Vast, diverse, and colorful, India’s landscapes are steeped in centuries of culture and tradition, from snow-capped mountains to verdant floodplains. The country’s best resorts, favored by discerning iBestTravel readers, not only highlight a storied past but also serve as serene retreats, complete with top-notch service and hospitality.
How Voting Works
Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel seeks input on travel experiences from around the globe. Readers share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 readers completed the 2023 survey, representing an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties.
Hotels were classified into categories such as resort hotel, city hotel, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities. They were specifically rated on the following criteria:
- Rooms/facilities
- Location
- Service
- Food
- Value
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
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What Readers Loved
Rajasthan — the largest state in northwestern India, known for its desert landscape, tiger reserves, and grand palace hotels — dominated the survey. Three of the reader picks are located in Udaipur, a city rich in imposing forts and intricately carved lakeside temples. The Oberoi Udaivilas was ranked as No. 2 in the country, followed by the Leela Palace Udaipur. One reader praised the “beautiful view of Lake Pichola” from the 80-room Leela Palace, while another highlighted the spa’s exceptional quality.
Built in the middle of Lake Pichola and only accessible by boat, the 83-room Taj Lake Palace was ranked No. 5 on this competitive list. One ardent fan noted that this jewel box of a property should be visited “at least once” in a lifetime, describing the hotel’s three restaurants as impressively delicious.
Meanwhile, in Agra, the Oberoi Amarvilas maintained its position at No. 4, primarily due to its enviable location facing the iconic Taj Mahal. One guest at Oberoi Amarvilas remarked, “The view from every room was mesmerizing. We’d definitely return multiple times.”
The Winner
Wildflower Hall, an Oberoi Resort, Shimla: Shimla, India
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Sitting high at 8,251 feet in the foothills of the Himalayas, Wildflower Hall, the former residence of Lord Kitchener, offers breathtaking mountain views. With 85 spacious rooms, incredible dining options, and a serene cedar forest setting, the property’s attention to detail and exemplary service stand out.
The amount of care and attention provided at Wildflower Hall is truly exceptional.
— iBestTravel Reader
The Full List
1. Wildflower Hall, an Oberoi Resort, Shimla: Shimla, India
Reader Score: 97.03
2. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur: Udaipur, India
Reader Score: 97.02
3. The Leela Palace Udaipur: Udaipur, India
Reader Score: 96.80
4. The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra: Agra, India
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 95.60
5. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur: Udaipur, India
Reader Score: 95.11
