The top 10 hotels in India as voted for by Travel + Leisure The top properties, according to readers, are located in major travel destinations like Mumbai, New Delhi and London. The top hotels are located in popular travel destinations such as Mumbai and New Delhi. JaipurThey also prefer homegrown brands: All of this year’s winners are part of either Taj Hotels, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, or The Leela Palaces, Hotel and Resorts, all founded in India. They’re also partial to homegrown brands: All of this year’s winners are part of either Taj Hotels, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, or The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, all founded in India.
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How voting works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. The 2025 survey was completed by nearly 180,000 T+L subscribers. Over 657,000 votes were cast for over 8,700 different properties (hotels cities cruise lines etc.).).
The criteria used to rate hotels included: their location, amenities and rating.
- Rooms/facilities
- Location
- Service
- Food
- Value
The respondents were asked to rate each characteristic. They could select excellent, superior, average, inferior, or poor. These responses are averaged to arrive at the final score.
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
India City Hotels: What readers loved about them
Unsurprisingly, the top two cities in India for city hotels are Delhi and Mumbai. Taj Lands End, Mumbai (No. 2) is the perfect high-end option for business travelers, with many spaces for meetings and events—a natural fit for Mumbai, known as India’s financial capital. The location at the Arabian Sea’s edge, near Bandra Fort was what really made it stand out. The Leela Palace New Delhi is one of the winners in Delhi’s capital. The Leela Palace New Delhi (No. Travelers raved about the friendly atmosphere—”the staff became extended family by the end of our stay,” wrote one reader—but it’s also well-loved by locals. Another survey respondent said, “My family and i love going to the Hotel for staycations or just for the delicious brunches.”
The Winner
Taj Mahal, New Delhi
Taj Mahal, New Delhi
In the 50 years since the hotel opened on 1 Mansingh Road, it has become a symbol of the capital. This property underwent a major renovation at the end of 2023. It is likely to have been its first appearance in India’s list. best city hotels in 2024. The Taj Mahal in New Delhi has now risen to prominence. T+L’s readers especially liked its proximity to historical sites like the National Museum or Humayun’s Tomb. One respondent to the survey wrote that it has “one of Delhi’s best locations,” and also praised the “amazing cuisine, nice gardens, and excellent Taj service.”
The Complete List
1. Taj Mahal, New Delhi
Score of Reader: 98.59
2. Taj Lands End, Mumbai
Reader Score: 97.93
3. The Leela Palace New Delhi
Reader Score: 97.40
India Resorts: Readers’ Favorites
Four of India’s five top resorts are owned by a single company: the Oberoi Group. Four are located within the legendary state of Rajasthan—including one in Jaipur, the capital, and two in Udaipur, sometimes referred to as India’s “city of lakes.” Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur is one of the Udaipur hotels. Even Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur (No. You can find out more about this by clicking here. a lake—set on a small island within Lake Pichola and reached by private boat. One survey respondent wrote, “This location is like heaven.” Another said that their “ridiculously-high expectations were completely met.”
No. 3), just outside Ranthambore National Park, is a sanctuary for the endangered Bengal tiger. Just outside Ranthambore National Park on Route 3, is a sanctuary that protects the endangered Bengal tiger. The tented campsite is a wonderful base for wildlife spotting, and to visit Ranthambore Fort (protected by UNESCO). It also offers luxury amenities like clawfoot baths and private plunge pool in some of the rooms.
The No. 1-favorite is also an Oberoi property, but it’s located in the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh—and is just a 10-minute walk from one of the country’s most famous sites, the Taj Mahal.
The Winner
The Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
The hotel’s interior design subtly references Agra’s most popular attraction: the Taj Mahal. Some of its 95 rooms and suites offer views of this famous landmark. The domes and arches of the hotel, as well as the fountains and gardens, were described by one respondent in the survey, to be “beautiful.” Oberoi Amarvilas’ looks are only one reason for its ranking. The Oberoi Amarvilas is ranked number one for 2025. This marks its first top-ranking year since 2018. For example, readers also loved the “perfect location”—less than half a mile from Emperor Shah Jahan’s famous tomb, builtd for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
The Complete List
1. The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 98.87
2. The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur
Reader Score: 98.06
3. The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, Ranthambhore
Reader Score: 95.68
4. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Reader Score: 97.36%
5. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
Reader Score: 95.56
