Best Resorts in India: A Journey through Luxury
What traveler hasn’t fantasized about staying in a domed palace, where one’s needs are attended to in the most thorough yet subtle manner? At the best resorts in India, such dreams can become a reality. Each year for the World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel asks readers to evaluate their travel experiences globally, sharing opinions on the top hotels, resorts, and more. Hotels are rated based on rooms and facilities, service, food and drink, location, and overall value. Udaivilas, the Oberoi’s landmark property in the charming lakeside town of Udaipur, has been a consistent favorite for the past decade and was named the top hotel in the world last year. This year, it tops our debut Best in India list.
Readers were captivated by the exceptional blend of Oberoi’s legendary service—“If you want to feel like royalty, this is the place for you,” one respondent noted—and the property’s stunning location on Lake Pichola. Encompassing 50 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, the resort was designed to reflect Rajasthan’s Mughal history, featuring grand chandeliers, floral murals, and mirrored inlay. Oberoi properties performed impressively overall, with four of the five best resort hotels in India being part of the brand.
No. 5: The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
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Score: 94.19
No. 4: Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
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Score: 94.56
No. 3: The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur
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Score: 95.45
No. 2: The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore
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Score: 96.63
No. 1: The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Score: 96.76
The Oberoi Udaivilas’ fairy-tale-like domes and corridors reflect the beauty of Udaipur, which is set around seven main lakes. The rooms, the largest in the city, range from 600 to 2,650 square feet. Guests can enjoy a dramatic, black-and-white checkered pool, alongside an expansive spa specializing in Ayurvedic treatments. Additionally, sunset boat trips on the lake and private tours of Udaipur’s historical sites offer memorable experiences. “The rooms (especially those with private swim-up pools) are spectacular,” one reader shared. “Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s worth every penny.”
