Kochi (Cochin)
Just 300m north from Vypeen Island's ferry dock, this beautiful 1930 Keralan heritage house is a delight, with two large connecting rooms featuring quaint…
Must-see hotels in South India
Northern Kerala
Chembra Peak looms high above this peacefully positioned, red-brick, colonial-era bungalow turned boutiqueish hostel, set in leafy gardens 6km south of…
Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Swanky Leela isn’t actually a palace (it was built in 2003), but in terms of comfort it's fit for royalty – and golfers (it's next to a course). Gleaming…
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Smart, orange-walled, polished-wood cottages with terraces and a bit of style, in a knot of palms just steps from the beach. The most affordable 'cottages…
Maharashtra
On the main highway for the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, this is an efficiently run hotel, owned by an Indian mountaineering legend, with well-appointed…
Madurai
A refreshing escape from the city scramble, the Taj-group Gateway sprawls across hilltop gardens 6km southwest of Madurai centre. The views, outdoor pool…
Tamil Nadu
For a (relatively) economical Chettinadu sojourn, welcoming Chettinadu Court offers eight pleasant rooms sporting Athangudi tiles and a few heritage…
Varkala
With an excellent location on tranquil Odayam Beach, this cluster of delightful beachfront cottages is designed in traditional Kerala style, flaunting…
Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram)
With flowery landscaped gardens and its own stretch of beach, this laid-back resort, 3km north of town, is popular with weekending families and couples…
Mumbai (Bombay)
This place is really making an effort, with small but immaculately clean and inviting rooms, all with flat-screen TVs, set off a railway-carriage-style…
Kerala
With its location on Lake Vembanad, near the entrance to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, this government resort is a good deal for visiting birdwatchers…
Tiruvannamalai
In a blissfully quiet spot 1km southwest of the main ashram area, this colourful guesthouse is fronted by gardens. Singles feel flimsy, like cheap mobile…
Mumbai (Bombay)
A beachfront institution with renovated rooms that are big on earth tones – soothing dark greens and greys – coloured up with bright chilli-pepper red and…
Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Well-established Wild Orchid's contemporary, wooden Andamanese-style cottages are strung around a tropical garden, the best of them vibrantly coloured and…
Kovalam
Seek out a family-style stay at this peach-orange, efficiently run modern home surrounded by greenery, down a dirt path just five minutes' walk inland…
Maharashtra
Set off the highway, close to the Karla–Bhaja access point, this large resort in a rural location attracts weekending Mumbai families thanks to its water…
North Goa
This wonderful villa, ideal for families or groups looking to book the whole place, is uber exclusive. It’s a spacious, stunning refurbished Portuguese…
Northern Kerala
Around 10km northwest of Payyanur and 5km southwest of Ayitti Jetty, this tranquil homestay, sandwiched between a near-empty golden-sand beach and the…
Mumbai (Bombay)
‘Palace’ is pushing it slightly, but this modern, brilliantly located little place is certainly a comfortable choice with its contemporary decor: neutral…
Varkala
This intimate, romantic and elegantly understated boutiquey retreat just inland from southern Papanasham Beach revolves around four bright, spacious rooms…
Kochi (Cochin)
Behind a red-and-white facade, this branch of the Goan Hostel Crowd chain is just west of the Customs jetty. The nautical theme is a characterful touch;…
North Goa
This loungy upmarket party place has a cool location looking out on the lake-like mouth of the Chapora River, and is the new home of Thalassa restaurant…
South Goa
With its purple and mauve muslin curtains and Arabian nights ambience, H2O is among the most impressive of Agonda’s luxury cottage setups. From the hotel…
Varkala
Varkala's flashiest hotel, the hillside Taj-Group Gateway is all gleaming linen and mocha cushions in smart contemporary rooms overlooking manicured…
South Goa
Woven into the palms on peaceful Galgibag Beach, this hut village has something for everyone with Rajasthani safari tents, round African-style huts,…
Kannur
The six rooms tucked into this 19th-century rust-red heritage home are enormous and filled with antique furniture, but most guests come for the Mappila …
Vivanta by Taj Holiday Village
North Goa
The Taj’s garden complex comprises 142 cottages and villas in a smart variation on a five-star theme, with all the luxuries you’d expect from this top-end…
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
The Aria could not be more centrally located, with the Trendset Mall and cinema complex across the road. Rooms are not quite as hip as they look on the…
Kochi (Cochin)
Escape the Kochi crowds at this peaceful waterside homestay and expansive garden in the village of Kumbalanghi, 13km south of Fort Cochin. Tidy rooms are…
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
A colourful heritage spot with 14 comfy, quiet and spacious rooms, some sporting semi-open bathrooms, most with splashes of original modern art. A few are…
Coloniale Heritage Guest House
Puducherry (Pondicherry)
This leafy colonial-era haven with six comfy rooms (some up steep stairs) is crammed with character thanks to the owner's impressive collection of gem…
South Goa
Bollywood stars and sheikhs are known to stay at the Taj Exotica, one of Goa’s plushest and priciest resorts. Set in 23 hectares of tropical gardens 2km…
Andaman Islands
Set against a verdant jungle backdrop, 1.5km northwest of Chidiya Tapu village, Wild Grass' smart, modern cottages have an eas-ygoing ambience; best are…
North Goa
D’Mello’s has grown up from small beginnings, but is still family-run and occupies four buildings around a lovely garden just back from the beach. The…
North Goa
At the southern end of Mandrem Beach, overlooking the creek, Riverside is an excellent, two-level open-sided restaurant with a collection of well-designed…
Pune
In a quiet residential location in Koregaon Park, Pune's edition of Bombay Backpackers features six- and 10-bed dorms, a basement common area and kitchen,…
South Goa
Probably the swankiest resort on the beach strip north of Colva, the sprawling 18-hectare ITC Grand (formerly Park Hyatt) dominates the Arossim beach area…
Mumbai (Bombay)
An intriguing place to stay inside Juhu’s lively Iskcon complex. Though the hotel building is a slightly soulless concrete block, some rooms enjoy vistas…
Kerala
Fresh on the Marari scene at research time, this charmingly personal guesthouse-hotel sits 1km inland from the beach, with five smart, modern cottages and…
Munnar
If you want to be immersed in lush tea plantations but still close to town, Zina is the budget choice. While it looks slightly run-down, this fading, rose…
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