Where to stay
Glenburn Tea Estate, Darjeeling. Below: A veranda at Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
Overlooked by the mighty Kanchenjunga, the tea estates around Darjeeling offer some of India’s most idyllic scenery. Hidden among their emerald hillsides is the Glenburn Tea Estate. Each of its eight suites comes kitted out in lavish colonial style, with four-poster beds and roll-top baths. You’ll be woken each morning with a tray of cookies and ‘bed-tea’ which , is made using leaves plucked from the plantations outside your window, of course. If you’re craving the great outdoors, book a stay in the Glenburn Lodge and Campsite on the banks of the River Teesta. Here, the two of you can sit around a campfire, as the hotel chef prepares an alfresco dinner for you to eat under the stars. (www.glenburnteaestate.com) Doubles from 23,000
9
Glenburn Tea esTaTe Darjeeling
With the Aravali Hills as its backdrop and a quaint village as its base, this 18th-century palace just outside Udaipur has a truly magical setting. Over the years, the clifftop hotel has been refurbished to reflect a more contemporary design. While local marbles and semiprecious stones have been used in its minimalistic décor, the ancient sandstone exterior has been left intact, and the result is breathtaking. If you’re looking for A-class luxury, check into the 1,200sq ft Devi Garh Suite, which comes with a stunning black marble pool and its own private sundeck affording romantic views of fiery sunsets across the mountains—the sight alone warrants Devi Garh a spot on this list. (www.lebua.com) Doubles from 9,775
10
Devi Garh by lebua udaipur
11
barefooT aT havelock andaman islands
Known for its pristine whitesand beaches, azure waters and abundant coral, Havelock Island makes for a tranquil holiday spot. Right next door to the spotless Radhanagar beach, Barefoot at Havelock is one of the finest resorts on the island. You’re bound to fall for the hotel’s 19 elegant cottages and villas (either fan cooled or airconditioned), each of which is built using local materials and features tribal architecture. rise in the morning and go snorkelling or fishing, then laze in a hammock throughout the afternoon, with the sand tickling your feet. Round off your day with a couples’ treatment at Barefoot’s Ayurvedic Wellness Center. (www.barefootandaman.com) Doubles from 4,725
12
Taj falaknuma Palace hyderabad
Perched atop a hill with