You'll have a royal time

An early morning boat ride on a river that has drawn millions to her banks since the dawn of history; a five-course dinner under the stars in a desert palace steeped in heritage and political intrigue, with a private butler by your side; the sight of a majestic tiger from the comfort of your five-star luxury tent inside a national park; or a soothing ayurvedic massage against the dramatic backdrop of the Indian Ocean…

Whatever your idea of a perfect vacation, India has enough to satiate your mind. With more affluent travellers visiting regularly, India has become the land of luxury holidaymakers. It is all about a bespoke experience where you throw yourself into the lap of luxury and enjoy a holiday that you can treasure through your lifetime.
Here’s our list of some of the destinations that will offer you the perfect balance of heritage and hospitality.

Desert resorts

The Oberoi Udaivilas Where: Udaipur, Rajasthan
In the city of resplendent palaces and serene lakes, Udaivilas admirably arrests the legendary spirits of Udaipur. According to Forbes.com, it has been voted as one of the world’s most exclusive hotels in 2009. Run by Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, the interiors of the hotel are adorned with imposing domes, lush courtyards, hand-painted frescoes, and elegant artworks, which together create the perfect magic of grand Rajasthan.
Go there for: With panoramic views of Lake Pichola, the luxe spa at Udaivilas takes you to a world of pampering and relaxation. While in Udaivilas indulge in some therapies in a splendid ambience and revitalize your body and soul. Enjoy sumptuous international and Indian cuisine at the restaurants under the breathtaking backgrounds of the City Palace compound and the lakes.
Celebrity guests: Tony Blair lunched here with IndianPrime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. Madonna and her ex-husband Guy Ritchie also stayed here.

Rambagh PalaceWhere: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Combining the architectural influences of the Rajputanaand Mughal periods, Rambagh Palace stands testimony to the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan. Once the residence of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and his glamorous wife Rajmata Gayatri Devi, it was converted into India’s first palace hotel in 1957. In 1972 Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces took over the management of the palace.
The accommodation comprises 90 rooms including the Presidential Suryavanshi Suite. Overlooking the Rambagh gardens and designed with antique furniture and large French windows, the Suryavanshi suite lets you relive the magnificent lives of the Maharajas. The interiors of the Peacock Suite symbolise the dynamic colours of Rajasthan.
Go there for: The dedicated butlers of the hotel can arrange unforgettable palace experiences for your family. To help
you experience the lives of polo-playing princes of Rajasthan, the hotel can also organise the royal sport
of polo on request.
Celebrity guests: Michael Douglas, Calvin Klein, Nicola Bulgari and Russell Brand.

Umaid Bhawan Palace Where: Jodhpur, Rajasthan
The winner of the Gallivanter’s Guide Editor’s Choice Award 2009, Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the world’s largest private residences. Built between 1928 and 1942, this sprawling yellow sandstone monument is known for the marvellous fusion of British architect H.V Lanchester’s art deco influences and Rajasthan’s architectural designs. The interior of the palace is graced with the fascinating murals of the self-exiled Polish artist Stefan Norblin. Run by Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Umaid Bhawan features 64 regal rooms and suites, with the recently renovated Maharani and Maharaja suites offering private couple spa treatment facilities.
Go there for: To escape the sizzling heat of Rajasthan, indulge in one of the cool treatments at the Jiva Grande
Spa at Umaid Bhawan Palace. As a guest of the hotel, you can visit the private museum, dine within 15 acres of candlelit palace grounds and try your hand at squash on the marbled courts.
Celebrity guests: Prince Charles, Bill and Melinda Gates, Madonna, Mick Jagger, Sting and Trudy Sumner. The palace hosted the wedding of Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar.

Taj Lake Palace Where: Udaipur, Rajasthan
Located on Lake Pichola, the Taj Lake Palace is a sight to behold on a moonlit night — the white marble monument virtually floats on the pristine waters of the lake. The James Bond film Octopussy (1983) was shot here. The design and interior of each room and suite is unique, capturing a different mood and period of history. The hotel’s charming mix of the rustle of silk drapes, vibrant murals, and exquisitely carved wood furniture transports guests to an era of regal opulence.
Go there for: Right from the airport transfer in a vintage car to the arrival at the palace by a boat, to a grand welcome with a shower of petals, every moment of your stay is made special by trademark Taj hospitality. Try the grand Rajasthani cuisine at the restaurants or, for a romantic dining experience, ask the hotel to arrange a dinner by the Lily Pond.
Celebrity guests: Queen Elizabeth and Nicole Kidman.
Forest retreats

The Oberoi Vanyavilas
Where: Ranthambore, Rajasthan
If you fancy the sight of majestic tigers in the midst of jungle luxury, you probably can’t ask for a better place than The Oberoi Vanyavilas, located adjacent to the Ranthambore National Park. According to the 15th-annual reader survey of the Travel + Leisure magazine, Vanyavilas has been voted the best hotel in the world in 2010. All the accommodation  in the resort is in the form of elegantly designed luxury tents, spread over the 20-acre complex.
Each tent includes a private terrace around its perimeter and is surrounded by a traditional Rajasthani mud wall. The tent comprises a permanent wall with a timber floor and a roof made of a three-layered canvas. To recreate the mystery of jungle and wildlife inside the tent, the innermost canopy carries the motifs of tigers and trees and the upholstery and furnishing materials are also inspired from the colours of forests.

Go there for: To provide you with a lifetime experience of viewing the royal predators in their natural habitat, the resort arranges daily jungle drives to Ranthambore National Park, one of India’s finest wildlife parks. If you really want to immerse yourself in the environment, go for a lecture or a film and talk on wildlife at the resort by Fateh Singh,
a well-known naturalist and former chief conservator of the reserve. Or just go for a nature walk with one of the resort’s team members for a closer look at the resort’s flora and fauna. If you are not in the mood for adventure, laze around your private terrace and enjoy the tranquillity of the forest.

Celebrity guests: Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, supermodel Cynthia Hammond and Sir Mick Jagger.

Beach resorts

The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach
Where: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Perched on a cliff-top, the spectacular resort is spread over 44 acres of land. All rooms in the property enjoy marvellous views of sea, beaches and landscaped gardens. Designed by Carl Ettensperger, the interiors of the rooms have elements highlighting the authenticity of Kerala.
Go there for: If you are looking for some exclusivity, the hotel can arrange private butlers for you who can take care of all your needs including sight seeing, spa bookings, culinary interests and sports. In Kerala, if you don’t try its traditional ayurvedic massages, you are definitely missing out. The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach has a spa that focuses exclusively on exotic ayurvedic treatments. The 8,000-square feet Divya spa consists of eight spa rooms, each promising astounding views of the sea. The area is a completely sanitised zone and includes a green house for organically grown ayurveda plants.
Celebrity guests: Azim Premji, Chairman of Wipro

Mountain resorts

Ananda in the Himalayas
Where: Tehri- Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Rated the world’s best destination spa by Conde Nast Traveller for three consecutive years, Ananda In the Himalayas is nestled in the scenic foothills of the mountain, and the resort specialises in India’s ancient arts of yoga, meditation and ayurveda. It boasts a sprawling 24,000 square feet super luxe spa, which combines the healing practices of the East and the West with focus on ayurveda and aromatherapy.

Go there for: Check into this resort just to relax and rejuvenate your body with the help of its therapeutic treatments and at the end create a perfect harmony between your mind, body and soul. Ananda also offers several outdoor adventure options including trekking, white water rafting and nature walks. Ananda’s six-hole, par-three golf course incorporates an independent driving range, perfect for private lessons.

Wildflower Hall
Where: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Located at 8,250 feet above sea level the resort is spread over 22 acres of dense woods at the Himalayan mountain range in Charabra. Noted for its holistic treatments, Wildflower Hall is the abode of tranquillity and solitude. The silence of this resort is broken only by birdsong and the rustle of pine and cedar.
Go there for: Other than the wellness programmes and enriching yoga and meditation sessions, if you want to go for some adventure sport ask the resort to arrange white river rafting, trekking, mountain biking and horse riding for you.

Celebrity guests: Sachin Tendulkar, Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Vadhera.