(based on listings from the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards and the Michelin Guide Key Hotels list)
1, Rambagh Palace, Jaipur (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
Once the royal residence of the Maharajas of Jaipur, Rambagh Palace dates to 1835 and later became the primary residence of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. Wikipedia+2panindiatours.com+2 Spread across 47 acres of gardens, the palace-hotel offers 78 renovated heritage rooms and suites featuring hand-carved marble jalis, domed pavilions and Mughal-style gardens. indiatravel.com+1 Guests enjoy butler service, fine-dining at Suvarna Mahal, the Jiva Grande Spa, and vintage-car transfers – all combining to evoke regal living in the “Jewel of Jaipur”. panindiatours.com
2. The Imperial, New Delhi (New Delhi, Delhi)
Opened in 1936, The Imperial is one of New Delhi’s earliest grand hotels, located on Janpath within an eight-acre estate. 50B – Restaurants – GLOBAL+2Wikipedia+2 The architecture blends Art-Deco, Victorian and colonial design, with Italian marble floors, Persian carpets and a substantial art collection of over 5,500 Indo-European works. Wikipedia With 235 rooms and 44 suites, the hotel features fine dining venues like The Spice Route, a spacious spa and gardens, and is now part of the Leading Hotels of the World network. The Times of India
3. The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla (Shimla, Himachal Pradesh)
Set in the former summer capital of the British Raj, The Oberoi Cecil overlooks the town of Shimla and offers heritage-style luxury in the hills. oberoihotels.com Its interiors are reminiscent of Raj era elegance—wood-paneling, chandeliers, pillars—and many rooms offer valley views and snow-tipped peaks. shimlalive.com It features a heated indoor pool, children’s activity centre, and easy access to the Mall Road and colonial landmarks, making it a refined retreat with cool mountain air and timeless charm. shimlalive.com
4. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur (Udaipur, Rajasthan)
Floating like a marble fantasy on Lake Pichola, this 18th-century palace turned hotel is pure romance. www.ndtv.com+1 Built as the summer residence of the Mewar dynasty, the hotel features suites with silk drapes, ornate architecture and lakefront vistas. Guests arrive by private boat, dine in refined restaurants and enjoy spa rituals by the water. www.ndtv.com It earned the highest “Three Keys” distinction in India’s Michelin Key Hotels 2025 list for an extraordinary stay. www.ndtv.com
5. Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad (Hyderabad, Telangana)
Set atop a hill overlooking Hyderabad, Falaknuma Palace originally belonged to the Nizam and features Venetian chandeliers, English country-style wood panelling and sweeping city views. www.ndtv.com With just ~60 rooms and suites, this hotel offers intimate luxury, regal grandeur and bespoke butler service. It was one of India’s only two hotels in 2025 to receive the highest “Three Keys” rating by the Michelin Guide. www.ndtv.com
6. The Leela Palace, Jaipur (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
A newcomer compared with many heritage hotels, The Leela Palace Jaipur brings modern five-star luxury infused with Rajput and Mughal architectural motifs. It achieved high rankings in 2025. CN Traveller With ornate interiors, rich fabrics, panoramic views of the Pink City, and standards of service typical of The Leela brand, it appeals to luxury travellers seeking glamorous comfort in Jaipur’s royal ambience.
7. Fairmont Jaipur (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
Located on Jaipur’s outskirts, Fairmont Jaipur blends contemporary design with luxury hospitality. It ranked in the top 20 list for India in 2025. CN Traveller With expansive rooms, resort-style pools, spa and golf amenities, Fairmont offers a more resort-style complement to Jaipur’s heritage hotels — ideal for families and longer stays.
8. Six Senses Fort Barwara (Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan)
Housed in a restored 14th-century Rajput fort amidst wildlife-rich terrain, this Six Senses property stands out for architecture, seclusion and nature immersion. CN Traveller+1 Ranked among top Indian hotels in 2025, it offers fort-style suites, eco-luxury design, spa treatments, and direct access to wilderness experiences — a distinctive alternative to city hotels.
9. Aman i Khas, Ranthambhore (Ranthambhore, Rajasthan)
Nestled near the famous tiger reserve, Aman i Khas is a small luxury camp-style resort designed for immersive nature and wildlife stays. www.ndtv.com+1 With minimalist tents, high service levels and exclusivity, it offers comfort, privacy and safari-adventure hybrid experiences — a rising favourite for luxury eco-travel in India.
10. Amanbagh, Ajabgarh (Ajabgarh, Rajasthan)
Set in the Aravalli hills, Amanbagh blends Mughal-inspired design, luxury and seclusion. It earned a “Two Keys” rating from Michelin in 2025. www.ndtv.com+1 Featuring low-rise pavilions, wide desert-adjacent landscapes and immersive wellness options, Amanbagh appeals to travellers seeking understated luxury away from the city hustle.
11. Samode Haveli, Jaipur (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
This beautifully restored 19th-century mansion turned boutique hotel found its place in the 2025 top 20 list. CN Traveller With only 25-something rooms, frescoed walls, traditional decor and a quiet central location inside Jaipur, it’s ideal for travellers wanting a heritage-boutique experience rather than a full resort.
12. JW Marriott Hotel, Bengaluru (Bengaluru, Karnataka)
Located in the tech hub of Bengaluru and ranked among the top hotels of India in 2025 with a guest score of 96.24. CN Traveller With large modern rooms, meeting-and-events facilities, upscale restaurants, a full-service spa and pool, it’s a strong choice for business travellers or upscale stays in Bengaluru.
13. The Leela Palace, Chennai (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
Situated on the southern tip of Chennai by the Adyar Estuary and Marina Beach, this hotel features Chettinad-style architecture and luxury amenities. Wikipedia With 326 rooms and a design inspired by Tamil heritage merged with modern hospitality, is ideal for business and leisure stays alike in Chennai. It ranked #5 in India in the 2025 list (score 97.45). CN Traveller
14. ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New Delhi (New Delhi, Delhi)
An established luxury landmark in Delhi, ITC Maurya achieved a guest-score of 97.05 in the 2025 ranking. CN Traveller Known for opulent décor, fine dining including the well-known Bukhara restaurant, top-tier service and conference facilities, it suits both luxury travellers and high-end business stays.
15. The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
A lavish resort spread across 32 acres of desert-garden in Jaipur, The Oberoi Rajvilas ranked #4 in India in 2025 (score 97.72). CN Traveller With private pool-villas, lush lawns, traditional Rajasthani architecture and a serene setting, it is ideal for luxury leisure stays with a spa, golf-style lawns and cultural experiences.
16. The Oberoi, Mumbai (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
Located in Mumbai’s business and entertainment district, The Oberoi offers city-skyline views, luxury rooms and full-service amenities. It scored 95.49 in the 2025 ranking. CN Traveller With prime location, top restaurants, spa and rooftop access, it is a strong urban luxury stay in India’s commercial capital.
17. The Leela Palace, Jaipur (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
Already listed at #6 above, but noteworthy also because this property scored 96.23 (#9) in the 2025 list. CN Traveller (As we already described it, you may consider this as reinforcing its standing.)
18. The St Regis, Mumbai (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
Ranked #14 in India (score 93.85) in the 2025 survey. CN Traveller Positioned in Mumbai’s Lower Parel neighbourhood, this hotel offers luxury brand standards, refined interiors, wellness and leisure amenities and is well suited for style-conscious travellers in Mumbai.
19. RAAS Devigarh, Udaipur (Udaipur, Rajasthan)
This boutique heritage resort built atop a 17th-century fort above Udaipur, was ranked among India’s top hotels (one-Key list) in the Michelin Key Hotels list 2025. www.ndtv.com+1 With hillside views, 39 rooms or so hidden among fort walls, serene ambience and heritage design, it appeals to travelers wanting solitude, history and luxury.
20. Taj Mahal, New Delhi (New Delhi, Delhi)
A landmark hotel of the Taj Group in the capital, this property made the Michelin Key “one-Key” list for 2025. www.ndtv.com Boasting timeless architecture, mature gardens, luxury amenities and a reputation for high-end stays, it remains a dependable choice among India’s luxury hotels.
