Beyond Five-Star Opulence: How India’s New Destinations Are Shaping Modern Luxury

A quiet shift is unfolding across India’s hospitality landscape. Travellers, more curious, conscious, and culturally driven than ever, are moving beyond the predictable comforts of traditional luxury. Instead, they are seeking places that offer connection, character, and a sense of discovery. As a result, emerging destinations once considered unconventional are steadily becoming the country’s most exciting new travel hotspots.

According to Amit Raman, General Manager, Radisson Blu Pune Hinjawadi, this shift is being driven by travellers who want more than polished lobbies or elaborate amenities. “Travellers today are looking for more than traditional luxury; they want new places, local experiences, and a sense of connection,” he explains. These

evolving preferences are pushing interest toward destinations that strike the right balance between culture and comfort. “Guests are open to exploring beyond the usual cities. They enjoy staying in places that feel fresh, less crowded, and closer to everyday local life.”

India’s rapidly improving connectivity, new airports, expanded highways, and better infrastructure is making it easier for travellers to venture beyond metros. And as Raman points out, the future of hospitality lies not in scale, but in soul.

“The next phase of hospitality will be about offering meaningful, personalised experiences and helping guests discover something new.”

This rise of newer destinations doesn’t overshadow India’s legendary hospitality icons, if anything, it elevates them. Paritosh Ladhani, Joint Managing Director, SLMG Beverages and Sincere Developers, emphasises that heritage properties continue to thrive alongside modern luxury.

“Heritage properties like Hotel Taj Agra hold a timeless appeal. Their closeness to the Taj Mahal offers something new destinations cannot match,” he says. For travellers craving a sense of history, these storied stays remain irreplaceable.

“The growth of new destinations supports the industry rather than competes with it. India has space for both modern luxury and trusted icons.”

This merging of the old and new reflects a broader transformation in how luxury itself is defined today. Vivek Shukla, CEO, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group, believes travellers now crave emotional resonance rather than opulence.

“The meaning of luxury has changed dramatically. It’s no longer just about marble floors or chandeliers, it’s about how a place makes you feel,” he notes.

At The LaLiT Group’s properties  such as The LaLiT Mangar, The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace Udaipur, and The LaLiT Resort and Spa Bekal, guests seek experiences grounded in culture, craft, community, and nature.

“These are not just hotels they’re living, breathing destinations. Guests return for the peace, authenticity, and warmth they find there.”

For Shukla, the future of Indian hospitality lies in conscious and inclusive luxury.
“Experiences that welcome everyone, embrace differences, and stay with you long after you’ve checked out.”

Together, these voices reflect a powerful truth: India’s emerging destinations are no longer the alternative, they are the new definition of luxury. Raw, rooted, and real, they offer something that modern travellers value more than extravagance: meaning.