Maharashtra (Chandrapur)
Luxurious jungle lodge in the Tadoba Tiger Reserve, set amid 11 acres. Enjoy this secluded spot and feel at one with nature. Suites are decorated with earthy hues & all have private courtyards with veranda seating. The restaurant serves unique regional 'Varadi' cuisine under the outdoor gazebo.
Jaipur (Ajmer Road)
Budget hotel in the heart of Jaipur with bundles of charm and a popular rooftop restaurant. The 23 rooms are packed with character and there is a pleasant lounge and well stocked library. Peacock Restaurant serves delicious Rajasthani dishes and is always thriving. Staff are happy to help.
Bundi (Opp. Purani Kotwali)
Dev Niwas enjoys a wonderful location a short distance outside the centre of Bundi. This heritage hotel is set in a 17th century building once inhabited by royalty. Chic accommodation featuring period furniture, plenty of artwork and a splendid terrace restaurant. A fantastic budget city stay!
Jodhpur (Nai Sarak)
This Blue City family-run historical guesthouse would have European boutiques begging for the same charm, antique furnishings and intimate atmosphere. Charming, unique rooms with access to a rooftop restaurant. A prime spot for panoramic views of Jodhpur and the 15th Century Mehrangarh Fort.
Pushkar (Rajasthan)
An alabaster oasis in the heart of bustling Pushkar town. This 100 year old haveli provides boutique accommodation at a great price. Rooms are decorated in a fusion of Parisian chic and retro Indian style. Antique Rajasthani furnishings complete the look. Food at Sixth Sense is an Epicurean affair.
Kalimpong (Kalimpong)
A delightful guesthouse in the town of Kalimpong. Welcoming hosts, delectable home-cooked meals and cosy cottages set in a beautiful botanical garden. A home from home in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Jodhpur (Ramdeo Ji ka chowk)
A 560-year-old haveli in the midst of Jodhpur’s Old City. Set apart from most of the other guesthouses and hotels, and yet still a five-minute walk from the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort. Family-run and full of character. Individual and colourfully decorated rooms complete the stay.
Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul & Spiti)
Located midway between Manali and Leh this simple hotel enjoys scenic views across the River Bhaga and surrounding mountain range. Accommodation is limited in these parts and generally used as a pitstop before trekking. However all rooms have private balconies and bathrooms. Local dishes are served.
Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh )
This simple yet pristine hotel is an incredible stay considering the price tag. Large, bright rooms feature antique carved beds and private balconies. There is a pretty garden, roof terrace and restaurant serving Indian and Continental dishes. Staff are happy to help you organise trips.
Gujarat (Devpar Yaksh)
Authentic Kutchi hospitality in the village of Devpur Jakhwali, just a few hours’ drive from some of Gujarat’s major attractions
Bundi (Rajasthan)
A 19th century haveli and a fine example of Rajasthani architecture. Awash with decorative arches, wooden pillars, colourful artwork and murals. Rooms transport you to another era and feature large living areas. The restaurant serves excellent Indian cuisine specialising in popular local dishes.
Shekhawati (Ramgarh)
Lovingly restored historic city mansion with a timeless aura. Hand-carved period wooden furniture in simple but tastefully decorated rooms, each with en-suite. Frescoes adorn the walls. A comfortable, secluded haven in a historic Rajasthani gem. Dine on local cuisine in the restaurant with a view.
Kerala (Neyyardam)
This restorative hilltop rural retreat is geared towards good value Ayruvedic (package) treatments. Basic lodgings put the emphasis on health and relaxation. Solo travellers and couples will enjoy the peace. Not for luxury lovers, ambience seekers or elderly with walking difficulties.
Orchha (Tikamgarh)
On the Betwa river and a short distance from Orchha and its historical must-sees Orchha Resort boasts luxury air-con tents, villas and rooms. With a swimming pool, spa, hotel entertainment and light shows in town - there is something for everyone. A great spot to relax after a day of culture.
Guwahati (Uzanbazar)
A quaint guesthouse in Guwahati’s Old Quarter, just a three-minute walk from the Brahmaputra River. Homely, charming and an ideal stop-off on your way to Kaziranga.
Jaipur (Ajmer Road)
Featured in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Providing idiosyncratic rooms with decor from around Rajasthan. Each of their ten rooms are individually and intricately decorated - right down to the bathroom tiles. Dine and the popular Peacock restaurant (just 200m away). Excellent value.
Rishikesh (Ghattugad)
AquaForest provides comfortable accommodation on the banks of the Ganges in six air conditioned tents. More than just a place to rest your head, staff will go out of their way to organise your trip in Rishikesh. Breakfast and dinner are served and included in the price. Book or you'll miss out!
Darjeeling
Excellently located in the heart of Darjeeling’s tourist district with wonderful views of the town and the Kanchenjunga mountain range. This is a lovely hotel with a friendly, warm feel. The rooms are spacious & comfortable, with wood panelling, large windows & soft armchairs. Simple and cosy.
Nainital (Kumaon Hills)
Far from the chaos & crowds, in the gorgeous Kumoan belt, sit 6 charming colonial cottages dating back to 1830. The rooms offered in each building vary but all are cosy & traditional & full of character. Surrounded by orchards, on the edge of a cliff with wonderful views, this is a magical hideaway.
Coonoor (Singara Estate)
Surrounded by tea fields and above the clouds, relax in a serene and tranquil historic mansion. Big rooms, some with fireplaces, and a small menu has been made for the staying guests. Walks, reading and being one with nature is the theme of the area. A great country escape, a chance for fresh air.
Gujarat (Bhuj )
Thatched cottages and mud bhungas decorated with traditional art and mirrorwork. An authentic desert village stay near Gujarat’s White Rann.
Delhi (Jangpura Extension)
A modern, spotlessly clean hotel, boasting a central location and great rates. Rooms are smallish but perfectly formed with workstations, minimalist style, and rain showers. There is a library as well as a cafe serving light snacks. An easy choice for a city base.
Jodhpur ( Rajasthan,)
Delightful, boutique property showcasing the best in Rajasthani interiors and Rajput hospitality. Colourful stained glass windows create a beautiful effect against its alabaster walls whilst antique furnishings complete the look. Mughals dishes are a feast and Ayurvedic massages a treat.
Bhuj (Dist. Bhuj)
A safari lodge with cottages overlooking the Rudramata Reservoir. The perfect base from which to explore the tribal villages and handicrafts around Bhuj. Simple round white-washed cottages and a swimming pool.
Delhi (Delhi)
A family-owned six-bedroom guesthouse, nestled in a quiet residential corner of leafy South Delhi. Light and airy rooms are decorated with bright colours and pale wood furniture. Each floor has its own sitting room and you're within walking distance of shops and cafes. well priced and positioned.
Mysore (Karnataka)
All the trimmings of a well rehearsed hotel chain at enticing prices. With its white colonial facade inside rooms are classic yet modern and of a good size. Oriental Pavilion provides formal dishes and Eastern cuisine whilst Orchid Restaurant is 24 hour dining. There is a pool and well equipped gym.
West Bengal (Kalimpong )
A wonderfully spacious & peaceful hotel, its expansive gardens & delightful views provide a retreat from the bustle. Set up in the 1920s, it has a longstanding and well-deserved reputation; all the great historical names of the region stayed here. Old-fashioned but bursting with old world charm.
Jodhpur
Charming, idiosyncratic collection of rooms and suites in 1930s Art Deco style. Lovely pool, garden and verandahs for dining. Comfort and character in a peaceful residential neighbourhood. Great value for money. There is a delightful pool plus in room massages are available.
Gujarat (Hodka Village)
An authentic desert camp in the village of Hodka, a half-an-hour drive from the extraordinary salt flats of Gujarat’s White Rann.
Puducherry (Tamil Nadu)
Nineteenth century family home turned welcoming guesthouse stay. Le Club restaurant serves Indo-French dishes cooked with love. Rooms are simple yet colourfully decorated with plenty of black and white photographs and curios on the walls. Excellent value in a great location.
Thekkady (Kerala)
Sustainable tourism in the truest sense: experience an organic eco farm in the heart of the luscious Keralan countryside. From poultry and livestock, fruits, vegetables and herbs you can immerse yourself in all elements of farm life. Home cooked produce and comfortable rooms complete the stay.
Pushkar (Rajasthan)
A modern Rajasthani home, opened to the public providing top class 'homestay' accommodation. Located down a quiet and unassuming street outside of town each of the five rooms is individually decorated. Breakfast is served and other meals can be taken at their sister hotel's restaurant, Sixth Sense.
Hampi (Karnataka)
Four heritage homes ranging from private villas to guesthouses, of varying prices yet all as chic as the last. Large rooms feature handwoven carpets, teak furniture and colourful fabrics and tapestries. Meals can be taken in room or communally; served with South Indian flair. A great hideaway.
Manali (Himachal Pradesh )
Run by a family, for families. Spacious rooms and private cottages are decorated in a classic style with green and magnolia palettes, wooden floors, comfy furnishings and views of Manali's enrapturing scenery. There is a cosy restaurant with open fireplace and a homely sitting room, plus a spa.
Matheran (Maharashtra)
This 19th century abode provides guests with a characterful stay. Rooms feature antique Rajasthani beds with intricate tile work, traditional fabrics and views of the surrounding valleys. There is a formal dining room, great for groups and roof top terrace. Pick a book from the library and relax.
Pushkar (Rajasthan)
This owner managed property provides respite from the hustle and bustle of Pushkar town. Large rooms are simply decorated but pleasant and all include private terraces or balconies. There is a quiet garden with views across the lake and a pool by which to relax. Local Indian dishes are served.
Bhimtal (Bhimtal, Uttarakhand)
Retreat to this charming 19th century colonial bungalow, which has been in the Smetacek family for decades. Owner Paddy knows the way to any guest's heart: through their stomach. The food is sublime. Rooms have barely changed since the 1950s and are filled with antiques. Leave the city life behind.
Jodhpur (Defence Laboratory Road)
Delightful old world charm and lush gardens in the centre of town at good value for money. Rooms overlook the garden and are decorated period furniture and Indian textiles. Lots of shady terraces to dine on. A characterful spot with warm hospitality.
Srinagar
A quaint haven of verdant lawns, paved pathways and flowerbeds bursting with roses, situated in the heart of Srinagar. Rooms are clean and comfortable, but the welcome and hospitality are second to none. Come here for a real home from home experience and to soak up genuine Srinagar.
Kochi (India)
A lovely, family-run boutique property in a great location in the historic town of Fort Kochi. Quiet, full of character and excellent value, this tranquil gem offers 16 simple guest rooms opening onto a shaded terrace overlooking lush gardens. Warm and welcoming.
West Bengal (Fatak)
A wildly eccentric hotel in a stunning location in the village of Kurseong, in the West Bengal hills. Amazing views, characterful rooms and an excellent location – just up the road from Makaibari Tea Estate.
Kumbhalgarh
A good-value hideaway, just two kilometres from magnificent Kumbhalgarh Fort. Simple but comfortable accommodation in a wild, scenic landscape. There’s a brand-new swimming pool and spa as well as superb local food.
Udaipur
In the same family for over 180 years this lovely, understated heritage hotel is slap bang in the centre of Lal Ghat: walking distance from the City Palace and other sights. Colourful rooms, some with private balconies, provide spectacular views of the Lake Palace. A charming stay.
Kolkata
This delightful family owned hotel is brilliantly located in the heart of Kolkata. It is one of the few places in the centre that has truly managed to retain its colonial charm and ambiance. Inside it provides space and comfort, lovely decor and just the right amount of quirkiness.
Jodhpur
Traditional old haveli elaborately and colourfully decorated. Beautiful intricate bedrooms and suites with artefacts, furniture and old family photographs. Shady courtyards and two restaurants - one on the roof terrace with lovely views and great food. Understated elegance and romance.
Mysore (Jayalakshmipuram)
The best boutique stay in Mysore. Individually decorated rooms feature antique four posters with Indian textiles and stained glass windows and ornate doors, plus white ensuite bathrooms. Relax in the airy courtyard or verdant gardens. Dine on Asian dishes in the hotel's restaurant.
Mysore (Karnataka)
A heritage hotel for incredible value. Large rooms are decorated in an Indian meets colonial style. Large, ornately tapestried four posters fill even larger rooms that feature dark wood antique furnishings. There's a pool, spa and plenty of on site activities including billiards and tennis.
Leh (Ladakh)
The Kaal provides a simple, yet homely stay in Leh. Rooms have wood panelling, living areas and large windows, typical of the region, which open up onto terraces or private balconies. Bathrooms are basic. There is a pleasant sunny garden and restaurant serving local dishes - momos are a speciality!
Delhi
A charming homestay well positioned in the city centre. Individually decorated rooms are filled with antique artefacts and knick-knacks. There is a well stocked library and sitting room for guests to congregate. A buffet breakfast is served and delicious home-cooked meals are available on request.
Puducherry (Tamil Nadu)
Located in Pondicherry's quaint French Quarter, Le Chateau but adds to the area's charm. Original features such as checkerboard flooring and wood-framed windows complete the look. There is a lovely roof-top restaurant with views across the Bay of Bengal.