Best Indian Hotels – At Xplro.com, we believe that luxury travel in India isn’t just about the destination—it’s about the experience that unfolds around every corner. From floating palaces to Himalayan hideaways, our team has personally explored some of the most iconic 5-star hotels in India, each offering a story worth telling.

In this handpicked list, we spotlight India’s best luxury hotels that blend royal heritage, impeccable service, and unforgettable settings. Whether you’re dreaming of a romantic retreat, a wellness escape, or a deep dive into India’s regal past, these five properties are among the finest places we’ve ever stayed—and we can’t wait to share the experience with you.

Quick Comparison By Xplro: Top 5 Indian Luxury Hotels

1. The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

With meticulously landscaped terraced gardens and grand reflecting pools, the ambiance evokes timeless royal elegance. Guests can indulge in personalized spa treatments or dine beneath the stars with the iconic Taj as their backdrop, creating an experience that’s both luxurious and unforgettable.

Why It Stands Out:

• Every room offers a direct view of the Taj Mahal.
• Golf carts chauffeur guests to the Taj entrance.
• Classical music, candlelit dinners, and traditional dance performances add to the magic.

Perfect for: Romantic getaways, history lovers, destination weddings.

Xplro Experience:

• Golf buggy drop-offs made reaching the Taj incredibly convenient.
• The candlelit dinner by the reflecting pool was a moment we’ll never forget.
• The in-house classical musicians added magic to the evenings.

This is where luxury meets heritage, ideal for couples, history buffs, or first-time visitors to Agra.

2. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

Steeped in regal history, the palace combines old-world grandeur with contemporary luxury, offering guests an immersive royal experience. From vintage car rides to guided heritage walks through private museum halls, every moment at Umaid Bhawan Palace is a journey into India’s royal legacy.

Highlights:

• Voted among the best hotels in the world by multiple travel magazines.
• Offers vintage car rides and heritage walks.
• You’ll feel like royalty the moment you step into its marble halls.

Perfect for: Luxury seekers, royal enthusiasts, honeymooners.

Xplro Highlights:

• Our suite overlooked Jodhpur’s blue city—unforgettable at sunset.
• The vintage car tour of the palace grounds was straight out of a classic film.
• The museum inside the property gave us a deeper understanding of Jodhpur’s regal past.

If you want to sleep like royalty, this is your palace.

3. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

Each suite is adorned with silk drapes, antique furniture, and hand-painted murals, immersing guests in timeless elegance. During Xplro’s stay, gliding across the lake at sunset and dining under starry skies felt like stepping into a royal fairytale.

Unique Features:

• Rooms decorated with stained glass, crystal, and silk fabrics.
• Candlelit rooftop dinners with panoramic lake views.
• The hotel’s boat will pick you up like a scene from a Bollywood film.

Perfect for: Destination weddings, romantic escapes, photography lovers.

Xplro Review: Best Indian Hotels

• The rooftop dining under candlelight had a cinematic charm.
• Each corridor felt like a gallery—ornate ceilings, mirrored mosaics, rich textures.
• The staff remembered our preferences, right down to our preferred tea blend.

This hotel isn’t just luxury—it’s romance, art, and intimacy combined.

4. The Leela Palace, Udaipur

Each suite features intricate Rajasthani craftsmanship, plush furnishings, and panoramic lake views that elevate the stay into a royal experience. Xplro.com’s team was especially impressed by the personalized butler service and the tranquil spa pavilion overlooking the water—every detail whispered elegance.

Exclusive Experiences:

• Outdoor jacuzzi facing the mountains.
• Guided nature walks and yoga pavilions.
• Colonial-style rooms with wooden flooring and fire-lit evenings.

Perfect for: Nature lovers, solo travelers, romantic honeymoons.

What Makes It Special:

• Private plunge pools in suites.
• Personal butler service for every room.
• Spa therapies inspired by Indian rituals.

Perfect for: Wellness vacations, family retreats, celebratory stays.

5. Wildflower Hall, Shimla

The interiors echo colonial elegance—think teakwood floors, antique furnishings, and crackling fireplaces that make chilly evenings cozy and memorable. During Xplro’s stay, the outdoor jacuzzi overlooking the Himalayas was a standout moment, blending luxury with the raw beauty of nature.

Exclusive Experiences:

• Outdoor jacuzzi facing the mountains.
• Guided nature walks and yoga pavilions.
• Colonial-style rooms with wooden flooring and fire-lit evenings.

Perfect for: Nature lovers, solo travelers, romantic honeymoons.

Why We Loved It:

• We soaked in the outdoor jacuzzi with views of snow-capped peaks.
• Forest hikes guided by naturalists offered rich insight into local ecology.
• Evenings by the fireplace with hot chocolate felt like a page from a novel.

If you’re looking to unplug and rejuvenate, this is the place to breathe again.

Amenities Snapshot from Our Stays

Final Thoughts from the Xplro Team

These hotels are more than just stunning properties—they represent India’s soul wrapped in silk, stone, and hospitality. Each of our stays left us inspired, amazed, and deeply connected to the region’s story.

If you’re curating a trip or dreaming of destinations that offer luxury with substance, these five will deliver. Trust us—we’ve been there, and we’d go again in a heartbeat.

At Xplro.com, we don’t just recommend places—we live the experience ourselves. From royal palaces to peaceful hideaways, every hotel on our list brings something extraordinary. You’ll enjoy warm service, authentic charm, and unforgettable comfort. Whether it’s a romantic escape or a cultural journey, these hotels truly stand out. Their design, food, and heritage speak louder than words. Ready to explore India’s finest luxury stays with Xplro.com? Let’s begin.

FAQs

1. Which is the best luxury hotel in India near the Taj Mahal?

• The Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra is widely considered the best. Xplro team visited and loved its uninterrupted Taj Mahal views, heritage design, and proximity (just 600 meters) to the monument.

2. What makes Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur so special?

• Floating on Lake Pichola, it offers a unique romantic escape. During our stay, arriving by boat and dining under the stars made it an unforgettable experience.

3. Is Umaid Bhawan Palace still a royal residence?

• Yes, it’s one of the world’s few hotels that are also home to a royal family. The Xplro team explored both its guest suites and private museum during our heritage trip.

4. Which hotel in India is ideal for a honeymoon?

• Taj Lake Palace and The Leela Palace Udaipur are top picks. Both deliver privacy, candlelight dinners, and stunning backdrops perfect for newlyweds.

5. Are there any luxury hotels in the Himalayas?

• Absolutely! Wildflower Hall in Shimla is our favorite. Perched at 8,000 feet, it offers spa experiences and forest trails for a peaceful mountain retreat.

6. Which Indian hotel offers views of the Taj Mahal from every room?

• Only The Oberoi Amarvilas guarantees this. From sunrise tea to moonlit dinners, the Taj feels like part of your room at all times.

7. Do these hotels offer spa and wellness services?

• Yes, all five featured hotels have world-class spas. At The Leela Palace Udaipur, we indulged in Ayurvedic therapies that felt deeply rejuvenating.

8. How much does it cost to stay at these luxury hotels in India?

• Prices vary by season, but expect ₹30,000–₹1,00,000+ per night. Book in advance or during off-peak months to find the best deals.

9. Are these hotels suitable for family vacations?

• Definitely. Umaid Bhawan and The Leela Palace offer spacious suites, kid-friendly activities, and personalized concierge services ideal for families.

10. Is there a dress code at Indian luxury hotels?

• While not strict, smart casuals are preferred in restaurants. At royal properties like Umaid Bhawan, dressing up adds to the charm of the experience.

11. Can non-guests dine at these hotels?

• Yes, most of these hotels welcome outside guests for dining. We recommend reserving in advance, especially for rooftop or lake-facing dining spots.

12. Which Indian hotel is best for destination weddings?

• Taj Lake Palace leads the list. Its picturesque location, boat arrival, and heritage charm make it a dream venue—we witnessed one while staying there!

13. Do these hotels offer airport transfers?

• Yes, all five provide luxurious airport pickups, often in vintage or chauffeur-driven cars. Some, like The Leela Palace, also arrange boat arrivals.

14. Is it safe for solo travelers to stay in these hotels?

• Absolutely. Xplro’s solo experiences at Wildflower Hall and Amarvilas were welcoming and safe, with attentive staff and secured premises.

15. Which hotel has the best view among the top five?

• It depends on what you love—Taj Mahal at Amarvilas, Himalayan peaks at Wildflower Hall, or Lake Pichola at Taj Lake Palace—but all are breathtaking in their own way.