Taj Lake Palace Udaipur is a luxury hotel occupying a gorgeous 18th-century whitewashed palace (you may recognize it from the James Bond flick, "Octopussy") in the center of Udaipur's Lake Pichola. The hotel offers 66 rooms and 17 suites, all with traditionally inspired regal Rajasthani furniture and beautiful lake views. Features include a luxury spa, three restaurants with Indian and international fare, a small fitness center, a lovely pool deck, and a series of gorgeous outdoor common areas with lots of seating. Jiva Spa offers all sorts of massages and beauty treatments. With its prime location and luxurious rooms and amenities, this is arguably the best place to stay in town. However, the purpose-built The Oberoi Udaivilashotel on the opposite side of the lake is a close contender, and arguably a tad more luxurious. 

The Rambagh Palace is a luxury hotel housed in the former summer palace of a Maharaja, in the upscale area of Jaipur. Keeping up with the high standards of the renowned Taj brand, this property exudes royal luxury throughout. Attention to detail is what makes this hotel so special. The 45 rooms and 33 suites each feature their own individual design and come with amenities like air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Features include five specialized dining facilities, a full spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a fitness center. The grounds are massive and include a total of 14 event and meeting spaces. The major downside here is that rates don't include breakfast. While Rambagh Palace is unrivaled in most regards, The Raj Palace Grand Heritage Hotel is another luxurious and elite option in Jaipur.

Pearl Palace Heritage is a small budget boutique guest house located just down the road from the Jaipur Railway Station. Each of the 10 rooms here is individually decorated, with ornate (and some might say over-the-top), traditionally inspired decor and modern amenities including flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and in-room personal computers with internet connectivity. However, there isn't much in terms of facilities beyond free Wi-Fi.  The hotel doesn't even have a restaurant, though room service is available from the sister property -- Hotel Pearl Palace -- which may be a better option for those looking for something with a bit more of a social scene. Fun fact, the "Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" was partially shot here. 

The five-pearl Suryagarh is a luxury castle-like hotel that’s surrounded by the Great Indian Desert. The decor here manages to be luxurious and romantic without being over-the-top, and the service is extremely intimate. The 72 rooms are spacious and come with beautiful desert views, flat-screen TVs, and free minibars. Some rooms lack coffee- and tea-making facilities. With a variety of amenities like restaurants, a gourmet breakfast, indoor pool, spa, gym, and explorative activities, there’s something for nearly every kind of guest. Though the hotel might take a tiring trip to reach, most guests note that it’s well worth the effort. You’ll find a similar experience at the nearby four-pearl Hotel Rang Mahal, though it has an outdoor pool. 

Three-and-a-half-pearl Royal Heritage Haveli is a charming family-run hotel with a rich history, located on the western side of Jaipur. It's a little haven in the midst of the hot, dusty city. The hotel's lush, leafy gardens house an outdoor pool, spa, and even a croquet lawn. The restaurant serves a well-received menu of both local and international dishes, and the buffet breakfast is included in rates. It's a thoroughly charming property, and the 15 suites are particularly pretty, with their abundant period details, plus air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi. There's not much missing here, though it's outside of the city center, so guests looking for something more central could take a look at ITC Rajputana, which is a 10-minute drive from the old city and adds a gym.

Three-pearl Jas Vilas is a charming little boutique hotel with a distinctly homelike vibe. In fact, the pretty grounds used to be a family home, with the owners still living on-site. Though set quite a way from the center of town, Pink City attractions and shopping are easily accessible. What's more? A dip in the pretty pool, surrounded by lush plants and flowers, is a great way to cool off after touring the region. With just 14 spacious rooms, it's an intimate hotel, and guests kick back on communal balconies or on the pool terrace. A fresh, Indian menu is served all day, and continental breakfasts are included. Guests looking to be closer to town could check out the Radisson Jaipur City Center, which has similar rates, though lacks the authentic style. 

This three-and-a-half-pearl, 13-room boutique hotel is located in an upmarket area of Fort Cochin. Sitting directly opposite the Chinese Fishing Nets, it's ideally located for tourists as many attractions are within walking distance. This palatial 18th-century colonial relic is set amid tranquil tropical gardens and features a sparkling outdoor pool. Interiors blend traditional colonial style with modern touches. Rooms are spacious and cool, with ceramic floors and high ceilings, and all have air-conditioning, antique hardwood furniture, and marble bathrooms. The sophisticated on-site restaurant serves a special seafood menu, plus a free English or Indian breakfast. Other perks include a relaxing Ayurvedic spa and free yoga sessions. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Travelers might also like the nearby Brunton Boatyard, which adds a free sunset cruise for guests. 

Shanti Morada is an upscale boutique hotel with 20 air-conditioned rooms, all with bay windows, ornate wooden furniture, and furnished balconies. Its location in the inland town of Saligao might deter some guests from staying here, but getting to Calungate takes less than 10 minutes by car. The hotel features a good array of features for a small boutique property, including a large outdoor pool, a smaller kids' pool, a huge whirlpool hot tub with its own bar, and a restaurant with 24-hour room service. The grounds are particularly impressive, with lots of beautiful landscaping and plenty of grassy areas with benches to sit out and relax. Those wishing to be closer to the beach may want to consider The Village Square in nearby Anjuna, which also has a pool table and a swimming pool.

The Acron Waterfront Resort is a three-and-a-half-pearl vacation resort with 29 rooms and a gigantic infinity pool. It's located on the Baga River, but it's a 10-minute walk to the beach. Rooms here are modern and homey, and come with furnished patios or balconies and large bathrooms. Amenities include an excellent restaurant with breakfast served late, a small but well-equipped gym, a spa, and hot tub. River boat trips also depart from the hotel's jetty.  While it's a great property overall, the Wi-Fi is slow (unless you pay for an upgrade), and its lack of direct beach access might be a deterrent. Travelers may want to also consider the Baia Do So, which sits right where the river meets the sea. 

Conveniently located just south of Jaipur Railway Station, Hotel Pearl Palace is a charming budget hotel that in many ways feels more like a mid-range boutique property. The 30 rooms here range from basic dorm rooms (guests can rent out whole dorms or just single beds) to snazzy and spacious air-conditioned Deluxe Rooms. Features include free Wi-Fi, clothing and jewelry shops, and laundry service, but the hotel's most attractive feature by far is its gorgeous Peacock Rooftop Restaurant, a two-story terrace restaurant with a large menu as well as room service. The hotel also offers free pick-ups from the bus and train stations, saving first-time visitors a lot of potential hassle. Travelers may also want to consider Sunder Palace Guest House nearby, which has similar amenities and is a tad mellower.

Palais de Mahe is an elegant three-and-a-half-pearl boutique property housed in a gorgeous old mansion in the heart of Pondicherry's charming French Quarter. The 18 rooms here are large, elegant, and air-conditioned, and all have classic wood furniture -- some even have four-poster beds. Amenities are few, but decent for a smaller hotel, and include a beautiful courtyard swimming pool, a restaurant with excellent Indian and international cuisine, and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi. Ayurvedic massages and treatments and free bikes to borrow are also available. Overall, it's a great choice for couples looking for a reasonably priced boutique stay in the heart of the city, but travelers with kids and those wanting direct beach access might find Le Pondy -- a 15-minute drive south of town -- a more suitable option. 

The Delhi Bed and Breakfast is a good value, two-and-a-half-pearl homestay located in the South Delhi Friends Colony East neighborhood, not to far from the Lotus Temple. There are only three rooms here, and all are homey and cozy, with locally crafted decor, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, and air-conditioning. There aren't a ton of amenities, though breakfast is included in room rates and the owners provide reverse osmosis-filtered water that's safe to drink -- a boon for those who don't want to waste plastic (or money) buying lots of small bottles. There's also a kids' computer, and adults' computer, and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi. Those looking to be closer to the city center and the Paharganj neighborhood should consider the Hotel Godwin Deluxe, which has modern rooms and lower rates. 

Located in West Delhi's Janakpuri neighborhood, Shanti Home is a mid-range property that's popular with domestic travelers, but may not be the best choice for those wanting to be near tourist sights. It has only 17 rooms, which allows for more personalized service, and each has a quintessentially Indian feel based on a region or theme. There are plenty of amenities for a hotel of this size, including a terrace restaurant, cooking classes, and a small fitness center. Travelers wanting to be closer to the tourist attractions may want to compare rates and amenities at one of the more centrally located properties, such as Hotel Bright in Connaught Place. 

Umaid Bhawan Heritage House Hotel is an ornately decorated three-pearl heritage-style property in the predominantly residential Bani Park neighborhood of Jaipur, a short drive from the Pink City and the railway station. The 41 rooms here have beautiful, old-fashioned furniture and hand-painted floral designs on the ceilings. Prices are a bit higher than competitor hotels, but amenities and freebies add way more value. There's a rooftop restaurant and an elegant indoor restaurant, plus a bar, free breakfast buffet, and room service. There's also a beautiful courtyard pool with a few lounge chairs, and nightly cultural entertainment. Travelers may also want to consider Nahargarh Haveli, which is a little closer to the railway station and has slightly lower room rates -- but no pool.

The Dusit Devarana New Delhi is an elegant luxury resort near the airport, though this 50-room boutique property feels secluded and peaceful. Perhaps that's owed to the massive grassy lawns and a variety of serene spaces, including a gorgeous luxury spa with Ayurvedic treatments and all sorts of massages. Each of the stylish rooms have open layouts, with large soaking tubs right in the rooms, and some have private terraces that look out onto the hotel's long swimming pool. While it's certainly more peaceful than the typical Delhi luxury property, its location is removed from local attractions and the Delhi Metro. This can be inconvenient for tourists, especially in light of Delhi's consistently nightmarish traffic. Guests wanting something equally high-end within the city should consider the Taj Palace Hotel instead.