The most exclusive resorts in India include The Oberoi Udaivilas and Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, Amanbagh near Alwar, Ananda in the Himalayas, Wildflower Hall near Shimla, SUJAN The Serai in Jaisalmer and The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. They combine heritage settings, private pools, wellness programmes and remote locations for a lavish retreat.
This 2026 update lists 10 luxury resorts and hotels across Rajasthan, the Himalayas, Kerala and Mumbai, with details checked against official hotel pages. Rates change by season and are not listed here, so check each property’s website for current prices.
Quick facts: most exclusive resorts in India
| Resort | Location | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| The Oberoi Udaivilas | Udaipur, Rajasthan | Lakeside suites with private pools |
| Amanbagh | Ajabgarh, Alwar, Rajasthan | Quiet hill retreat |
| The Leela Palace Udaipur | Udaipur, Rajasthan | Lake views and fine dining |
| Taj Lake Palace | Udaipur, Rajasthan | A palace on an island |
| Ananda in the Himalayas | Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand | Ayurveda and yoga |
| The Taj Mahal Palace | Colaba, Mumbai | Heritage city luxury |
| Suryagarh | Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | Desert fort-style stay |
| Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra | Kovalam, Kerala | Coastal wellness |
| Wildflower Hall | Chharabra, near Shimla | Himalayan forest retreat |
| SUJAN The Serai | Near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | Luxury desert camp |
10 most exclusive resorts in India for a lavish retreat
1. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
The Oberoi Udaivilas sits on the banks of Lake Pichola across 30 acres of landscaped gardens. Guests can arrive by private boat. Its top suites, including the Kohinoor Suite, have private pools and views of the lake.
Also read8 Best Places for River Rafting in India: Rivers, Grades, Season
Several rooms have semi-private pools and look across the water to the City Palace. Travel + Leisure rated it the world’s best hotel in 2015.
2. Amanbagh, Alwar
Amanbagh is set in the Aravalli hills at Ajabgarh, close to the old ruins of Bhangarh. It is about two hours by road from Jaipur airport and has its own heliport for guests coming from Delhi.
The resort has Mughal-inspired buildings with pink-hued domes, set among gardens. Its suites and pavilions have private terraces or courtyards, and some come with private pools.
3. The Leela Palace Udaipur
The Leela Palace stands on the shores of Lake Pichola, about 45 minutes from Udaipur airport. It offers lake view and garden view rooms, suites and villas.
Dining is a highlight, with Sheesh Mahal for fine dining, The Dining Room with lake views, and The Library Bar.
4. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
Taj Lake Palace occupies Jag Niwas island in Lake Pichola and is reached only by boat. The palace was rebuilt by Maharana Jagat Singh II in 1743 to 1746, and Taj Hotels took over its management in 1971.
It is also known to film fans: it featured in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy.
5. Ananda in the Himalayas, Narendra Nagar
Ananda is a wellness retreat on the former palace estate of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal at Narendra Nagar, in the hills above Rishikesh. The property covers 100 acres of grounds, gardens and forest.
Programmes include Ayurvedic rejuvenation, Panchakarma, yoga, meditation, stress management and sleep enhancement. Most wellness programmes need a minimum stay of five to seven nights.
6. The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
The Taj Mahal Palace opened on 16 December 1903 and was commissioned by Jamsetji Tata. It stands in Colaba beside the Gateway of India and is the flagship hotel of the Taj group.
The hotel was one of the targets of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and reopened in stages from December 2008. It remains one of India’s most famous hotels.
7. Suryagarh, Jaisalmer
Suryagarh calls itself a gateway to the Thar Desert. The fortress-style property near Jaisalmer offers views of golden dunes and quiet courtyards.
It focuses on desert experiences and local legends, while presenting Rajasthani tradition in a modern style.
8. Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra, Kovalam
This retreat sits on Pulinkudi Road near Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram district, surrounded by tropical greenery near the Arabian Sea.
Guests come for Kerala’s traditional wellness practices, including Ayurveda, spa therapies and yoga. The grounds also include a private residence for families or groups who want more space.
9. Wildflower Hall, Shimla
Wildflower Hall, An Oberoi Resort, is at Chharabra, about 15 to 20 km above Shimla at 2,515 metres. The site was once the residence of Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief of the British Indian Army, and is set in 23 acres of cedar forest.
The Oberoi Spa has treatment cabins in the forest. Activities include trekking, mountain biking, nature walks, an indoor infinity pool and an open-air whirlpool.
10. SUJAN The Serai, Jaisalmer
SUJAN The Serai is a luxury desert camp on a 100-acre private estate, about 40 km from Jaisalmer. It has 21 tents, including a Royal Tented Suite and six Luxury Tented Suites with private heated plunge pools.
A spa in a walled garden offers Ayurvedic therapies, with daily yoga and meditation. Meals use produce from the camp’s organic farm and vegetable garden.
How to choose a luxury resort in India
- Heritage and romance: Udaipur’s lake hotels, including Taj Lake Palace and The Oberoi Udaivilas.
- Wellness: Ananda in the Himalayas or Niraamaya in Kovalam.
- Desert: SUJAN The Serai or Suryagarh in Jaisalmer.
- Mountains: Wildflower Hall near Shimla.
Book early for peak season and long weekends, as these properties have limited rooms. For more travel ideas, explore our Travel and Lifestyle sections.
Further reading: The Leela Palace, Taj Mahal Palace, Suryagarh.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most luxurious resort in India?
The Oberoi Udaivilas is among the most celebrated. Travel + Leisure named it the world’s best hotel in 2015.
Which luxury hotel in India is on an island?
Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur stands on Jag Niwas island in Lake Pichola and is reached by boat.
What is the best luxury wellness resort in India?
Ananda in the Himalayas at Narendra Nagar is one of the best known, offering Ayurveda, yoga and Panchakarma programmes on a 100-acre estate.
Is there a luxury desert camp in Rajasthan?
Yes. SUJAN The Serai near Jaisalmer is a luxury tented camp with 21 tents, a spa and private plunge pools in its suites.
Sources: The Oberoi Udaivilas, Aman: Amanbagh, Wikipedia: Taj Lake Palace, SUJAN The Serai.
