The most beautiful boutique hotels in India for a design-lover's escape

What is it? An off-grid 18-kothi safari lodge bounding the world’s sole Asiatic lion sanctuary.

Why go: At Aramness, every architectural element’s an act of cultural preservation. Designed by the Johannesburg-based Fox Browne Creative and Nicholas Plewman Architects, the 18 kothis or mini-villas weave barefoot luxury with deep Gujarati heritage, and elements like otlas, chowks and jharokhas are played around with in a way that feels refreshingly contemporary. Makes you wonder why so many Indian hotels still feel stuck in a colonial nostalgia loop.

Every two-storey kothi comes with a private, non-chlorinated pool and ensuite bathrooms. The upper verandahs, while perfect for an afternoon siesta, present the rather better opportunity of spotting a lion taking an afternoon stroll. Guided forest walks and breakfasts with a view seal the deal, but again, the design’s what really shines. You’ll find hand-carved jaalis with patterns mirroring those of the sal trees in the forest. Kutchi Lippan mud and mirror plasterwork catches the light in the built-in seating areas. And everything’s been sourced from inside Gujarat itself.

The meals outdo themselves – the hotel offers everything from Kathiawadi thalis to BBQ dinners under the stars.

Time Out tip: While Gujarat is a dry state, foreign tourists may apply for an alcohol permit. 

Price: About ₹72,000 per night, plus tax. All meals included.

Address: Aramness Gir, Haripur village, Gir Somnath District, Gujarat

Closest transport: The nearest airport is Keshod, about 35 km away. Your next best bet is Diu, 110 km away. 

What is it: A ten-room sanctuary rooted in Vedic philosophy perched on a sacred hill believed to be a sage’s meditation site. 

Why go: Good Earth founder Anita Lal’s taste is beyond question. But she’s succeeded in doing something really rare in Himachal: a marriage of ancient Vedic traditions and refined Indian design, minus all the performative spirituality that usually comes with places like these. 

The hotel itself is high, high up – almost 8,500 feet above the Kullu valley, and said to channel the mystic energy emanating from the hill. It’s incredibly chic for a hotel rooted in spirituality. Tibetan rugs, handpainted murals and blue-white china manage to combine grandness and comfort, and much of the design – inspired by the Vedic concept tat tvam asi (meaning ‘you are that’) doesn’t feel slapped on for effect or because someone read a book about chakras one time. The design encourages reflection – the gardens, especially, are lovely. 

They’ve also been awarded two Michelin Keys, so you know it’s the real deal. 

Time Out tip: Ask for the juniper berry incense they use across the property. 

Price: ₹85,000 per night, plus tax. Minimum three-night stay. 

Address: Village New Kothi, Palchan, Manali - Leh Highway, Himachal Pradesh 175103

Closest transport: The nearest airport is at Bhuntar, 13 km away.

What is it: A restored 19th-century haveli in Jaipur’s Johri Bazaar, now featuring a five-suite design, with each named after a gemstone. 

Why go: It’s clever drawing inspiration from jewels when you’re bang in the middle of Johri (jeweller) Bazaar. Manak (ruby) riffs on Jaipur’s Pink City swagger. Neelam (sapphire) sports pale blue walls and black-and-white striped columns that were apparently discovered during renovation. Two Art Deco hand-painted tiger chairs lay in a corner. Sona (gold) glows in warm ambers and arches, while Panna’s (emerald) done up in soft greens and pastoral frescoes. Light filters through jaali screens into the courtyard, while the Pukhraj lounge on the second floor swaps tired jungle wallpaper for handpainted murals of Rajasthan’s flora and fauna. The entire hotel’s also replete with fixtures in lime, cane, bone and brass, all crafted by Rajasthani artisans. 

Time Out tip: The ground-floor vegetarian restaurant is exceptional. And don’t roll your eyes – the Rajasthani fare is so good that even die-hard carnivores won’t miss the meat. The Kathal Nihari is spectacular. 

Price: About ₹36,500 per night, plus tax. Breakfast included.

Address: The Johri, Lal Haveli, Johri Bazaar, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Closest transport: The nearest airport is Jaipur Airport, 12 km away.

What is it: A 14th-century Rajput fort reborn as a 48-suite sanctuary. 

Why go: It’s a heritage restoration done right. No sandstone veneer on concrete box with tall claims. Nouveau Design Group and Panika Architects have managed to preserve two palaces and two temples within the original walls with the help of over 750 artisans, stone carvers and conservation experts who know their craft. The Mughal courtyard’s the most stunning, recognisable part of the fort – lined with locally quarried sandstone, lime mortar, and carved teak. Even ancient water harvesting systems have been revived in modern form. 

Suites span from a cosy (wink) 753 square feet to sprawling 3,000-plus square feet residences with views of the Barwara Lake and Aravalli hills. The Raja Man Singh suite, in particular, is worth the hefty price tag – it has its own courtyards, ringed pool and pavilions. The spa’s also extraordinary. It’s housed inside the former Zenana Mahal (women’s palace).

Time Out tip: The property produces its own mineral-rich still and sparkling water through a reverse osmosis plant. You may skip the bottled plastic business and enjoy truly sustainable luxury.

Address: Six Senses Fort Barwara, Chauth Ka Barwara, Rajasthan
Price: Upwards of about ₹73,543 per night, plus tax. Breakfast included. 

Closest transport: Nearest airport is Jaipur Airport, 158 km away.

What is it: A nine-suite boutique city residence in Jodhpur.

Why go: Rohet House succeeds in emulating how Rajasthani royalty may yet live in the ChatGPT era. The residence is meticulously designed – interiors layer handcrafts, artisanal furnishings and custom décor pieces. Locally sourced stones, intricate woodwork and traditional block printing in the unmistakable Jodhpur blue create a rooted sense of space, and rooms flow seamlessly from quiet nooks into more social communal areas. 

The suites are interestingly designed. Each is designed around a narrative inspired by the royal family’s travels, memories, and cultural influences. The result feels heavily personal – you feel like you’re stepping into someone’s bedroom.

Time Out tip: The communal spaces are designed for lingering. Perfect for evening drinks. 

Price: ₹25,000 per night, plus tax. Breakfast included.  

Address: PWD Rd, opposite Dilip Garden, P.W.D Colony, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342003

What is it: A 15-room boutique hotel run by sibling duo Imrun Sethi (of Terrtulia fame) and product designer Guneet Singh.

Why go: This one veers towards the affordable side while managing to have an excellent eye for detail. The Prabhadevi property somehow achieves maximalist design within minimal space, and is modelled on the duo’s global travel experiences and childhood memories of their parents’ impeccable hosting. 

Architect Samir Raut of Atelier Nowhere, especially, has helped turn every inch into something smart. A dead corner under the staircase becomes a whimsical vignette with patterned fabric and a statement chair. Hanging lamps are arranged in the lift well. All 15 rooms come with porthole windows, rotary-style phones with push buttons that work, and a strange but lovely juxtaposition of wood furniture against sleek lucite elements. Several rooms also offer sunken bathtubs. The art on display is taken seriously enough that it’s curated by rotating consultants and gallerists, so repeat guests won’t encounter the same painting twice.

Time Out tip: Going big on design doesn’t mean they’ve skimped on the gym, which comes with a calisthenics and crossfit rig with great views.

Price: ₹11,000 per night, plus tax. Breakfast included. 

Address: The Kin, Veer Savarkar Marg, off Cadell Road, Shivaji Park Sea Face Road, Mumbai – 400028

Closest transport: The nearest airport is Mumbai Airport, 10 km away.

What is it: A 25-suite modern sea fortress where the Sahyadris meet the Arabian Sea. 

Why go: Araqila is a lot more context-driven than generic coastal suites that you could plonk down anywhere from Bali to the Bahamas. The architecture here follows the coastline’s natural curve, with all suites (equipped with white walls, tall ceilings and massive windows) facing the sea. 

The rest of the hotel’s been done up deliberately sparsely The design vocabulary is deliberately sparse with simple furniture, open layouts, and restrained décor, keeping your focus squarely on sea, sky and landscape. Courtyards, terraces, and an amphitheatre form outdoor rooms you’ll actually want to spend time in. 

The vast estate, where forested hills roll towards the sea, uses lawns and trails as spatial design elements. Private access to Mochemad Beach turns the shoreline into an extension of the architecture, particularly effective for sunrise walks or starlit dinners that feel properly romantic without resort staff hovering nearby trying to upsell you on champagne.

Time Out Tip: The private beach path is ideal at sunrise. Take the walk slowly to appreciate how the architecture frames the coast at different points. It's a masterclass in sightlines if you're into that sort of thing, and even if you're not, it's just really pretty.

Price: ₹33,500 per night, plus tax. Breakfast included. 

Address: 1100, Tak, Arawali, Vengurla, Maharashtra 416518

Closest transport: The nearest airport is Goa’s Manohar International Airport, 36 km away.

What is it: A conservation-driven five-star hotel encompassing eight suites and a private villa across 150 hectares.

Why go: What’s remarkable is that Chunda Shikar Oudi (meaning ‘hunting post’) sits on land that was only recently totally barren but is now characterised by a thriving wilderness home to leopards and several varieties of rare birds. Hotelier Veeram Dev Singh Krishnawat’s authentic Mewari hotel, once a hunting ground for royals, includes a two-room villa with a private pool, and eight suites with wilderness views. 

A private lake runs across the entire property, and amenities are lavish: complimentary fishing sessions, jungle safaris, outings to the nearby Menar Bird Sanctuary, and stargazing plans every night. All nature trails and boat rides are, by the way, led by an in-house naturalist with genuine insight into every flower and animal in the area. 

Meals, too, feel intimately planned, with breakfast served where you can see the sunrise best, or sundowner cocktails with a view of the wilderness.

Time Out Tip: The guided nature walks at dawn offer the best chance to spot leopards. Book in advance because slots fill up quickly.

Address: Chunda Shikar Oudi, Gram Panchayat Batharda Kalan Kheroda, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313602

Price: ₹60,000 per night, plus tax. Breakfast included.

Closest transport: The nearest airport is Udaipur Airport, 18 km away.

What is it: A beachfront property in Mandrem – one of the few still-pristine beach towns in Goa. 

Why go: Kula means community in Sanskrit, and that’s exactly what the property delivers in Mandrem. It’s a far cry from the party side of Goa, with a Vyana Shala that offers classes on yoga, breathwork, somatic movement, ice baths, and rotating workshops for when you want a longer stay. The architecture itself draws inspiration from Kerala, Sri Lanka, and Bali, and most rooms have direct or indirect beach access. The Moonrise and Sunset suites, in particular, come with wraparound balconies and fantastic ocean views, and the rooms on the first floor feature open lofts above the bathrooms that can be used as meditation corners or extra lounging space. 

The beachside restaurant, Prana, spans two levels with cushioned seating above and in-sand dining below. The menu’s cuisine-agnostic, with loads of great dishes from all over India and south-east Asia. 

Time Out tip: The in-house lemonades or locally brewed kombucha at Prana are delicious.

Address: Junnas Vaddo, Pernem, Mandrem, Goa 403527
Price: ₹22,000 per night, plus tax. Breakfast included. 

Closest transport: The nearest airport is Goa’s Manohar International Airport, 30 km away.