Nadesar Palace, Varanasi

All of the Taj palace hotels are impressive in their various ways. But the Nadesar Palace, a mansion of a mere ten rooms in the holy city of Varanasi, is so luxurious you might find yourself wondering if there’s been some sort of mistake as to your identity. This was, after all, the Maharaja’s residence, and it’s hard to imagine that the experience could have been much more regal then than it is under the present management.

Needless to say, there’s not a bad room in the house. A very recent renovation leaves them functionally as modern as can be, while the atmosphere pays loving homage to the palace’s history, with classic claw-foot tubs, refurbished antique furnishings and artworks from the Maharaja’s collection. There’s a small spa, a delightful little pool, and three fine meals a day served in the palace’s opulent common spaces.

It’s not often that unique character and top-end luxury coexist under the same roof, and it does come at a price. This one is a favorite for its singular atmosphere — this sort of utterly sequestered privacy is rare coin in the bustling city of Varanasi, and the contrast creates an experience that’s not likely ever to be forgotten.

How to get there: Nadesar Palace is located in one of the world's oldest living cities, situated on the banks of the river Ganges.