Kamalapura Palace

The third property in Evolve Back's portfolio and their grandest yet. Kamalapura Palace revives the days of the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire. The welcome to the hotel through the arched, and ‘fortified’ entrance is as dramatic as it is warm. Rose petals flutter down over the car on passing through the arch, a uniformed guard strikes a gong, and then at the hotel entrance, a posse of beautiful sari-clad ladies offer cold wet towels and slip floral garlands over the head of each guest. The hotel design is inspired by the Vijayanagara architecture of nearby Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For the architectural purist, the hotel’s enfilades of Mughal arches and the stepped rooflines might verge on the pastiche, if not Disney, especially after a day spent looking at the real thing. But for those that might worry about such things, the excellent service and warmth of the staff soon soothe any aesthetic misgivings. It’s not every hotel you return to your room to find a carefully laid pattern of rose petals floating in the bath. Everything is slightly oversized at Kamalapura Palace and there are some things in life where bigger really is better: beds. They're enormous (and incredibly comfy)! Rooms are of a similar nature, gargantuan, and include an in-room hot tub bath as standard. On the food front every taste is well catered for, be sure to try the traditional Karnatakan thali, quite delicious, though Western dishes such as penne arrabiata still hit the mark if you're after comfort food. Breakfast is a spread of South Indian favourites: masala dosa, idli, eggs to order, fruits, cheeses, yoghurts, Bircher muesli, and pancakes. Evolve Back are fastidious about their eco-credentials and every room includes its own water filter. You won't find any plastic bottles here. Be sure to book one of their tours for exploring Hampi and its surroundings. There's nowhere else quite like it in all of India. With a focus on wellness and Ayurveda, Kamalapura Palace allows travellers to explore this out-the-way destination in the height of luxury.