Palaces & Houseboats: Charming South India

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.

Located on the southwest coast of Goa overlooking the Arabian Sea, the Mediterranean-style Taj Exotica is arguably one of the best five-star hotels in Goa. Set amidst fifty-six acres of lush gardens, the Taj Exotica features a sun-drenched atrium, wide, shady corridors, and flower-lined patios. Its rooms and villas draw inspiration from Portuguese aesthetics and Indian design, and all offer plush beds, separate bathrooms and shower units, flat-screen televisions, electronic safes, and views of either the garden or the sea. Dining options include Alegria, a Goan restaurant serving fresh seafood and Portuguese wines; Eugenia, which serves a mix of Indian and southeast Asian fare; Li Bai, a Chinese restaurant named for a renowned poet; and Miguel Arcanjo, an eatery that faces the Arabian Sea, and serves dishes from a number of Mediterranean cuisines. Amenities include a spa, a pool, and various sporting facilities, including tennis courts and a 9-hole golf course. The Taj Exotica lies forty-five minutes from Goa International Airport.

Overlooking a beautiful, blue lagoon, set between the cerulean waters of the Arabian Sea and the river Sal, the Leela Goa’s design draws both from Goa’s Portuguese heritage and south India’s temples. Its 206 rooms feature high speed internet, electronic safes, plush beds, tea and coffee makers, and a blu-ray player. Dining options include the in-house restaurant, which features all-day, buffet-style items; the Riverside, which offers fine Italian cuisine set in an open-air pavilion overlooking the River Sal; the Susegado, a beach-side grill serving fresh seafood; the Javamar, which serves Indian cuisine in a tasteful, elegant setting; and a poolside bar and lounge. Amenities include outdoor and indoor swimming pools, conference and ballrooms, a spa offering holistic and ayurvedic treatments, and a fitness studio. The Leela Goa is an hour’s drive from Goa International Airport, and a half-hour away from Madgaon, the nearest town.

Set in a restored boatyard dating from the Victorian era, the Brunton is located at the tip of Fort Cochin. Designed in the style of early Dutch and Portuguese buildings, with whitewashed walls, a sloping tile roof and terracotta floors, the Brunton features twenty-two rooms – all of which face the sea, and are fitted with antique furniture and high royal beds with steps to climb up to them. Dining options include the History Café, which serves a fusion of Dutch, Syrian, Indian and Keralan cuisines in a room paneled with warm woods and teak crossbeams; the Terrace Grill serves the best of that morning's catch; and lastly, the Armoury Bar, which overlooks the harbor and features a selection of teas and classic cocktails. The hotel has a small pool next to the sea, an Ayurvedic center with massage and healing treatments, and a steam room, but does not have a fitness center. There is no business center, though there are secretarial services and Internet access. The Brunton Boatyard lies approximately 30 minutes from the airport in Cochin (COK).

A night aboard a Kettuvallam, or a traditional wooden houseboat, is the perfect way to truly get into Kerala culture. Our chosen luxury Kettuvallam vessel will explore Kerala’s famous tranquil backwaters, through a series of canals and lakes, allowing guests to discover the region’s rich heritage from the comfort of their own well-appointed luxury boat. Inside, the boat is richly-decorated, with spacious rooms, comfortable furnishings, air-conditioning, and top-end facilities. The sundeck is the ideal place for guests to relax during the day (or night) and watch Kerala drift by. A full crew is available to serve guests at all times, with meal service that includes fresh, local specialties. 

With a comprehensive view of Meenakshi Temple, the 100 year-old The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai, formerly known as the Taj Garden Retreat, is set amidst lush, serene gardens. The resort’s fifty rooms feature in-room safes, twenty-four hour room service, currency exchange, and high-speed internet access. The resort’s rooms fall into three categories: Old World Rooms are the oldest, and feature wooden furniture and colonial charm; Deluxe Rooms offer views of the Meenakshi Temple and Kodai Hills; and Superior Rooms are the newest, with views of the swimming pool and Madurai city. The resort’s signature restaurant offers a range of international and Indian dishes in an opulent, luxurious setting that evokes the bygone days of the British Raj. Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool shaded by a growth of trees, and several tennis and badminton courts. The Taj Garden Retreat lies less than half an-hour’s drive from Madurai International Airport, and fifteen minutes from Meenakshi Temple and downtown Madurai.

Built by the Maharaja of Mysore to host his most important guest, the Viceroy of India, today the Lalitha Mahal Palace is one of India’s most opulent hotels. Set on a ridge with commanding views of the gently sloping valley, the Lalitha Mahal offers guests a taste of princely living in a real palace. A grand, two-story structure with twin Ionic columns, spherical domes, and Indian marble, the Lalitha Mahal features fifty-four stately suites and rooms, all of which are comfortable and spacious, and offer natural light, period furniture, four-poster beds, deep velvet-covered armchairs, air-conditioning, televisions, telephones, and framed mirrors. The hotel contains three eateries: a restaurant serving Chinese, north and south Indian, and English-inspired Continental cuisine; a tea lounge serving snacks and non-alcoholic beverages; and an elegant bar built in the style of an English club, with dark-paneled wooden furniture and countertops. Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, jogging tracks, and billiards tables. The Lalitha Mahal lies twenty minutes from Mysore Airport, and less than twenty minutes from downtown Mysore itself.

Set amidst twenty acres of gardens, this luxury hotel in central Bangalore was the city’s first hotel. Constructed in 1887, the Taj West End has been meticulously preserved throughout the decades, and remains a fine example of colonial-era luxury, opulence, and hospitality. Each of the Taj’s ninety-one rooms feature twenty-four hour room service, electronic safes, mini-bar, a plasma television with satellite channels, telephones with an international calling capability, and queen size beds. On-site restaurants include Blue Ginger, which serves refined, elegant versions of classic Vietnamese food within a tasteful, atmospheric setting; Masala Klub, which features light, refreshing twists on traditional north and south Indian dishes; Mynt, which offers refreshing, authentic Mediterranean cuisine; and Blue Bar, an open air bar located in the gardens adjacent to Blue Ginger. Other amenities include a business center, a fully-equipped fitness center, swimming pools, and a full-service spa. The Taj West End is located approximately 45 minutes away from Bangalore airport (BLR).

For a glimpse of life as royalty, stay at the grand, palatial fortress that is the Leela. Set within nine acres of landscaped, manicured gardens punctuated with stone sculptures, lotus lily ponds, and waterfalls, each of the Leela’s 357 rooms feature broadband internet and wi-fi, a mini bar, in-room safe, satellite television, and plush beds. Dining options include the Javamar, an opulent, luxurious eatery that offers traditional northern and southern Indian cuisine; Citrus, a crisply decorated, vibrant restaurant that serves Mediterranean fare, including pastas and wood-fired pizzas; Zen, a tastefully designed venue serving Asian specialties, including dim sum, yakitori, and many others; and the Library Bar, an outdoor bar set in a plush, opulent country-club setting. Amenities include a fully-equipped spa, gym, and outdoor swimming pool. The Leela Palace Bangalore lies 28 miles (45 kilometers) from Bangalore airport (BLR).

Designed by the architects of New York’s George Wong Designs, the Park Hyatt offers its guests a modern, international aesthetic, accented with fine Indian textiles. Built beside the governor’s residence with a pool overlooking the the Guindy National Park, the hotel contains 201 rooms, with 20 suites, across seven floors of the hotel’s 11 stories. For dinner, take a seat at The Flying Elephant. Designed to be an unforgettable dining experience, The Flying Elephant spans 6 interaactive kitchens on 3 themed levels, including a bar, dance floor, and family dining room, each serving a rotating menu of Indian delights as well as international fair. The Park Hyatt Chennai is approximately 20 minutes from the Chennai Airport (MAA) by car.

For luxury, elegance, and a panoramic view of the Bay of Bengal, look no further than the Leela Palace Chennai, a five-star hotel in Chennai, India. Its design and architecture inspired by the Chettinad Dynasty, the hotel exudes a classic regal opulence, from the Royal Entrance through the Lobby Promenade, following along to the Grand Staircase, all the way to the Royal Ballroom. Sitting on 4.8 acres, the glorious seafront property looks out to where the Adyar River joins the Bay of Bengal, a view guests can take in from the Sea View Courtyard, or a sea breeze they can enjoy from the outdoor pool. With over 300 rooms and luxury suites, the hotel provides guests the option of a sea view or a stunning vista of the nearby city center. This 11-storey hotel also features several world-class dining options, including China XO, for Chinese cuisine, Jamavar, its signature Indian restaurant, and The Cake Shop, for all things sweet. To further indulge, guests will soon be able to relax in the saunas, steam rooms, and treatment rooms of the in-house luxury spa - the world-renowned ESPA.