Six Senses Fort Barwara

The combination of the Six Senses brand and a spectacularly fortified 14th-century palace results in a degree of luxury that would be almost comical, were it not for the sheer gravity of this majestic setting. This was once home to Rajasthani royals, but there’s no sense of irony in the way it’s been repurposed as a luxury resort — it’s not much of an exaggeration to say that guests of Six Senses Fort Barwara are treated like actual royalty.

All of this — two palaces and two temples within the old fort’s walls — is in service of a mere 48 suites, each one of which is a regal fantasy unto itself, complete with the modern comforts you expect from an ultra-professional luxury-hotel chain. The suites range from very large to downright palatial, and are decorated in an ornate historically informed style; many are provided with such luxuries as hot tubs or plunge pools.

One of the fortification’s temples is now home to a spa that’s vast and lavish, even by Six Senses standards. And a handful of restaurants includes Roohani, for Rajasthani cuisine at its most artful — book a private dinner in the old observation tower for a once-in-a-lifetime meal.