My first trip to India was intense, chaotic, fascinating, and visually unforgettable. I found myself moving between temples, trains, colourful weddings, and cities filled with curiosity and contrast.
India has a unique relationship with luxury. Many of its finest hotels were once royal palaces before becoming hospitality icons, and what surprises most travellers is the value. A five-star hotel in Delhi can easily cost less than a budget hotel room in London or New York.
India is best understood through its contrasts: chaos and calm, poverty and luxury, spirituality and modernity, silence and noise. My route followed the classic Golden Triangle, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Udaipur, plus Varanasi, one of the country’s most sacred cities.
1. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
Often referred to as the “White City,” Udaipur is one of India’s most romantic destinations, a blend of Venetian charm and royal Rajasthan.
The Taj Lake Palace is a floating luxury hotel set within an 18th-century white marble palace in the middle of Lake Pichola. Accessible only by private boat, it offers round-the-clock butler service and a level of hospitality that feels truly regal.
The hotel is also famous for appearing in a James Bond film and for having welcomed guests such as Princess Diana. One of the highlights of my stay was watching the sunset from the terrace overlooking the lake and the magnificent City Palace, accompanied by live musicians and traditional performances.
And if you’re lucky, ask to see the Royal Suite where Dua Lipa stayed.
2. Villa Palladio, Jaipur
Villa Palladio is one of those places that feels almost too beautiful to be real.
Created by renowned Italian designer Matteo Boetti, this boutique hotel has quickly become a favourite among the international fashion and creative crowd. Every detail feels like a visual fantasy where India meets Italy: rich shades of pink and red inspired by Rajput palaces, geometric gardens, quiet courtyards, and interiors that feel like a film set.
Think Wes Anderson aesthetics, but with an authentically Indian soul.
With only nine rooms, Villa Palladio offers a far more intimate and artistic experience than Rajasthan’s grand palace hotels. It’s slightly removed from Jaipur’s main attractions, but that’s part of its charm. More than a base for sightseeing, it’s a destination in itself.
3. The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
Waking up, opening the curtains, and seeing the Taj Mahal emerging through the morning mist feels almost surreal.
The magic of Amarvilas lies in one extraordinary detail: every single room has a direct view of the Taj Mahal.
Located just a few hundred metres from India’s most iconic monument, the hotel offers electric buggy transfers for sunrise visits, making the experience both effortless and exclusive.
The gardens, fountains, terraces, and pool areas are beautifully cinematic, while the suites take luxury to another level. I had the chance to visit the Royal Suite, complete with a spectacular terrace and even a bathtub positioned to enjoy uninterrupted views of the Taj as its colours shift throughout the day.
The service? Pure maharaja treatment.
4. The Oberoi New Delhi
Delhi is where many journeys through northern India begin.
It’s a city that doesn’t charm through postcard-perfect beauty but through its intensity, history, and cultural significance. The traffic is relentless, the markets are vibrant, and the energy never seems to stop.
In that context, Delhi’s luxury hotels feel like true urban sanctuaries.
The Oberoi New Delhi overlooks Humayun’s Tomb and the greenery of Delhi Golf Club. Its culinary offerings are among the city’s finest, including Omya for contemporary Indian cuisine, Baoshuan for elevated Chinese dining, and 360° for international cuisine.
5. Taj Palace, New Delhi
One of Delhi’s most iconic luxury hotels, Taj Palace remains a classic.
Located within the diplomatic district and surrounded by lush gardens, it retains the grandeur of a traditional luxury hotel while serving as the backdrop for diplomatic events and some of India’s famously extravagant weddings, one of the country’s most fascinating luxury phenomena.
Its standout restaurants include Spicy Duck for Chinese cuisine, Orient Express inspired by the legendary European train, and Masala Art, known for its refined Indian dining experience.
After days spent exploring royal palaces and chaotic cities, Varanasi felt like entering another dimension altogether.
More spiritual, more intense, more raw. And definitely a story for another chapter.
