Far-flung escapes, forgotten fortresses and palaces still inhabited by royal households – we've selected six off-the-beaten-path Indian hotels that promise an immersion in the country's diverse culture and craft traditions. From walls decorated by talented rural artisans in historic designs, to private dinners in secret passageways that run under an ancient castle and princesses reviving their 200-year-old home to spotlight the country's heritage like you've never seen it before, this is your opportunity to discover India away from the usual tourist hotspots.
6 Hotels Indian Hotels Off the Beaten Track
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For a country as big as India, it is easy to spend years just discovering its well-trodden tourist destinations. These off-the-beaten-track luxury Indian hotels are for those looking to discover an India that's still untouched by time.
Nestled in the sacred Himalayan mountain ranges, where hermits and sages have long sought solace and enlightenment, one of the most well-known wellness retreats of the country effectively uses the oxygenated mountain air, medicinal Himalayan plants and the ancient Ayurvedic methods to heal the mind, body, and soul.
And Ananda in the Himalayas has the reputation of an uber-luxury wellness retreat for a reason. It is housed in the estate of the erstwhile king of Tehri Garhwal, where the rooms are either inside the historical palace or overlooking the serene Ganges river. Either way, you are in for a visual treat. The discreet staff caters to Bollywood celebrities and international royals, ensuring privacy and luxury. With customised wellness sessions, tailored meals, and holistic therapies, Ananda imbues you with vitality that lingers with you for a long time even after you have left.
Connecting two capital cities – Delhi and Jaipur – that are pary of India's famous Golden Triangle that attracts tourist form around the world (the third city is Agra, home to the Taj Mahal), a backroad off the highway leads to Alila Fort Bishangarh. Driving past the farmlands and tiny villages, you will encounter a towering castle perched atop a hill and you'd be forgiven to think its straight out of an episode of fantasy TV show, The House of Dragons.
Alila Fort Bishangarh is a 230-year-old warrior fortress guarding the little village of Bishangarh below. From the ochre exterior façade outside that draws its colour from the locally mined stone and small punctures on the walls, it is difficult to imagine that this could be one of the most luxurious heritage properties off the tourist trail; after traipsing thorough arid mountains and navigating boulder-strewn pathways jutting out from the hills in a maze you find refuge at Alila Fort's elegant suites that are true sanctuaries.
Large round bathtubs in pink marble are the focal points of the expansive suites dotted with several lounging area, a minibar and French coffee press that will make you forget that you are in the midst of a tiny village. Outside, you can choose from sumptuous picnics, hot air balloon experiences and workshops to try your hands at local crafts including carpet weaving and silversmithing. End your day on the rooftop at the Nazara restaurant, serving game-based dishes under a starry sky. This is really how Indian kings and queens used to live. alilahotels.com
Thakur Siddharth Singh, the nobleman of Rohet near Jodhpur, used to find solace amidst the dunes of western Rajasthan. He often spent evenings watching the sunset over the vast desert, wishing to share this remote part of the country with others. Mihirgarh is his passion project, a realisation of that dream. The nine-room Relais & Châteaux property rises from the sand like a fairytale castle. From a distance, it resembles the riads of Marrakech, but inside, it tells a story of traditional Indian heritage arts and crafts. Rashmi Singh, Siddharth Singh's wife, gathered a team of local artisans to create appliqué-work curtains, hand-tufted rugs, mirrored cushions, lippan art fireplaces and wall motifs inspired by the rural houses surrounding the property.
This remote Indian hotel is centred around a courtyard with a temple, library, lounge, and private dining terraces. During your time at Mihirgarh, enjoy a private safari chasing blackbucks, horse riding, guides tours of the local village and learn about local traditions like opium distilling (now replaced by black tea). In the evening you will return to the sound of temple bells and the glow of hundreds of candles and lanterns lighting up Mihirgarh. As you watch the sun set into the dunes beside the infinity pool you’ll see exactly the same view that Siddharth Singh fell in love with and wanted to share with the world: Peaceful nothingness lit up by the golden glow of countless diyas (traditional Indian oil lamps). houseofrohet.com
A 30-minute detour from the Ranthambore National Park, known for its tiger sightings, India's first Six Senses property is in the ramparts of a 700-year-old hunting fortress. After a 10-year-long design and restoration process, Six Senses Fort Barwara is now a sought-after destination hotel for well-heeled travellers. It also has one of the most expensive hotel suites in the country, the Raja Man Singh Suite. You can pick any of the 48 suites, each furnished with Indo-Mughal aesthetics and accessorised with the modern luxury of the Six Senses brand, from temperature-controlled toilet seats to light sensor curtains.
Outside the rooms are enough nooks and crannies for an immersive culinary, cultural, or architectural experience. At the Six Senses Fort Barwara, you start your day with a healing meditation session with sound therapy. A heritage specialist can take you for a walk along the centuries-old fort walls, explaining the history of the place. In the evening, the ancient royal temple inside the fort can arrange a prayer and blessing ceremony. If you request a private dinner for two, the property will arrange an unforgettable experience inside the fort's underground passageways and tunnels, kept hushed for exclusive guests. Discover this mini palace that a mini evokes the grandeur of India's majestic past.
This isn't your usual detour from the highway to take a country road. Instead, drive for miles within the forests of western India in Gir, Gujarat, jolting your car to the occasional roar of a lion or yielding to deer crossing your path. Aramness is deep within the sal forests of Sasan Gir National Park in Gujarat, India. The property is owned by Jimmy Patel, a wildlife conservationist, and is built like an African-style safari lodge with a distinctly Gujarati character.
The suites of Aramness are called havelis (mansions) with their own courtyard, private pool, and terraces, all built in vernacular style. Furniture, walls, artefacts, and décor are inspired by the surrounding small villages. At this remote hotel in India, the designers brought together the practices of decorating modest rural Indian homes that've been lost to modern living. Adaptive reuse is a primary concept here: the wooden carved doors are sourced from ancient havelis, the blocks that decorate the suites were once used for printing textiles and tribal beads are reimagined a decorative objects. Read more about this haven for slow living.
This isn't your usual run-of-the-mill luxury hotel in India. A three-hour drive from the city of Kolkata, Belgadia Palace is the former royal guest house of the Bhanj dynasty. With profound emotional and historical ties to the area, Mrinalika and Akshita M. Bhanjdeo, the 48th royal generation, have transformed it into an enabler for culture and art promoting what they call "purposeful travel." Its whimsical 18th-century Greco-Victorian architecture gives it an instant Wes Anderson movie vibe.
The property does not miss any chance to showcase the ingrained cultural values of eastern India. It welcomes you with rows of mango orchards and a terracotta amphitheatre used for classical performances, as an ode to depict modern relevance to ancient building materials dating way back to pre-medieval civilisations that thrived in this area.
Belgadia Palace isn’t just a historical palace repurposed into a hotel; it is still the current royal residence where the family lives, hence the level of personalisation is unsurprising. As you pass the ballroom, ancient royal portraits smile back at you. Decorated with antiques, artwork, or souvenirs from the royal family's travels, it’s a sneak peek into the lives and history of the Bhanj Royals.
Plan a 3-4 day trip to fully enjoy the activities, including a trip to Simlipal National Park, known for its wild elephants, tigers, orchids, and Simlipal honey. Spend some time learning about the local Sabai weaving craft that transforms grass into mats, coasters, and baskets for sustainable home accessories. The Dhokra non-ferrous metal art, a tradition spanning thousands of years, is also showcased here. The property will arrange the Mayurbhanj Chhau for every guest, a unique blend of dance and martial arts native to Mayurbhanj and patronised by the royal family. thebelgadiapalace.com
