A New Benchmark for Indian Hospitality
To be named among the world's best is no small feat. The annual list, compiled from the votes of over 800 anonymous global travel experts, journalists, and hoteliers, is a definitive guide to the most exceptional hospitality experiences on the planet.
Securing a place on this list signifies a property's commitment to creating a truly unforgettable stay, blending remarkable design, impeccable service, and a unique character that captures the imagination. This year, the inclusion of two Rajasthani hotels—one a modern boutique gem and the other a grand palace hotel—highlights the incredible diversity and depth of India's luxury travel landscape.
The Jewel of Jaipur: The Johri
Ranking at number 94, The Johri in Jaipur is an intimate, five-suite boutique hotel that has captured the hearts of discerning travellers. Tucked away in the city's historic jewellery market, Johri Bazaar, the hotel is a lovingly restored 19th-century haveli, or merchant's house. Its restoration, led by designer Naina Shah, avoids grand-palace cliches, instead offering a quiet, personal, and deeply stylish sanctuary. The magic of The Johri lies in its connection to place; it feels less like a hotel and more like the elegant home of a very well-travelled friend, where every detail, from the hand-painted murals to the locally crafted textiles, tells a story of Jaipur's artisanal heritage.
The Five Gemstone Suites
The hotel's most defining feature, and the one referenced in its name, is its collection of five suites, each inspired by a different gemstone. There is the Manak (ruby), bathed in shades of dusty pink; the serene Neelam (sapphire), with its pale blue walls and whimsical hanging loveseat; and the Panna (emerald), rich with verdant tones. Each suite is a masterclass in colour and texture, layering antique furniture, bespoke fabrics, and local art to create a distinct personality. This design concept is more than just a gimmick; it's a nod to the bazaar outside and a clever way of creating five unique worlds within one historic building, offering an experience defined by personality rather than scale.
The Palace on the Lake: The Oberoi Udaivilas
The second Indian property to make the list, coming in at number 98, is The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur. If The Johri represents the soul of boutique, artisanal India, Udaivilas represents the pinnacle of classic, palatial grandeur. Designed to resemble a traditional Mewari palace, the hotel is a breathtaking spectacle of domes, courtyards, and cascading fountains set on the banks of Lake Pichola. Its unique selling proposition is its unparalleled sense of romance and scale, offering stunning views of the City Palace and Jagmandir. A stay here is an immersion into the royal history of Udaipur, complete with sprawling gardens, reflective pools, and service that has become legendary in the world of hospitality.
Two Visions of Excellence
The joint recognition for The Johri and The Oberoi Udaivilas is significant because it celebrates two very different, yet equally compelling, visions of Indian luxury. The Johri is intimate, creative, and deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of its neighbourhood. It champions a modern, design-led approach to heritage. In contrast, The Oberoi Udaivilas offers majestic scale and timeless elegance, a transportive experience that channels the romantic ideal of princely India. Together, they demonstrate that the future of Indian hospitality lies in its ability to offer both authentic, story-driven boutique stays and unabashedly grand, luxurious escapes. Their presence on the world's stage confirms that India's hotels are not just places to stay, but destinations in their own right.
