India is one of those countries that completely steals your heart, not just because of its colors, food, and chaos-in-the-best-way, but because of the places you get to sleep along the way. This guide to unique hotels in India is a collection of the stays that truly made our trip unforgettable.

Think boutique hotels hidden in busy cities, centuries-old palaces turned into dreamy heritage hotels, and remote safari lodges where you wake up to nature instead of traffic.

We spent nearly a month exploring Rajasthan during winter (December 2023), slowly moving from city to city, and it gave us the time to really experience the country beyond a quick itinerary. Winter is, in my opinion, the best time to travel in India: cooler days, golden light, and the perfect excuse to linger longer in beautiful hotels.

Along the way, we stayed in some of the most unique hotels in India, places with soul, history, and owners who genuinely care about the experience they offer.

From charming boutique hotels in New Delhi to beautifully restored havelis and boutique hotels in Jaipur, Rajasthan completely won us over. Sleeping inside former palaces and heritage hotels in Udaipur, staying at my favorite heritage hotel in Mandawa, and discovering small design-forward properties in unexpected places made this trip extra special.

These aren’t just hotels, they’re part of the journey, and often the highlight of the destination itself.

In this guide, you’ll find my handpicked selection of unique hotels in India, including the best boutique hotels in Jaipur, iconic heritage hotels in Udaipur, unique boutique hotels in New Delhi, and soon even tiger safari lodges for those looking to experience India’s wild side.

And this is just the beginning, many more special stays are still to come as I continue exploring this incredible country, one unique hotel at a time!

Getting to India

We flew from Madrid to Delhi with Qatar Airways, and since it was our first time with them, we didn’t really know what to expect, but the experience was fantastic!

From the service to the comfort on board, everything felt smooth and easy. Plus, I am excited to offer our readers a direct 5% off their Qatar Airways booking! 

If you’re planning a stopover in Doha, don’t miss our guide, there’s so much to do during a short layover, and we share all the best tips in this blog post!