Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa, Uttarakhand

We do love a good independent one-off boutique hotel, but we’re not above acknowledging when one of the big hospitality chains is doing extraordinary work. That’s very much the case with India’s massive Taj group at the moment, and Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa, Uttarakhand is yet another stunning new opening — this one at a bend in the Ganges river in the foothills of the Himalayas, offering astounding views of the river and the mountains in every direction.

It’s set several miles upriver from Rishikesh proper, a location that gives it an outsize cultural significance, and which also positions it for some extraordinary rafting and trekking opportunities. Of course, it’s also a fine place for more sedentary pursuits as well — the Jiva spa offers blissful escape as usual, and the rooms, with their first-rate comforts and sedate, minimalist design, are perfectly situated for some riverside rejuvenation. All of them have views of the river, the valley, or both, and many have balconies for an added measure of immersion in nature. And the same goes for Rock Flour, Taj Rishikesh’s all-day restaurant — this double-height space is ringed with windows, and, weather permitting, offers al fresco seating for its farm-fresh dishes.