V) Charming Stays India's hotel landscape is a tightly woven When size molters, The Leela Palace New tapestry of style, comfort and luxury that is Delhi, in the cily's Diplomatic Enclave area, as varied as it is exuberant. Not content with delivers with rooms that are said to be among the usual amenities, the country's polished the largest in the city, and the Murano chan­ z hotel offerings step well outside the box with deliers, hand-carved elephants and miniature ladies-only floors, tents so embellished that they paintings adorning common areas blend in seem inspired by fairy tales, palaces still fit for nicely with top-of-the-line comforts. Other perks: royalty, countryside retreats that hark to another a huge ESPA spa, heated infinity pool on its era and B&Bs that offer a window into a more rooftop and whiskey and wine bar. o authentic, home-grown Indian experience. No visllor to New Delhi will leave without Above all, the hotels and resorts of Indio seem driving to Agra for a peek at the Taj Mohal. to have one thing in common: that inimitable ITe Mughal doesn't just offer views of the most Indian hospitality, coupled with the celebration famous of Indian landmarks, but also features of a beautiful culture. ITC Hotels' flagship and aword-winning Kayo Kalp-The Spa and just-as-decadent spa suites, City Escapes which come with private pools, treatment room Most of India's best-known hotel names-The and steam room. No longer do guests just leela, Taj. lTC, Oberai, The Claridges, to come to visit the Taj Mahal, just a short drive nome a few-hove mode their fame in the away from the hotel; the ITC Mughal's spa, cities. last year, New Delhi's shopping distriel says general manager San jay Sharma, has o welcomed The Oberoi, Gurgaon, an oasis "expanded the experience" of the destination, in the country's capitol. With a cigar lounge, with guests extending their stay to indulge in reflection pools and the city's first 24-hour spa, pomegranate sugar scrubs, Abhyanga mas­ the hotel is just the latest of many stars in the sage and other mind-and-body treats. Oberoi roster. It features opulent suites with pri­ Visitors heading easlto Kolkala will wont to vate heated pools, plus 24-hour butler service, consider Fortune Select Loudon, an upscale Clefs d'Or concierge service and Rolls Royce hotel in the heort of Kolkata but tucked away and BMW 7 series limousines. in a quiet street oway from the cily's busyness. One of the capitol city's landmark hOlels This posh properly is aimed at business travel­ is The Claridges, New Delhi, an elegant ers but pleases leisure visitors as well thanks to property of classically gorgeous rooms and contemporary services and furnishings made suiles, some with private terraces, plus popular for complete comfort. With a glillering pool, city gathering spats like The Vodka Bar and 24-hour room service and sleek, gold-tone a shopping arcade. Its newer sister, The decor in rooms and suites, guests can easily Ciaridges, Surajkund, Delhi, NCR, provides succumb to modern-day perks before and after more modern five-star accommodations and their days of sightseeing and exploration. The CJaridges Spa, complete with a yoga and In the northeast, the capital of the state meditation studio. of Sikkim welcomes one of Mayfair Hotels Another Delhi icon is The Imperial, built & Resorts' most enchanting properties: the in 1931. This restored colonial-style hotel Mayfair Gangtok. This colonial charmer tokes welcomes guests with Porlhault linens and well­ full advantage of Gongtok's high altitude and slocked minibars in rooms; ladies traveling on scenic beauly, with warm and inviting rooms their own have the option to choose on Eliza embraced by lush foliage and villas offering Room, with special amenities and a camero dipping pools in their balconies. Besides an right outside their door. Its new Imperial Spa array of fine dining options, there's also a provides the latest and most time honored of popular onsite casino here, plus a full-service therapies, and there ore in-house astrologers Pevonia Spa. Children have a playground, available for consultations. Yet beyond its ploy room and plenly of pool games to enjoy, hollowed history and legendary offerings, The while adults can also spend their time getting Imperial is equally known for its priceless art cozy in the library, mountain biking or trekking collection and guided art tours of the hotel are through the hills. easily arranged through its concierge. Of course, Mumbai is not without ils share 1-18 inCfedibieindia.org of formidable stays. Grand Hyatt Mumbai, in rooms and suites, plus an infinity pool that the Santacruz orea, provides all the trappings overlooks the city's skyline, wellness treatments of a Grand HyaH stay with a wealth of local at Spa Alilo and a leisure concierge ready to extras: a jogging track at the Club Oasis put together golf, hiking or culinary excursions. Fitness Centre & Spa, a wide array of Indian Families who want to vocation in true comfort and international dining choices and a two­ can choose one of the A/i/o Residences, story shopping center filled with top designer which feature lhree bedrooms, kitchen, library, stores. Besides highly enjoyable rooms and balcony and maid's quarters. suites with floor-lo-ceiling windows, the Grand After making a nome for itself with proper­ HyaH Mumbai has serviced apartments for ties in Goo, Kerala and Rajasthan, Vivonto by extended stays. Yet another unique plus to the Taj's new venture in Hyderobad, keeps build­ hotel: a collection of more than 100 com­ ing upon the brand's "cool luxury" concept missioned pieces of art, inspired by three and "contemporary, energetic and vivacious archaeological sites in the city. mist," according to Deepa Misra Harris, Taj The Leela Kempinski Mumbai morries Hotels Resorts and Palaces' senior v.p_ of sales business and leisure options well through baby­ and marketing. Another twist to the brand: Ko)-tl Kalp spa at Ire Mugha! Agla. sitting services, an expansive pool and acres each hotel offers a signature experience, of waterfalls and lotus ponds. Rooms and known as the Vivonfo Molif. At Vivanta by suites are overly comfortable, with guests who Taj-Begumpet, Hyderabad, this experience doily 4x4 vehicle safariS, and the occasional choose Royal Club accommodations enjoying tokes the form of exciting culinary journeys, elephant safari should one prefer. extra services such as roundtrip limo transfers, including a day-long Gourmet Tour guided Goa is also home to the small but charming a personalized butler, dedicated check-in and by the hotel's executive chef. And besides a Fort Tiracol Heritage Hotel, a former fortress -out counter, and access to the Royal Club wide variety of premium restaurants, there's of just seven rooms-named after each day of Lounge and its food and beverage selections. also on in-the-pool dining experience served the week-that tokes full advantage of its Por­ In Chennai, the busy capital of the state on glass tables. Its 181 rooms and suites are tuguese heritage and spectacular views of the of Tamil Nodu, the brand-new fTC Grand fully equipped with smart technology, and the Arabian Sea. Embellished with warm colors, Cholo boosts the lorgest ballroom in Indio, Deluxe Allure Suites provide dazzling views of roomy sundecks and an enchanting courtyard, hand-carved morble throughout the palatial the city's skyline. this inspiring getaway also lets guests use its lobby and expansive hi-tech rooms. like other speedboat to explore their surroundings. ITC properties, the ITC Grand Cholo also Jungle & Seaside Retreats Park Hotels, which has mode a mark in has a floor dedicated to accommodations for The different brands collectively known as Taj India with boutique properties in some of its ladies traveling by themselves, dubbed Eva Hotels Resorts and Palaces hove dramatically mast important cities, ventures out to Kerala's Rooms. These feature service from women meaked hotel choices in India and abroad backwaters with The Park on Vembanad butlers, enhanced security features like avail­ since their first, The Toj Moho/ Polace Hotel, Lake. This tiny place of just 10 rooms is big able screening of incoming calls and in-room Bombay, opened in 1903. These brands have on personality, with a pillow menu, elegant female-friendly amenities. And like the rest of also made !heir way to some of India's most furnishings and an entertainment deck for spe­ the brand's luxury hotels, it close", follows lTC's populor leisure destinations, including Kerala cial performances. Each stay here comes with credo of "Responsible Luxury"; all of its luxury and Goo_ Besides the luxury Taj properties, for a complimentary massage and a half-day rice hotels have been accorded the LEED Platinum instance, there's Taj Exotica, which focuses on boat cruise on the backwaters. In the future for rating thanks to a wide array of environmen­ resort-ond-spa experiences; Taj Exotica Goa Pork Hotels: properties in Jaipur, Kolkata, Pune tally friendly measures. overlooks the Arabion Sea and offers plenty and Kochi. In bustling Gandhinagor, in the western of outdoor activities in the form of cycling and Some of the state of Kerala's most extrava­ port of the country, there's the Cambay Spa baoting, on activity center for kids and an gont and beautiful stays are courtesy of KTDC & Golf Resort. Guests will find plenty of Ayurveda-focused Jivo Spa. Hotels & Resorts. Bolgotty Island Resort treatment options at the Orient Spa, a gaming There's also the Tai Safaris line, a joint in Kochi has rooms and lokefront cottages zone for kids and tennis courts, plus access to venture with andBeyond that features rustic­ plus an Ayurvedic center, with boating and a 9-hole course and a golf training academy.