A few years ago, I was lucky enough to travel to India, exploring the Golden Triangle and Shimla staying at some of Oberoi India’s spectacular hotels. The Oberoi hotel brand is well known for its high quality, luxurious hotels and India is has several hotels around the country, which perfectly fit together to create an iconic journey through India.
Although each hotel is unique in its reflection of the local culture and architectural style, they are connected by a shared passion for world-class dining, unparalleled service and relaxing spa experiences. I started my trip in Delhi, before heading to Agra, Jaipur and Shimla over a week.
We arrived in India and headed straight to the Oberoi New Delhi, in the heart of the city. The hotel is right next to the India Gate and Humayun’s Tomb, meaning you can explore some of the city’s most important monuments withing a short walk of your hotel. The rooms are stylish and recently renovated, with elegant furnishings and all the mod cons you'd expect. I especially loved the rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city and the luxurious spa which I didn’t have time to use but looked so relaxing.
This hotel really did feel like a haven away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi. I stayed here twice pre and post visiting the Golden Triangle. The staff really make this hotel special, remembering my name when I returned 8 days later and also having a freshly made cappuccino waiting for me at breakfast (our server remembered how I like my coffee). I was very impressed!
Leaving Delhi behind, we travelled to Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal. The Oberoi Amarvilas is only 600m from the iconic monument, with stunning views from almost every room. The hotel is a really unique design, reflecting the grandeur of Mughal architecture with wide terraced lawns and reflection pools. To be able to see the Taj from your room is such a thrill and especially useful if you don’t want to get up to early – you can simply watch the sun rise from your balcony.
The hotel has fantastic amenities including a beautiful swimming pool and some delicious restaurants, whether you’d like to enjoy local Indian food or indulge in some high-end European cuisine. The service is just brilliant, with friendly staff ready to make your stay extra special. You can even pay a small tray charge to have your breakfast brought to your room to enjoy on the balcony – possibly the most scenic of your life!
I’d always wanted to visit Jaipur – to visit the famous city palace, admire the Wind Palace and just enjoy the general hustle and bustle of such an iconic city. Nestled amidst 32 acres of lush gardens, The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur is a haven of luxury that reflects the grandeur of Rajasthan's royal heritage. The hotel is so beautiful – I loved the Rajasthani architecture with intricately carved interiors, courtyards and fountains, it felt so luxurious. If you can, I’d recommend upgrading to the Premier Rooms with private pool – having your own garden and pool is so special, especially in the heat of India.
The hotel offers a lot of activities including yoga, meditation and traditional Rajasthani folk performances. The resort also boasts a world-class spa, offering holistic treatments that rejuvenate the mind and body. If possible, I would recommend three nights at this hotel – you’ll likely spend a whole day exploring Jaipur and the surrounding area so it’s nice to have some free time to really enjoy the hotel as well.
I was really excited to visit Shimla, as it felt so different to the cities I’d been to so far. Arriving at the Oberoi Wildflower Hall we went straight out onto the terrace to admire the spectacular view over the foothills of the Himalayas. I really think coming north is so important when visiting India, even with a week you can see how varied and different the incredible landscapes are.
Once the estate of Lord Kitchener, this hotel is very elegant and is less than a 10 minute drive into Shimla town. Although it’s easy to visit other restaurants, I’d really recommend eating here – the food we enjoyed was so delicious. If you love to explore the outdoors, I’d really recommend coming to Shimla as there is so much to do. You can enjoy a range of activities like guided nature walks, mountain biking and river rafting. After that you can head straight to the pool and enjoy some relaxation.
I’d recommend having three nights at the Oberoi Wildflower Hall, as there is lots to do but also, it’s such a nice hotel to take some time for yourself – read a book or go to the spa. India can be a busy place so it’s important to take some time to enjoy the peace and tranquillity while you can.
I loved staying at the Oberoi hotels in India and I really think even if you just include one hotel as part of a larger itinerary, it’s a great choice when visiting this beautiful country. The brand has so much emphasis on service and the attention to detail in each hotel to reflect the local region and culture was wonderful.
I only stayed at four of the Oberoi India hotels but there are many more that you can visit to explore India further. Why not include a stay at the Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort in Ranthambhore National Park to look for tigers and rhinos or venture further into Rajasthan and visit the beautiful Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur.
I hope this blog has inspired you to include one or more of the Oberoi properties in your trip to India. Whether you want to explore the Himalayan foothills or tour the cities of Rajasthan, Oberoi is the ideal choice for your accommodation. If you're planning a trip to India, we can help! Call us on 1273 320 580 to speak to an expert or request a quote.
Product Manager
at Travel Nation
Senior Travel Consultant
at Travel Nation
More from
Natalie...