Our travel-hungry souls cannot sit still in one place. We want to travel far into the desert across the oceans but don’t want to shy away from our luxuries. It’s funny how we want to enjoy the thrill of camping, but we can’t deal with a basic tent. We’d love an air conditioner in that too! And so, we want to be close to nature in a simple tree house or jungle lodge, but luxurious jungle lodges sound much better. It is not like this? We bring you a curated guide to the 10 wacky hotels across India that are simply outrageous in the sense of their luxuries that you need to stay in before they get too mainstream. If you are traveling to any of these places in India and see a hotel on this list that is located in that location, don’t hesitate and just book it. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime stay for one reason or another, and you’ll cherish the moments spent in the lap of outrageous luxury at these 10 hotels that haven’t quite gone mainstream yet.
1. Jawai Leopard Camp – Udaipur
Plan your jungle escape in the lap of this quirky camp in the Pali district of Udaipur Rajasthan. The site is an initiative to protect the Jawai leopard by creating a safe and conservative area with tailor-made leopard safari holidays and tours. With luxurious Swiss tents without compromising your comfort, the place offers the best glimpse of the surrounding natural beauty. The place is spread over 25 acres of lush green forest area. Do not confuse with the name because the place is not just for seeing leopards, there is much more to do in this Jungle Lodge.
The place is a beautiful blend of Rajasthani culture and wildlife. This is the ultimate tent living experience. You can choose from the different tent options according to your budget and get the experience of living in the midst of wildlife. Jawai represents a style that blends understated opulence with plenty of adventure. The camp has 9 luxurious tents and also a royal suite. Furthermore, the place stands proudly above granite formations, caves, kopjes, Anogeissus bushes and winding sandy riverbeds, making it one of the top 10 hotels in India. Live in style and luxury with Jowai Jungle Lodge!
Where: Pali district, Rajasthan
Things to do: stargazing, hikes, bird watching, campfire, farm tour, DJ night, night safari, Jawai dam backwater, sloth safari, adventure valley, water valley hikes, Tarzan Point, Crocodile Watching, Traditional Wellness & Fitness, Vintage Jeep Sunset Rides
2. Juna Mahal – Ranthambore
Juna Mahal Hotel defines what it feels like to live in luxury and style like royalty. If you want to take a little break and all you want to do is enjoy the warmth of a place and relax? then Juna Mahal is the place for you. It redefines luxury and makes it one of the top 10 hotels in India, but it’s still not mainstream enough to be crowded to disturb your peace. The place was formulated 7 years ago, epitome of a masterpiece that stands out for its Hospitality, Services, Luxury, Comfort, Design and Architecture.
The place offers nothing less than the best! What is so special and best about the property is the fact that it has been conceptualized with the ‘Green Building Model’, which is eco-friendly in nature and has been made from recycled material. The fusion of architecture with the traditional design style of a grand Havelis, the ancient custom made wooden pillars along with the ancient style of stonework and the beautifully ornate textured walls give you the feeling of being in the royal state that is Rajasthan. .
Where: Ranthambore, Rajasthan
Things to do: Photograph the majestic view of Aravallis, experience wildlife and nature with a jungle safari in the sanctuary forest of Ranthambore National Park by jeep/gypsy or gallop.
3. DoubleTree By Hilton – Agra
Agra is one of those places in India that is on everyone’s bucket list because of the Taj Mahal that graces the world. It’s the perfect place for a weekend getaway and if you want a bit of secluded luxury, DoubleTree is the place for you. Located in the center of the city overlooking the Taj Mahal which is only 2 km away, the place is really charming. Stay in a garden, pool or city view room and enjoy stunning views of the Taj Mahal from the pool area, and conveniently access the city’s most popular tourist attractions such as Agra Fort, Akbar’s Tomb and Sadar’s Bazaar. For all foodies out there, this is a dream location with four stylish food and drink outlets featuring cuisines from all corners of the world. Enjoy live music, cultural shows at night, revitalize in the gym or swim in the sparkling outdoor pool and finally treat yourself to a fantastic spa treatment. Nothing speaks luxury more than DoubleTree, making it one of the best hotels in India.
Where: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Things to do: Taj Mahal view, Ballroom, Agra Fort visit, Fatehpur Sikri, Jama Masjid, Ram Bagh, Akbar’s Tomb
4. Hotel Caravan Centre – Leh
Located amidst the serene environment of Skara, a quiet area of Leh Capital of Ladakh, Hotel Caravan Center is built in traditional Ladakh architecture and presents a pleasant atmosphere that is definitely not conventional yet and is perfect for your stay. Located in a prime location halfway between Leh airport and the old city center Leh old bazaar, the place is serene and calm as well as within walking distance from the main hustle and bustle that you necessarily need when you are Travel. Amidst the sights and sounds of this picturesque town and the bustling new markets of Skara on one side and the Skalzang-ling market on the National Highway on the other, the Caravan Hotel offers the perfectly landscaped gardens with the view of the high commanding views. the place is a gem of a place to stay and enjoy all the luxuries, a homely atmosphere and stunning views.
Where: Leh, Jammu and Kashmir
Things to do: Leh Old Bazaar, Skalzang-ling Market, Monasteries and Palaces, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Tsomoriri Lake Circuit, Adventure Sports
5. Planet Hollywood Beach Resort – Goa
As the name suggests, the place is a grand place that is so extravagant and luxurious that it is surprising how this place is not on the list of top hotels in Goa. Goa is one of the top tourist destinations in India and for the right reasons, and to enjoy it to the fullest, experience it in luxury at Planet Hollywood. A getaway to La La Land, a year-round exotic vacation destination, the place is wonderful. Whether you are with friends or family, it is one of the best beach resorts to stay in Goa. Includes sun, sand and impressive luxuries. A favorite of celebrities from Shah Rukh Khan to Salman Khan and Riteish Deshmukh and others, it is a place not to be missed if you have a chance to stay before it becomes too mainstream for all the tourists in Goa. Enjoy the luxuries while you still feel like it.
Where: Uttorda Beach, Salcette Goa, Goa
Things to do: Deluxe Pet Friendly Rooms, Pink Spa, Fitness and Recreation Facilities, Fuseball, Soccer, Volleyball and other games.
6. Heritage Village Resort & Spa – Manesar
All Delhi-NCR travelers, this one is for you! Just half an hour’s drive from Gurgaon, Manesar occupies a special place for all resorts and hotels, and one such amazing yet unconventional hotel is the Heritage Village Resort & Spa. Surrounded by vast acres of lush greenery, comfortable décor, as well as state-of-the-art business facilities to provide all the necessary luxuries, it is one of the prominent heritage-style hotels in the area and is also the proud recipient of the National Award for Tourism. Grant. From multi-cuisine restaurants to minibars, outdoor games, gyms and spas, The Heritage Villa Resort & Spa is a place you must stay to truly enjoy the ultimate in luxuries. A partial haveli style resort, the place has a special Rajasthani atmosphere. It exudes luxury and extravagance from its interiors and also a stupendous mix of landscapes and vibrant colors of ethnic Indian and international joint in the same place in a very clever way.
Where: Manesar, Gurgaon, Haryana
Things to do: attend fairs, festivals, cultural programs, spa, outdoor games, swimming, billiards, horse riding
7. The Corner Courtyard – Kolkata
Luxury is not about the rupees you spend, but about the warmth and special feeling that the place gives you when you stay there. One such humble place is The Corner Courtyard in Kolkata. This old house, steeped in its colonial past since it was last inhabited in 1904, witnessed redemption after more than a century. It is more of a home than you would call a hotel because you get the caring loving touch and passion in the place when you visit. It’s a journey from a relic reeking of a daunting past to a boutique hotel and patisserie restaurant restored to its glory and each journey is beautiful in the most exquisite way. An ideal place for a romantic getaway or for design connoisseurs, the quirky designs, the parts of places that are still old and a place that is something you have never visited or experienced before. It is modern, elegant and yet the most colonial place I have ever been.
Where: Sarat Bose Road, Kolkata, West Bengal
Things to do: Host stand-up comedy nights, special fundraising dinners by eminent chefs, Victoria Memorial, Hoogly River fundraiser
8. Brick and Wood Countryside Huts – Kasol
Surprisingly, in recent years, Kasol has become a top favorite among young people and millennials, so there is no doubt that the demand for the best hotels in Kasol has also increased. One of the best not only in Kasol but also in this unconventional list of top 10 hotels in India is Brick and Wood Countryside Huts in Kasol. While Kasol is home to many affordable hotels, camps, and other small places for everyone, there is nothing like this place. The place is not a hotel, not a village cabin or a camp, it is small brick cabins in the middle of the vast Greenland with the most beautiful view of the Himalayas. Enjoy solitude in the hills in a place never seen before.
9. The Tall Trees – Munnar
Kerala, the land of the gods, is truly a paradise on earth and one luxury property to enjoy this paradise is The Tall Trees in Munnar. Imagine a piece of heaven on earth where sunlight filters through a tall canopy of leaves, where there is joy and beauty as far as the eye can see and peace permeates the sounds of nature. In the high forested mountains of the Western Ghats in Kerala, tucked away in one of the world’s eight biodiversity hotspots, this is a resort where you can not only live under tall trees, but also experience real life.
10. Wildflower Hall – Shimla
Kerala, the land of the gods, is truly a paradise on earth and one luxury property to enjoy this paradise is The Tall Trees in Munnar. Imagine a piece of heaven on earth where sunlight filters through a tall canopy of leaves, where there is joy and beauty as far as the eye can see and peace permeates the sounds of nature. In the high forested mountains of the Western Ghats in Kerala, tucked away in one of the world’s eight biodiversity hotspots, this is a resort where you can not only live under tall trees, but also experience real life.
