Pratap Mahal, Ajmer

There’s no faulting its name on factual grounds; the Pratap Mahal, Ajmer is indeed located alongside a road called the Pushkar Bypass. But it’s a rather more scenic road than the name suggests, cutting through the Aravalli hills on the fringes of the Rajasthani city of Ajmer. And this resort, the work of India’s venerable Taj hotel group, is something special indeed, a purpose-built oasis that recalls Rajasthan’s ancient architecture, a lavish luxury resort whose rooms and suites are surrounded by courtyards, gardens, and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Though it’s chock full of traditional gestures like arches and domes, the Pratap Mahal, Ajmer is a new build, which means the comforts are state-of-the-art. Even the standard rooms here feel palatial, not just in size but in style as well, thanks in part to the full-size sit-out balconies. The suites quickly grow to enormous proportions, and, while they remain tasteful, they border on opulence. And no less royal is the treatment you’ll get at the spa, which bases its therapies on yogic principles. You can eat light, healthy fare to match at Aravali, the hotel’s restaurant, or you can opt for home-style regional cuisine instead.