A journey of renewal in northern India

Staying at the Oberoi Rajvilas in the Pink City of Jaipur feels like stepping into a serene, storybook vision of Rajasthan. Offering thoughtful service, privacy and a sense of peace that is rare so close to the Pink City, the property spreads across landscaped gardens, where peacocks strut between fountains and centuries-old trees. Rooms and villas come with carved arches, hand-painted frescoes and Mughal-inspired courtyards, while an original haveli, reimagined as a spa, is perfumed with essential oils and lit by flickering diyas.

Set among a former maharaja’s hunting grounds in the countryside two hours from Jaipur, and now reimagined with Aman’s signature pared-back elegance, Amanbagh is a place to steep yourself in the slow rhythms of rural Rajasthan. Its sweeping domes, sandstone colonnades and frangipani-shaded courtyards feel timeless, as if it has always belonged here. While there are endless options to divert yourself, on a tiger safari at nearby Sariska, exploring crumbling forts in the Aravalli Hills or enjoying sunrise yoga in the gardens, the real draw of Amanbagh is how the outside world recedes.

Set above a quiet bend of the Ganges outside Rishikesh, Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa offers a wonderful blend of Himalayan stillness and understated luxury. The retreat feels more like a private village than a resort—tiered stone-clad villas grace the hillside, each opening to views of the rushing river and forested ridges. Mornings begin with sunlight pouring over the peaks, best savoured with a cup of local chai on your balcony. Afternoons might be spent in the spa, where therapies draw from age-old Himalayan wellness traditions, or by the infinity pool, where the Ganges seems close enough to touch.

Aahana Resort, on the edge of Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, stands as one of northern India’s more sophisticated examples of responsible luxury. Close enough to Corbett to allow an early-morning tiger safari, this sustainably operated retreat is all about connecting with the rhythms of the natural world through Ayurvedic spa treatments using local botanicals, organic farm-to-table dining and forest bathing sessions. Thoughtfully designed stone facades, timbered verandas and wide picture windows open towards the forest, where the morning is greeted with the calls of hornbills and evening settles into the hum of the jungle.

Perched on a ridge in Kumaon with unbroken views of Nanda Devi and snowcapped Himalayan peaks, Nine Furlongs is a well-kept secret. The air is redolent with pine, and the quiet almost tangible, broken only by the calls of mountain birds and the occasional rustle of wind through the deodar trees. Once a colonial hunting lodge, it has been carefully restored without losing its rustic soul. Wide verandas frame snow-peaked horizons; evenings stretch out lazily in front of the fire with books, conversation and Kumaoni meals prepared with seasonal ingredients from the nearby villages. There’s an intimacy here, with only a handful of rooms, that makes every stay feel private and unhurried.

New Delhi’s Imperial Hotel, with its timeless charm, flawless service and outstanding central location, is the Indian capital’s most iconic hotel, hosting diplomats, celebrities, and the most discerning of travellers. From its marble lobby floors and private art collections to its manicured gardens, restaurants and enormous spa, everything is exactly as it should be. If you want–or are used to getting–the maharajah or maharani treatment, look no further than the Imperial.