Draft that out-of-office email! 8 hotels and resorts in India perfect for your first trip in 2025

Ah, the holidays. The season of togetherness, where loved ones, paid leaves and comp-offs come together for a much-deserved break. New year? Newer holiday destinations. After the fireworks have gone off, the hangover has subsided and resolutions have been made, travel to these 8 picturesque getaways to start the year off on a memorable note. Peruse properties overrun by the rhythm of nature that listen to their own rhythm away from the city and palatial havelis that make you wish you were a long-lost heir to a monarchy. Draft your OOO (out of office) emails, for your getaway awaits! 

Modern age of havelis at Manuscript, Udaipur

Anticipate a heady concoction of all things Udaipur to sweep you off your feet at Manuscript – Jhilwara Haveli. Behold a decades-old haveli turned into a boutique hotel, reimagined by Federico Fraternale, Marco Grimandi and Shikha Rentala of Taro Studio.  The interiors flaunt inky blues plucked right out of the city’s lakes with a shade or two inspired by its terracotta-hued palaces to bring this restored structure to life. With a light hand, architectural elements borrowed from the past blend with a contemporary design language. Intricate jharokha-like mouldings inspired by palaces and havelis create soft arches that decorate every window.

Escape the narrow lanes of Udaipur and find this gem hidden in plain sight, just a stone’s throw away from the thrumming old city neighbourhood! 

A jaw-dropping desert mirage at Suryagarh in Jaisalmer

No dehydration-fuelled desert mirages come close to the sand-hued beauty of Suryagarh in Jaisalmer. As if it were the Thar desert itself twisting upwards to form pillars, this earthy palace is packed with experiences that vary from restful to downright adventurous.

Watch the sunset dip into the dunes as you break bread, indulge in breakfast as peacocks preen near or venture inwards in a meditative hour or two spent at the Rait spa. The interiors proffer a contemporary take on Rajasthani culture, crafting an experience rooted in the region’s vibrant culture. Everything else pales in comparison! 

Your castle awaits at Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner 

If you thought the cinematic world of Sanjay Leela Bhansali was too good to be true, Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner will prove you otherwise. Once a palatial residence for the last reigning Maharaja of Bikaner, the boutique hotel tells a story of the last monarch charting his own path in the modern world. 

The decor derives inspiration from sources across timelines, inspired by the legacy of the Maharaja’s forefathers just as much as his trips to Bombay in the grips of the Art Deco movement. A terracotta facade and a select few spaces within flaunt details inspired by Mughal and Rajput architecture, down to the intricate stone jaalis and jharokhas. Handpicked memorabilia from the king’s travels decorate the space. Prepare for a heartwarming welcome from the welcome crew, comprising a pair of golden retrievers named Laila and Gabbar! 

Slow living at Sadhrana Bagh, Gurgaon 

Pradeep Sachdeva is far from a stranger to those in the world of architecture and design. The late urban architect’s family-estate-turned-boutique-hotel, dubbed Sadhrana Bagh, is a cosy homestay in Gurgaon replete with warm interiors, lush vegetation (some of which bloom!), views for days and farm-to-table produce for the soul.

Four distinct villas rest in the wilderness, nestling close to the Sultanpur National Park. The property stays true to the values that informed Sachdeva’s practice with an emphasis on slow living, sustainability and collaboration. 

Take for instance the Bamboo House, a one-bedroom cottage sporting a striking bamboo roof designed by Architect Simon Velez. Beri house, on the other hand, seeks inspiration from age-old havelis dotting a namesake village neighbouring the property. Like patchwork, the ruins of dismantled buildings there have been repurposed to craft the sprawling villa.

A 300-year-old timber house was carefully dismantled, transported and reassembled to craft the Kerala House. The structure sports lounge-worthy verandahs extending from plush living and bedroom spaces you’ll have trouble abandoning well past noon. 

Wine and dine at The Source at Sula in Nashik 

A heritage winery resort in the rolling hills of Gangapur in Maharashtra? Sign us up! The fresh air, the tangy smell of finely crafted wine and the plush interiors of The Source at Sula may initiate a euphoric buzz well before you take your first sip of the vineyard’s famous produce.

Swirl, sip and sample the wine as you soak in the breeze amidst the sprawling grounds. The best hangover cure? Stay beyond noon in the canopied beds as you soak in the air rushing in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Works better than any odious concoction of grease or good ol’ hair of the dog. Come 2025, your journey as an amateur wine connoisseur has begun! 

Plunge, rest and rejuvenate at Brij Bageecha Jaipur 

With stone mosaic walls and earthy interiors, Brij Bageecha strips luxury down to its core tenets. Plush cabanas and man-made pools are peppered across the property, while minimal design language shapes the interiors. Visitors can take their pick from four distinct villas, fitted with indulgent options like your own private plunge pool, jacuzzi, courtyard or even a sit-in pool. 

If one of your New Year resolutions is reducing your screen time, their exhaustive list of activities and workshops will make it seem like a cakewalk! Activities like leaf threading, lac bangle making, tie & dye and block printing await, with detailed workshops on organic farming, cooking and pottery.

A royal pitstop at Jehan Numa Palace Hotel, Bhopal 

The late 1800s. A pivotal point in history when a cultural tug-of-war dotted India’s landscape. Amidst this turbulent time, the Jehan Numa Palace was born. A distinctive Nawabi andaz meets British Colonial, Italian Renaissance and classical Greek architecture in this 19th-century structure. The hotel is a historical site serving Bhopal’s famed royal hospitality to cosmopolitan travellers today.

The palace was commissioned by General Obaidullah Khan in 1890. He was the second son of Nawab Sultan Jehan Begum, one of Bhopal’s most progressive female rulers. Initially utilised as a royal residence for the family, the space was later used for administrative purposes. Fast forward to the present day and Jehan Numa’s legacy stands taller than ever. An unmissable highlight, apart from the striking architecture? The General’s Table, a dinner spread curated by the hotel’s chefs, is a delicious affair brimming with royal regional recipes popular across Madhya Pradesh. A meal and a stay fit for royalty, indeed! 

The hills call you at Aurika, Coorg 

Sprawling landscaped grounds, a yin-yang-shaped pool and a panoramic view of the rainforest —  Aurika, Coorg – Luxury by Lemon Tree Hotels serves an all-inclusive platter of all the Western Ghats has to offer. The view does the talking and the interiors listen, offering a plush perch for visitors to soak in the lush greenery.

Sit in a coffee lounge furnished with beans sourced from Karnataka’s all-too-famous coffee plantations or dine at an alfresco all-day-dining space serving authentic regional dishes and fusion treats. The resort snakes through the Western Ghats and sprawls with abandon, offering opportunities for exploration — or for an indolent staycation! 

Read more: 9 picturesque holiday destinations you and your pets will adore