Royal Retreats

This 350-year-old fort-palace of the Bundelas in the heart of India is finally open after a long and meticulous restoration. Set atop the Maniyagarh Hills overlooking a rainwater-fed lake and the sprawl of the Panna Tiger Reserve — not to mention a mere 20-minutes’ drive from the UNESCO World Heritage temples of Khajuraho Group of Monuments — the palatial resort offers heritage, nature and bespoke luxury experiences in a tranquil setting. Featured in Time’s list of World’s Greatest Places 2026, the 65-key property offers accommodation with add-ons like private pools, terraces and gardens. Apart from suites and rooms in the palace wing, there are standalone villas and rooms spread across the 76-acre property. Of course, there’s a spa.

Tucked away inside Qila Mubarak, this jewel-like palace built in the eighteenth century has been taken over by THE Park Hotels, which, under Priya Paul’s watchful gaze, brings its elevated boutique aesthetic and signature ‘Anything But Ordinary’ experiences to the rugged landscape of Punjab. Qila Mubarak, built in 1763 by Baba Ala Singh, the first Maharaja of Patiala, and Ran Baas historically served as a guesthouse for the royal family’s esteemed visitors. Now, it is ready to welcome a new breed of guest — the discerning luxury traveller. Spread across three floors, the property offers 35 opulent suites and includes an all-day dining restaurant and a chic bar. THE Park Hotels has pulled off a hospitality coup with this one, blending heritage with all mod cons to create a truly contemporary experience.

The first Six Senses property in India is a stunner, a private sanctuary of 48 beautifully appointed luxury suites set inside a fourteenth-century Rajasthani fort, within kissing distance of Ranthambore National Park. The fort, which incorporates two palaces and two temples, has been sensitively restored and rewilded. Three restaurants offer innovative Rajasthani-inspired menus emphasising locally sourced ingredients. Six Senses is a brand built around wellness, and the spa here, located within the Zanana Mahal, does not disappoint, offering an innovative approach which blends the preventive approach of Eastern medicine with results-oriented Western influences.

Nestled on the banks of Chilika Lake in Odisha, this 200-year-old residence of the King of Khallikote underwent a six-year restoration — under the expert supervision of Channa Daswatte, a protégé of Geoffrey Bawa, who has built a slew of stylish properties in eastern India — to transform into a ravishing boutique property with just 16 keys. Done up in a low-key pink lime plaster, it offers a quiet getaway, the perfect retreat from the stresses of modern living. The rooms feature traditional Odia textiles and stately four-poster beds. Experiences include orchard-to-table dining (there’s everything from the best of Odia cuisine to trendy international fare), visits to sacred temples, sunset cruises, and some serious birdwatching.

Located at the foot of Shankaracharya Hill on Srinagar’s ‘tony’ Gupkar Road, this European-style villa built in the 1920s boasts a private orchard which extends all the way to Dal Lake and offers several walking trails. The private home of the royal family of Jammu & Kashmir, it features stately living areas, plush furnishings and the handcrafted khatamband ceilings typical of Kashmir. The kitchen serves royal Dogra, Kashmiri and Nepali dishes. With just eight rooms and suites, it does not get more exclusive than this.

With the rise of perfume tourism, Kannauj, India’s foremost centre of attar manufacturing since ancient times, has found its way into the bucket list of the international traveller chasing new and transformative experiences. What better place to stay than at the art deco Anand Bhawan Palace of the Raja of Tirwa, now managed by Taj Hotels under its amã Stays & Trails brand. With majestic corridors and sprawling suites, and a menu that features traditional Awadhi delicacies, this is a taste of the royal life, with a whiff of attar.

Once the summer retreat of the royals of Mewar, the Lake Palace is arguably the most romantic hotel in India. Today, guests flock to this intimate island palace in the middle of Lake Pichola to fulfil the travel dreams of a lifetime.

Sporting delicate marble latticework and lush Mughal gardens, this former guesthouse and hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Jaipur is a must-stay for visitors to the Pink City.

One of the largest private residences in the world, this stunning Art Deco palace was built as a work-for-food programme to provide sustenance to the citizens of the princely state of Jodhpur, which was reeling under a severe famine.

Set 609 metres above sea level and offering panoramic views of the city of Hyderabad, the Falaknuma — or ‘Mirror of the Sky’ — was built in the late 19th century and has now been revitalised by Princess Esra and run as a luxury hotel without peer.

This over 200-year-old palace is set right on the ghats of Varanasi, making it part of the city’s timeless fabric. Arrive by boat and immerse yourself in Varanasi’s legendary past.