Exclusive North India: Mumbai to Varanasi by Private Jet

For over a century, the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower has been the haunt of India's elite, and has played host to princes, kings, maharajas, presidents, CEOs and countless celebrities. Built in 1903, it is an architectural marvel, bringing together Moorish, Oriental, and Florentine styles. Inside, the hotel showcases contemporary Indian art framed by vaulted alabaster ceilings, onyx columns, graceful archways, hand-woven silk carpets, crystal chandeliers, and an eclectic collection of furniture. There are 519 rooms and 46 opulent suites with panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India. The Taj's excellent dining options include Golden Dragon - voted the best Chinese restaurant in Mumbai; Masala Kraft - Indian cuisine with a contemporary twist; Souk, which has stunning views of Mumbai from its rooftop location and serves Middle Eastern cuisine; The Zodiac Grill, where a special menu is offered for each month's star sign, and the stellar Wasabi By Morimoto - Mumbai's first contemporary Japanese restaurant, helmed by the Iron Chef himself. There is also the Harbour Bar, Mumbai's first drinking establishment, and the Insomnia nightclub, filled with "Bombabes" and their millionaire boyfriends. Guests can unwind at the luxurious spa, the fitness center, equipped with cardiovascular and weight training equipment, steam shower and sauna and swimming pool, or with a game of badminton, squash, tennis or billiards. The hotel also has a private yacht available for day trips on the Arabian Sea or to nearby Elephanta Island. There is a business center with wired and wireless Internet access, secretarial services and cell phones and laptops for hire. Wi-fi available throughout the hotel. The Taj Mahal Palace is 45 minutes from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM).

Bask in the ultimate luxury at The Oberoi Mumbai, a spectacular building with incredible ocean views and a front-row seat for the Queen’s Necklace, the name for the golden crescent of lights that glimmer on the shoreline after the sun sets. From the moment guests arrive on the spectacular grounds, they are whisked away into a world of elegance and luxury. Inside the lobby, floor-to-ceiling windows offer unparalleled views of the ocean and the incredible shoreline. And within each incredibly-decorated guest room, guests may marvel at the views as they enjoy personalised butler services. The hotel also features a variety of world-class restaurants serving delicious cuisine from around the world, as well as a state-of-the-art spa, fitness center and temperature-controlled, outdoor pool in a private courtyard.

In addition to the hotel brand's current Indian offerings in Bangalore and Pune, the Ritz-Carlton Mumbai is penciled to join the family in 2022. The 238-room property is located in Worlai, one of the city's busiest business districts, which also has great proximity to Mumbai's international airport. The hotel features excellent scenes of the Mumbai cityscape from high-rise viewpoints, interiors by renowned designer and long-time Ritz-Carlton collaborator Tony Chi (you might recognize his style from the award-wining décor at Ritz-Carlton Millennia in Singapore), the signature Ritz-Carlton Spa, as well as dining and drinking options, such as an ocean-view bar and two fine dining restaurants.

A 45-minute drive from Maharana Pratap Airport lies the Leela Palace Udaipur, a five-star property on the banks of Lake Pichola. Sporting sweeping views of the City Palace and the majestic Aravalli Mountains, the Leela Palace Udaipur features seventy-two rooms and suites divided into six categories, all decorated in sepia tones with local textiles and artwork. The in-house restaurant, the Dining Room, offers a cornucopia of cuisines throughout the day; the Sheesh Mahal, a rooftop restaurant on the lakeside that offers fine dining under the stars, and serves cuisine from the royal kitchens of India; and the Library Bar, an intimate lounge that fuses English club decor with Indian aesthetic principles. Food can also be served by the mosaic-tiled pool overlooking Lake Pichola, or in guests’ rooms. Other amenities include a spa by ESPA, yoga lessons, badminton, boat rides, cooking classes with one of the property’s chefs and much more.

Nestled along the beautiful Lake Pichola, The Oberoi is designed after the majestic Indian palaces of yore that litter the Mewar region: grand pavilions and domes, decorated with frescos and adorned with artifacts stun the senses, while top quality service lends a touch of regality to your travels. Many of the 90 rooms, designed to evoke the history and culture of Rajasthan, have terraces that open on to semi-private swimming pools; suites include private swimming pools and outdoor dining pavilions. Dining options include: Chandni, an upscale Indian restaurant; Suryamahal, for European, Mediterranean and Thai dishes; and Udaimahal, a dining experience approximating the opulence of maharajas. The Udaivilas has a business center, an excellent Oberoi spa, two pools and a sports complex. The hotel is a 40-minute drive from Dabok Airport (UDR).

One of the great palaces of India, the yellow sandstone Umaid Bhawan was completed in 1943 after 15 years of construction. While Umaid Bhawan is now open to guests, members of the Singh royal family still live in a wing of the palace. The sixty-four rooms and suites of the Umaid Bhawan are divided into five categories; all rooms include wi-fi, LCD televisions, electronic safes, and even a selection of bath mixes, including milk baths and detoxification baths. Dining options include the storied Risala, which serves the finest Indian and Continental English cuisine, and was built to commemorate a victory by a local cavalry regiment in World War I; Pillars, an attractive, casual eatery set on a verandah; the Sunset Pavilion, an outdoor restaurant which serves barbecued and grilled cuisine from around the world; and the Trophy Bar. Other amenities include a business center, billards tables, a tennis and squash court, a fitness center, a Spa, and even a series of shops and boutiques.

Housed in a stylish haveli, or historical mansion, Raas Jodhpur is a stylish, unique inn like few others. All of Raas Jodhpur’s 39 rooms and suites offer balconies and terraces, most with views of the nearby Mehrangarh Fort; all are equipped with climate control, electronic safes, hairdryers, televisions, and telephones. The Raas is home to the Darikhana Restaurant, which serves Indian cuisine, and offers diners views of Mehrangarh Fort’s pink sandstone walls; and the open-air Bardari Restaurant, which features Thai and Mediterranean dishes. Amenities include a spa managed by luxury chain Serena Spas, a swimming pool, and wireless internet access. The Raas is a twenty minute drive from Jodhpur airport.

Set in 32 acres of landscaped grounds, the Oberoi Rajvilas faithfully recreates the majesty of the Rajasthani royals. Each of the property’s rooms, tents and villas features the following amenities: LCD TV, DVD player, satellite television,wired and wireless broadband Internet access and 24-hour butler service. All accommodations are set in private courtyards, giving one the impression of being inside a fort. The fully air-conditioned, luxury tents in particular are unique to this property. Each tent has a private patio and a garden which is enclosed by a mud wall. Inside, the tents are spacious and airy, featuring colonial design such as a free-standing, claw footed bathtub and separate shower. There is a spa with a full suite of massage and spa treatment offerings, in addition to a state-of-the-art fitness center, flood-lit tennis courts, and outdoor pool in a lovely garden setting. There are two restaurants that serve Indian and international cuisine, in addition to the library bar. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

Until recently, the spectacular Rambagh Palace was the home of Jaipur royalty. The almost 200-year-old hotel is considered one of the great palace hotels of India, and is world-renowned for its beautiful architecture, its vast gardens and its 79 magnificent rooms and historical suites. The Survana Mahal is the hotel's grand dining room and serves delicious Indian cuisine and international fare is available in the Rajput Room. The hotel's famous Polo Bar, the lounge of choice for local society, is decorated with the trophies and polo memorabilia of the late Maharaja of Jaipur. Rambagh Palace offers guests indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis, croquet and a fitness center. The business center has broadband Internet access, wi-fi access and secretarial services. Ayurvedic therapy and massages can be arranged in the Palace Salon or in the privacy of your room. Taj Rambagh is approximately 20 minutes from the airport (JAI).

The Rajmahal Palace RAAS , which Architectural Digest has called “one of India’s most beautiful hotels,” epitomizes Jaipur’s rich aesthetic tradition and stands as one of the oldest and most treasured palaces in the “Pink City.” The regal abode was once home to the Maharaja of Jaipur and later became the guesthouse of Jaipur’s royal family. While the region is famous for the City Palace, an unsurpassed trio of historic forts, and a thriving polo tradition, the Rajmahal Palace itself is a stunning destination that continues to epitomize the power and sensibility of a ruling family who contributed to the layered history of India. The accommodations’ floral patterned borders and geometric shapes coalesce in a unified visual theme crafted by the meticulous designer Adil Ahmad, who reinvented the palace with his signature fusion of art deco shapes and traditional detailing. The wallpaper and fabrics in each room uniquely tell the many stories of Jaipur and the collective history of the Kingdom of Amber. Travelers may indulge in the luxurious offerings of the Spa, pay exclusive visits to the royal family’s own sacred temples, embark on tailor-made excursions led by the hotel’s expert guides, and enjoy spectacular dining replete with rare Jaipur recipes. The Rajmahal Palace is also available for private bookings. Rest assured – no luxury or whim is too large or insignificant, and everything from the cocktails served by your private bartender to the linen you sleep on will be the best available.

With just 10 luxury tents dotted around a lake, Aman-i-Khás is one of the most exclusive properties in the world. Located near the famed Ranthambore National Park, Aman-i- Khás offers supreme comfort in this rugged area with its dining tent, spa tent with four treatment beds total, lounge tent, a step-well, a traditional shallow wading pool, and wireless Internet access. Each tent has a central living room area, which opens on to three other areas for sleeping, bathing and dressing. The “bedroom” has a king-size bed and two writing desks, while the bathing area includes a shower, soaking tub and separate toilet while the dressing area contains wardrobes and twin vanities. There is a lovely campfire that is lit every evening and surrounded by stone benches with pillows such that guests can socialize with one another and chat about any game sightings over drinks and live music.

Nestled within the jungle at the edge of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, the Oberoi Vanyavilas offers 25 luxury tents which feature finely embroidered canopies, teak floors, luxurious bathrooms and private walled gardens. Each tent cover approxiately 790 square feet with a private outdoor deck for sunbathing. Both wired and wireless Internet connectivity are available as well as satellite television. Other amenities include recreational room, an on-site spa offering Ayurvedic treaments, and heated swimming pools which lap around the hotel property.

Located just 600 meters from the Taj Mahal, the Oberoi Amarvilas offers views of this romantic monument from each of its 109 guest rooms and suites, as well as the property’s lobby, bar and lounge. With a nod to Moorish and Mughal architecture, the resort features terraced lawns, fountains, reflection pools and pavilions with rich interiors. Room and suite amenities include a separate walk-in closet with electronic safe, lavish marble bathrooms with deluxe toiletries. The Amarvilas is also home to two restaurants, Bellevue and Esphahan, which serve fine international and Indian cuisine. Complementing the grandeur of the Mughal era is the spa that befits the self-indulgence of royalty, with holistic treatments based on Ayurveda and ancient Thai and western massage techniques, as well as beauty and body treatments. Other facilities include a swimming pool and a state-of-the-art gymnasium.

The Nadesar Palace lies nestled in the heart of vibrant Varanasi among mango orchards, marigold and jasmine fields. Built by the East India Company and acquired by Maharaja Prabhu Narain Singh in the 19th century, the property is named after goddess Nadesari, whose shrine is located in front of the palace. All accommodation at the boutique yet opulent Nadesar Palace, which includes just 10 luxuriously appointed Heritage Rooms, Heritage Suites and Royal Suites, is generously scaled with large windows overlooking the gardens and spacious bathrooms in cool white marble. There is a restaurant serving local cuisine and satvik fare, which is said to bring calmness, intelligence, strength, health, happiness and longevity. Fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals and grains form the main ingredients of satvik food. The grounds are just 13 miles from Varanasi’s airport (VNS).