocodiles, turtles and rare birdlife can be seen, followed by a private chef-prepared lunch overlooking the ravines. Back at camp, spa therapies, swimming and relaxed dining round off the day.
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BEST FOR A CITY ESCAPE:
The Johri, Jaipur
Tucked into Jaipur’s historic Johri Bazaar, The Johri at Lal Haveli is an intimate boutique hotel set within a beautifully restored 19th-century home. Surrounded by jewellery shops, textile houses and the colour and buzz of the city’s famous Jewellers’ Market, it offers a peaceful base from which to explore the Pink City. The hotel has just eight spacious suites, all overlooking a traditional inner courtyard. Each combines heritage details with contemporary comfort, while antique furniture, Rajasthan textiles and locally sourced art add to the sense of place. The result is relaxed rather than overly formal, with an emphasis on thoughtful service and quiet comfort. The courtyard is also home to The Johri Restaurant, which serves seasonal vegetarian Indian food centred around local produce. Menus evolve with the seasons, with inventive takes on regional flavours, while an intimate cocktail bar offers somewhere to unwind after a day exploring Jaipur. There’s also a massage space for a little downtime. For first-time visitors, The Johri’s location is particularly appealing: step outside and you’re immediately immersed in one of Jaipur’s most atmospheric neighbourhoods, while the hotel itself provides a calm retreat from the energy of the old city.
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BEST FOR A HISTORIC STAY:
RAAS, Jodhpur
In Jodhpur’s Walled City, RAAS is built around an original 18th-century haveli, bringing together historic architecture and contemporary design. The hotel’s buildings are arranged around a peaceful central courtyard and pool, with views towards the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, a 15th-century landmark rising around 400ft above the city. The contrast between old and new is particularly striking. Original sandstone buildings, restored using traditional lime mortar, sit alongside newer structures made from the same distinctive red stone but interpreted through cleaner, more modern lines. Look closely and you’ll find intricately carved panels, antique shrines, original arches and even former stables incorporated into the design. There’s plenty of history to explore within the hotel itself. The Darikhana, once the haveli’s guest house, is now a popular al fresco dining space, while Baradari occupies an 1850s entertainment pavilion and remains at the centre of the hotel’s social life. Around the courtyard, former stables have been transformed into cosy reading nooks and relaxing spaces, alongside a small 18th-century temple.
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BEST FOR OLD-SCHOOL LUXURY:
Amanbagh, Aravalli Hills
Within an oasis of fruit trees and flowering shrubs in Rajasthan’s Aravalli Hills, Amanbagh offers a particularly peaceful take on the region’s grand heritage – and is worth staying at for its grand swimming pool alone. The resort’s rose-hued, Mughal-inspired architecture rises from the greenery, with vaulted entrances and palatial pavilions creating a striking contrast to the rugged landscape beyond. The Pavilions and Suites have a distinctly royal feel, reflecting the site’s former role as a hunting ground for the Maharaja of Alwar. Some come with private pools, terraces and courtyards, while all are designed around a sense of space, privacy and old-world grandeur. There’s plenty to explore beyond the resort. Guests can visit the 17th-century city of Bhangarh, Ajabgarh Fort and the temple town of Neelkanth, or head into nearby Sariska Tiger Reserve. The surrounding countryside can be explored by Jeep, bicycle, camel or horseback, including rides on the rare Marwari breed. Village visits offer an opportunity to meet local communities over chai and experience rural Rajasthan at a slower pace. Back at Amanbagh, food is rooted in the region, with ingredients sourced from the resort’s organic garden and menus drawing on North Indian, Ayurvedic and Rajasthani traditions. There’s also an Ayurvedic doctor on site to talk guests through the practice and offer advice and treatments.
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BEST FOR SEEING THE TAJ MAHAL:
Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
Just 600 metres from the Taj Mahal, Oberoi Amarvilas offers one of the most memorable ways to experience Agra’s most famous landmark. The five-star resort is the only luxury hotel in the city where every room and suite has unrestricted views of the Taj Mahal, making the monument a constant presence throughout your stay. The hotel takes its design cues from traditional Mughal palace architecture, with terraced lawns, reflection pools, fountains and elegant pavilions creating a suitably grand setting. It’s an appropriate base for exploring Agra, which was once the capital of the Mughal Empire and is home to three Unesco World Heritage Sites: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri. There are plenty of ways to make the most of the views without leaving the hotel. Guests can arrange private dining overlooking the Taj Mahal or book couples’ spa treatments with the monument as a backdrop. Being so close to the Taj Mahal also means guests can experience it at different times of day, before returning to the calm of the hotel.
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BEST FOR LEOPARD SPOTTING:
Suján Jawai Camp, Pali
Among the billion-year-old granite formations of Jawai, Suján Jawai Camp offers a chance to experience one of Rajasthan’s most unusual wildlife landscapes. The region is home to a high density of wild leopards, which roam the hills alongside antelope and wild boar. Twice-daily wilderness drives are led by expert guides, who share insights into the area’s ecology, wildlife and cultural history. What makes Jawai particularly distinctive is the relationship between the wilderness and the surrounding rural communities, with wildlife and village life existing alongside each other. There are plenty of ways to explore beyond the traditional safari. Guests can take village walks, go horse riding or hiking, visit local temples or join walking safaris with the Rabari tribe, offering a deeper connection with the region and its traditions. Accommodation is deliberately intimate, with just ten luxurious tented suites, including the Royal Panthera Suite and Family Felidae Suite. Spacious and private, they combine sophisticated design with a strong sense of being immersed in the landscape.
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BEST FOR YOUR FIRST NIGHT IN INDIA:
The Imperial, New Delhi
A New Delhi institution, The Imperial has been welcoming guests since 1936 and remains one of the city’s grandest heritage hotels – it’s now the proud owner of two Michelin Keys. Within eight acres right in the capital, the hotel combines Victorian, art-deco and Lutyens architecture with an extensive collection of art, marble colonnades, hand-knotted Persian carpets and historic corridors. The suites balance the building’s traditional grandeur with a more contemporary feel, while the hotel’s dedicated fleet of drivers makes it easy to arrange road trips and transfers around the city. Food is another reason to stay. The Spice Route is one of the hotel’s signature restaurants, occupying nine carefully designed spaces that lead through an evocative journey of Asian flavours. Its interiors are as memorable as the food, with temple-inspired pillars, murals and an open courtyard that comes alive in the evening. The menu travels from East Asia through Java and into the traditions of southern India.
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