The luxury heritage hotels in India have pioneered a new travelling genre of heritage tourism. The rise of heritage tourism has led to a surge in the restoration of historical properties into luxury vintage hotels and homestays. Such heritage properties, which carry within themselves endless anecdotes of the past, paint a vivid picture of our culture and essence and present them evocatively to their guests.
A discussion of luxury heritage hotels in India unequivocally remains incomplete without the mention of Rajasthan. With its epic forts and stunning palaces, Rajasthan boasts some of the most exceptional luxury heritage hotels in India. However, other states are not lagging behind. In this blog, we have curated 8 such luxury heritage hotels in India that are not located in Rajasthan.
Table of Contents
1. Bari Kothi, Murshidabad, West Bengal:
Located in Azimganj of Murshidabad district, Bari Kothi is perhaps the finest boutique heritage property of West Bengal. Built in the 1770s, it was the ancestral home of the mercantile Dudhoria family.
Bari Kothi is akin to a time machine, which will take you back to the Nawabi era of Murshidabad. Every corner of this mansion fosters countless tales of the past and manifests the unique Sheherwali culture. It will surely be love at first sight with Bari Kothi. With its amber-coloured walls and vivid stained-glass doors and windows, the haveli will certainly leave you speechless. Like the lasting aftertaste of fine Belgian chocolates, Bari Kothi’s charm will linger in your heart even long after you have returned home.
- Rooms: Bari Kothi has 15 rooms, separated into three categories – Heritage, Royal Heritage, and Maharaja Heritage. Each room is aesthetically decorated with antique furniture and vintage décor.
- Food: Bari Kothi offers an indulging gastronomical experience centred on the unique Sheherwali cuisine. Regarded as one of the best vegetarian cuisines of India, Sheherwali cuisine is a delightful medley of Rajasthani, Jain, Mughal, and Bengal traditions.
- How to reach: Bari Kothi lies 240 km away from Kolkata. You can either opt for trains such as Ganadevta Express and Intercity Express or take a 6-hour road trip to this haveli.
- How to book rooms: You can call them at +91-9051200800 or drop a query mail at info@barikothi.com. You can also place your query on Bari Kothi’s official website.
- Cost quotient: $$$$$
2. Svatma, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu:
The mention of Thanjavur is an inadvertent reminder of the majestic Brihadishvara Temple. The erstwhile capital of the Chola Empire, Thanjavur is regarded as the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu. Svatma, a 150-year-old mansion now converted into a heritage boutique hotel at the heart of Thanjavur, is preserving the essence of Tamil culture and renovating the heritage of Thanjavur while providing a memorable stay to its guests.
The word ‘Svatma’ means “one’s own soul”. The entire experience at Svatma, therefore, entails an overall wellness of the self and the soul. Nestled in greenery, the original building of Svatma Thanjavur is 150 years old. It used to be a post office in the British era and was later turned into a home by a local Brahmin family.
Svatma is a tribute to the rich artistic traditions of Thanjavur. This heritage property is characterized by elegant pillared verandahs, floral arrangements with Kolam at the entrance, a serene garden, and countless attractive nooks and crannies embellished with antique furniture, Tanjore paintings, Thanjavur Bommai dancing dolls, and other local flavours.
- Rooms: The hotel has 34 rooms, embellished elegantly with both vintage and modern aesthetics.
- Food: The food in Svatma Thanjavur is strictly vegetarian. Although the menu includes continental fare, Svatma specializes in serving the local cuisine of Thanjavur.
- How to reach: From Chennai, you can easily reach Thanjavur by train, such as 22675 Chozhan Express and 16865 Uzhavan Express.
- How to book rooms: You can book rooms from the official website of Svatma.
- Cost quotient: $$$$
3. Neemarana’s Deo Bagh, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh:
In the past, Deo Bagh served as a summer escapade for the Maratha Jadhav family of Gwalior. Today, it has been revamped as a luxurious heritage hotel. Deo Bagh is located right at the heart of a raucous Gwalior. However, once you go past its entrance, you step into an altogether different world. As soon as you step inside the premises of Deo Bagh, the blaring cacophony of the bustling city gets instantly muted and replaced by peacocks’ calls. While the lush greenery of Deo Bagh’s surroundings is a treat to the eyes and a cure to the weary heart, the timeless architecture and vintage decor take you back to the bygone era.
Not only does Deo Bagh house architecture remain of the 17th-18th centuries, but it has also put a great deal of effort into their upkeep. Two Maratha temples, two ornate ‘Chhatris’ or cenotaphs, and a ‘Baradari’ with 36 arched gateways have been well preserved here, thus making Deo Bagh an exceptional heritage property of India.
- Rooms: There are 3 suites and 12 rooms spread across 5 wings overlooking the Nau Bagh. Each room comes with its portico, fashioned in Mughal style and provided with sitting benches.
- Food: In addition to the usual North Indian and Continental fares, you can enjoy traditional Maratha cuisines such as Mandodari Daal, Bharbat Mutton, and Bharti Vangi. The breakfast buffet spread is equally fantastic.
- How to reach: Gwalior’s Airport is well-connected with important cities. Gwalior’s rail station is one of the important stations in central India, and therefore you can reach here from any part of India via train.
- How to book rooms: You can visit the official website of Neemrana’s Hotels to book a stay at Deo Bagh.
- Cost quotient: $$$$
4. The Belgadia Palace, Mayurbhanja, Odisha:
The spectacular Belgadia Palace is situated in the quaint town of Baripada in Mayurbhanja district of Odisha. It was built in the 1800s by the royal family of Mayurbhanja for receiving guests and foreign dignitaries. Post-independence, it has become the primary residence of the royal family. Recently, a part of the palace has been converted into a luxury heritage stay.
The Belgadia Palace is a melange of vintage aesthetics and Art Deco furnishings. The pristine exterior is tastefully contrasted with the vibrant interiors. Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Odia countryside, the palace offers a cosy retreat dipped in royalty. In addition, the palace promotes the local culture and tradition and organizes Mayurbhanja Chhau dance performances as well as curated tours for experiencing the handicrafts of Mayurbhanja.
- Rooms: 4 categories of rooms are available at the Belgadia Palace – Palace Rooms, Historical Suites, Garden Historical Suites, and Royal Suites.
- Food: The palace’s kitchen dishes out local delicacies of Mayurbhanja.
- How to reach: Baripada is a 5-hour drive from Bhubaneswar and Kolkata.
- How to book rooms: Visit the official website of the Belgadia Palace to book rooms.
- Cost quotient: $$$$$
5. Neemrana’s The Tower House, Fort Kochi, Kerala:
The Tower House in Fort Kochi is another exceptional heritage stay of the Neemrana group. It has been renovated from an age-old edifice, which dates back to the 17th century. A lighthouse is believed to have stood vigil at this very spot, with cannonballs being fired at intruders from its bastion. The twin house rather resembles a ship. Boats used to arrive during high tides and rested downstairs in its stable and dry dock.
As you tread on its creaky wooden stairs and floors, you will hark back to the olden days of seafaring, adventurous sailors and traders, boasting about their swashbuckling adventures over countless jugs of rum.
The Tower House has been furnished and decorated in such a manner to exude the old-world charm. The reception, rooms, and halls have been embellished with carefully curated antique and intricately designed furniture. The walls are adorned with various, astonishing paintings and photographs, which may well be regarded as object d’art.
- Rooms: There are 15 aesthetically decorated rooms in The Tower House.
- Food: The food served in the restaurant focuses on local cuisine, mainly focusing on seafood and meats. The food is excellent.
- How to reach: Kochi is well-connected with flights with the rest of India.
- How to book rooms: The rooms can be booked from the official website of the Neemrana group.
- Cost quotient: $$$$
6. Stok Palace Heritage Hotel, Stok Village, Ladakh:
The 200-year-old Stok Palace of the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh has now been converted into a heritage boutique stay. The palace is gifted with a spectacular location on top of a hill which overlooks the valley of the Indus River. The embodiment of everything Ladakhi, it is the repository of centuries of heritage, traditions, rituals, and culture.
The four-storied Stok Palace exudes traditional charm with low doorways, shaded corridors and courtyards, and beautifully colourful interiors. The palace even has an in-house monastery called Lhakchung Temple. The monastery also has a notable library that boasts an impressive collection of ancient Buddhist texts.
- Rooms: There are 4 Standard Suite Rooms, the Royal Suite, and the Queen’s room. The palace does not have wi-fi, televisions, or air conditioners.
- Food: The palace’s kitchen is named Willow which serves traditional Ladakhi cuisine along with flavours from the world.
- How to reach: The Stok Palace is located in the Stok village, which lies 17 km away from the capital Leh.
- How to book rooms: Log in to the official website of the Stok Palace to book your stay.
- Cost quotient: $$$$$
7. Neemrana’s The Bungalow on the Beach, Tharangambadi, Tamil Nadu:
Tharangambadi, more popularly known as Tranquebar, is one of the off-beat beach destinations of Tamil Nadu. Tucked in the Coromandel coastline, Tranquebar is a heady cocktail of tranquil sea and postcard-like colonial structures. Known as the ‘land of singing waves’, it was the first Danish colonial possession in India.
Neemrana’s The Bungalow on the Beach is a Danish-era house renovated into a luxurious heritage hotel. The Bungalow’s location is its USP – on the right, there lies the 17th-century Dansborg Fort, while on the left stands the 14th-century Sri Masilamani Nathar Temple. The Bay of Bengal is right on the front of the Bungalow.
- Rooms: There are 8 rooms named after historical Danish figures. Rooms offer views of either the sea, pool, or garden.
- Food: The food is mostly continental here. You can enjoy your meal on the balcony while enjoying the view of the sea and the Fort.
- How to reach: Mayiladuthurai is the nearest railway station, situated 30 km from Tranquebar. From Chennai, you can take 22675 Cholan Express, 20605 Chennai Egmore Express, and 22614 Shraddha Sethu Express to reach Mayiladuthurai. The nearest airport is Tiruchirapalli.
- How to book rooms: Rooms can be booked from the official website of the Neemrana group.
- Cost quotient: $$$$
8. Cossimbazar Palace of the Roys, Murshidabad, West Bengal:
The 18th century Cossimbazar Rajbari is a treat to the eyes. Painted in pristine white, the architecture of the palace is a fusion of Indian and European styles. Furnished with Corinthian pillars, louvred windows, checkered floors, long corridors, stained glass decorations, vintage furniture, sparkling chandeliers, old paintings, and yellowed photographs, the palace is an exceptional experience.
A section of the Palace has been converted into a heritage hotel to provide the guests with an experience of the bygone era. The rooms are a fantastic amalgamation of the past and present. The rooms are adorned with antique furniture such as four-poster beds, elaborate mirrors, intricately carved wooden wardrobes, Belgian glass chandeliers, and so on.
- Rooms: The Cossimbazar Rajbari has 14 rooms including 2 suites.
- Food: While the complimentary breakfast is mostly continental, lunch and dinner are purely Bengali affairs. You can also try authentic Murshidabadi dishes such as Mutton Nawabi Korma and Murshidabadi Macher Jhal.
- How to reach: If you are travelling by train, you need to descend either at Berhampore Court station or Khagraghat to reach Cossimbazar Rajbari. The best options to reach Berhampore Court are 13113 Hazarduari Express (from Kolkata station) and 03171 Lalgola Passenger (from Sealdah). By car, it takes around 5.5 hours to reach Cossimbazar from Kolkata.
- How to book rooms: You can book rooms from their official website.
- Cost quotient: $$$
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