Ten Classic Places To Stay In India

Ten Classic Places To Stay In India

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1 Oberoi Grand, Calcutta
For over 125 years, this 'Grande Dame of Chowringhee' offers the ultimate classical residence in the City of Joy. The Oberoi Grand combines classic architecture and charm, offering guests an oasis of tranquillity amidst the bustling city. The beautifully restored suites boast giant four-posters, the Oberoi Spa & Fitness Centre pampers with treatments based on Indian Ayurveda and the four restaurants serve Indian, Chinese and Western cuisine.

2 Himalayan Hotel, Kalimpong
The Himalayan Hotel was a family home of David Macdonald, an interpreter on the Younghusband Expedition to Lhasa in 1904. After retirement, Macdonald converted his stone and wood house into a hotel, and it has remained in the Macdonald family ever since. It was here that he wrote his books Land of the Lama and Twenty Years in Tibet. And it was here that the great names of the region had been guests; including Mallory and Irving, Hillary and Tenzing, Mme Alexandra David-Neel, and Heinrich Harrer, author of Seven Years in Tibet. This colonially furnished hotel set in well tended gardens, makes a delightfully cool retreat.

3 Taj Mahal Palace, Bombay
Bombay's most luxurious, famous and iconic hotel, the Taj Mahal Palace is a symbol of Indian art and culture. Located close to the Gateway of India and overlooking the Arabian Sea, Taj Mahal is, as some would say, the heart of Bombay. Following the terrorist attack in 2008, the hotel underwent extensive reconstruction and was brought back its original glory. This magnificent hotel with leading edge technology now offers utmost luxury and comfort.

4 Palace Kawardha, Madhya Pradesh
This stunning 20th century palace, made of Italian marble and stone, was built as a tranquil retreat amidst the Maikal range of hills. The Kawardha Palace is still home to the Royal family who take an active interest in running the property, and are glad to take visitors out on walks and visits to the local temple. The palace offers 8 elegantly appointed suites. A good base for resting up and exploring local temples, Kipling's Camp and tribal areas, Kawardha is accessed from Raipur, Bilaspur and Kanha National Park .

5 Brunton Boatyard, Fort, Cochin
Once a Victorian shipyard, the luxurious Brunton Boatyard is a looking-glass into the mid-twentieth century; the time of the great sea voyages, an age when civilizations met. All of the Brunton Boatyard Hotel's rooms are cooled by the wind from the Arabian Sea. The architecture reflects the colonial influence of Cochin's early Dutch and Portuguese settlers, while the restaurant reminds you of the spice trade when the pepper of Kerala became, gram for gram, as precious as gold. So is its hospitality today.

6 Malabar House, Cochin
The Malabar House was a Dutch colonial residence now converted into a small charming hotel. The hotel reflects the passion and interest of its German owner, Mr Isaac, who personally supervised designing each of its 17 unique rooms and suits. The double-storey penthouse is probably the nicest room, and you will find it perfectly decorated with local artefacts and fresh flowers. The Malabar House is more of an art hotel, home of a carefully curetted collection, highlighting Kerala's composite culture as a passage between east and west.

7 The Green Hotel, Mysore
Built for Mysore's princesses, the Chittaranjan Palace was set up as a hotel with all profits distributed to charitable and environmental causes. Now known as the Green Hotel, it is run as a model of sustainable ecotourism, complete with solar heating and mosquito-devouring fish in the ponds. All the rooms are renovated and furnished using traditional Indian crafts. The hotel offers comfortable surroundings, charming staff, delicious, freshly cooked meals and spotless interiors furnished.

8 Shalimar Spice Garden, Murukkady
Set deep in Keralas Cardomom Hills, Shalimar Spice Garden is a cozy hotel with a blend of Keralas heritage and European luxury. The hotel resembles local Malayalam houses, the thatched cottages with their wide verandahs. Located near the famous Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, it is a perfect resting place for those who appreciate nature and wildlife. A small paradise in a verdant land with facilities to include Ayurvedic treatments and fine cuisine.

9 Taj Kuteeram, Bangalore
Taj Kuteeram is a spiritual health resort, this hermitage, is set in the midst of nature. It brings ancient Indian art to life, through its architecture, ambience and philosophy of promoting the arts. The rooms have ethnic furniture, original works of art, and murals adorning rock-hewn walls. Classical Indian dance or music performance can be arranged at kuteeram upon request, at an extra cost. With an Ayurvedic and Yoga centres the hotel ensures that you get the best of natural therapies for health and rejuvenation.

10 Taj Exotica, South Goa
Located in South Goa, The Taj Exotica is set in fifty six acres of lush tropical gardens along a 700-metre stretch of Benaulim beach. The 31 rooms have a sea view, while the villas located in the gardens have their own private pools. With its spas, restaurants, activity centre for kids and golf courses, Taj Exotica offers the perfect retreat and a lot of style. The food, both Mediterranean and local, reflects Goa's diverse history. Spice plantations and historic sites and a wildlife sanctuary are all to hand.

About the Author:
Adventurer and explorer, Harish Kohli led the first Trans-Himalayan expedition, an 8,000 kms odyssey across the Himalayas. He is the author of Across the frozen Himalaya and CEO of AwimAway.com an adventure holidays company. For tailor made India holidays visit www.awimaway.com.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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