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Winter in India is one of the most rewarding times to travel. Cooler temperatures bring clarity to the hills, better wildlife sightings in forests, gentle
light to heritage towns, and an easy warmth to island escapes. Spread across forests, deserts, coastlines and historic cities, these stays offer comfortable bases for winter travel, whether your focus is wildlife, culture, wellness, or simply slowing down for a few days.
Pench Tree Lodge, Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Set in the quiet Karmajhiri zone of Pench National Park, Pench Tree Lodge is designed for travellers who value both solitude and sustainability. The 40-acre property is home to six elevated tree houses and ten cottages, all planned to reduce impact on the rewilded landscape. Days unfold through jeep safaris, guided night trails and unhurried village walks, while evenings are marked by thoughtful, farm-to-table menus sourced from the on-site organic garden. With Pench’s thriving prey base and reliable tiger sightings, the lodge offers a striking setting for wildlife-focused winter travel.
Marari Beach Resort, Mararikullam, Kerala
Walk barefoot on the soft sands at dawn, watching the fishermen haul in their morning catch. Spend your days lounging in the shade of palm trees that lay between your cottage and the sea, listening only to the waves—an exercise in simplicity and mindfulness. Or dipping into the gorgeous pool or the vast Arabian Sea. Evenings are ideal for sipping fresh coconut water and reflecting on the sheer beauty around you. The sprawling 55-acre Marari Beach Resort is Malabar’s tropical paradise, offering an authentic Kerala experience.
Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa, Jawai
Wake up to leopards draped across the rocky outcrops of the Aravallis, with early mornings perfect for birdwatching. Days unfold with guided leopard safaris, walks through Rabari villages, or slow afternoons by the pool. Spread across 20 acres, Cheetahgarh Resort offers plush rooms, some with private pools, along with a spa designed for deep unwinding. Easily accessible from Udaipur and Jodhpur—around a three-hour drive from both—the resort has all the wilderness and creature comforts you'd need for a luxury vacation.
Brunton Boatyard, Fort Kochi
Christmas at Brunton Boatyard captures Fort Kochi’s coastal charm at its most atmospheric. Set along the historic waterfront, the boutique hotel pairs sea views and colonial architecture with festive warmth. A special lunch menu runs from 20 to 28 December, followed by Christmas dinners on 24 and 25 December. On Christmas Day, in-house guests enjoy carol singing and a traditional dance performance. Between indulgent dining, Ayurveda massages and the hotel’s guided sunset cruise—often accompanied by dolphins—Brunton offers a festive getaway that takes you closer to the region's heritage.
White Rann – The Tent City, Dholavira
Dholavira is quickly rising as a must-visit getaway in Gujarat, and gives you an intimate introduction to the White Rann of Kutch. Here, as you explore Rann Utsav, choose to stay at the Tent City. Guests choose from Darbari and Rajwadi suites, premium cottages and Swiss-style tents, all designed to frame the stark beauty of the Rann. Days are unhurried—cycling through craft stalls, visiting the Dholavira Archaeological Site, practising yoga at sunrise or enjoying indoor games. Evenings bring cultural performances, relaxed dinners and stargazing beneath an endless sky.
The Postcard Gir, Gujarat
The Postcard Gir sits within 16 acres of mango orchards adjoining Gir National Park, offering a quiet, nature-forward stay. Fifteen minimalist rooms open out to greenery, providing natural light and privacy. Personalized safaris into Gir increase the likelihood of spotting Asiatic lions, while slower days can be spent at curated picnics or by the pool. Regional recipes, homemade cocktails and a relaxed pace make this a strong choice for travellers seeking an intimate winter break.
Waghoba Eco Lodge, Tadoba, Maharashtra
Set in the buffer zone of Tadoba National Park, Waghoba Eco Lodge advances the idea of sustainability in luxury hospitality. Fourteen earth-toned cottages feature private sit-outs, spacious layouts and local materials. On-site experiences include bird photography sessions, naturalist interactions and menus built around seasonal, locally grown produce. Tadoba—Maharashtra’s oldest and largest national park—has a unique dry deciduous landscape and excellent chances of tiger sightings, making the lodge an ideal base for early-winter safaris.
Padmaa, Jaipur
Padmaa is a restored 18th-century haveli that retains the intimacy of a family home — once lived in by seven generations of the Shah family. Fifteen individually styled suites reveal intricate jaali work, lotus inlays and serene courtyards. The rooftop plunge pool offers respite after exploring Jaipur’s bazaars and palaces. The kitchen is strictly vegetarian, drawing on family archives to present comforting Indian classics and Rajasthani staples. Meals unfold across beautiful spaces, from courtyards to terraces.
Tilar Siro by CGH Earth, Havelock Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
For travellers seeking warmth rather than woollens, Tilar Siro offers a coastal winter escape surrounded by the beaches and reefs of Havelock. Villas and cottages are designed to maximise natural light and outdoor living. Activities include snorkelling at Vijaynagar Beach, diving excursions, long swims and island-spa therapies. The resort’s quiet atmosphere makes it ideal for couples or travellers looking for an unhurried island holiday.
Raffles Jaipur
Raffles Jaipur brings Mughal architecture and contemporary luxury together in soft pastels, marble details and handcrafted local artistry. Its 50 rooms and suites are individually styled, each spacious and serene. Mornings may begin beneath the soaring dome of the Safir Atrium, while evenings are best spent at the rooftop pool or at the signature Writer’s Bar showcasing its “farm-to-glass” approach. For winter travellers, it offers a refined city escape with service rooted in the classic Raffles tradition.
Udaipur Marriott Hotel, Udaipur
Overlooking Fateh Sagar Lake and framed by the Aravalli Hills, Udaipur Marriott blends modern hospitality with regional design elements like Pichwai art and ornate jharokhas. Its 226 rooms offer broad views of the water or surrounding hills. Winter is an excellent moment to explore Udaipur’s cultural sites, before returning to spa therapies at Quan Spa, alfresco meals at Okra, or Rajasthani and pan-Indian dishes at the rooftop restaurant, Ayana.
voco Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand
Spread along the Kosi River, voco Jim Corbett, India’s first voco property, offers a relaxed, comfortable base for exploring Jim Corbett National Park. Winter brings heightened wildlife movement, making it the ideal time for safaris and riverside birdwatching. The resort’s design blends contemporary lines with natural textures, while programming includes nature walks, locally inspired dining and quiet evenings along the river.
Ajit Bhawan, Jodhpur
Built in 1927 for Maharaj Dhiraj Sir Ajit Singh of Marwar-Jodhpur, Ajit Bhawan is considered India’s first heritage hotel — a transition guided by Rani Usha Devi and Maharaj Swaroop Singh in the early 1980s. Vintage rooms, suites and tents draw on the aesthetics of royal Rajasthan with antique furniture, sandstone architecture and deeply atmospheric courtyards. The hotel’s curated experiences, including the Sapphire Stroll through blue alleys and stepwells, connect guests to Jodhpur’s living heritage.
Rawla Narlai, Pali District, Rajasthan
Rawla Narlai is a restored 17th-century fortress set at the base of Elephant Hill, between Udaipur and Jodhpur. The 32-room boutique property is defined by stonework, traditional textiles and elegant courtyards. Its dramatic surroundings — ancient cave temples, Jain and Hindu shrines, and volcanic rock formations, make it a compelling destination for travellers interested in culture and nature. The hotel is known for its atmospheric dining, from bonfire meals to starlit dinners and Tekri cookouts.
Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa
This is Goa royalty. Dramatically set beside a 17th-century Portuguese fort, Taj Fort Aguada delivers old-world grandeur with front-row sea views. The resort unfurls over lush grounds that cascade down to Sinquerim Beach, with ocean views stitched into every vista. Inside, elegant suites and sea-facing villas balance colonial grace with modern comfort, while dining and spa experiences are notably refined. A favourite for couples and families alike, it’s quintessential Goa luxury by the water’s edge.
Mary Budden Estate, Binsar
Nestled in breathtaking untouched surroundings, Mary Budden Estate is one of the last virgin expanses of wilderness in the Himalayas. With logwood fireplaces, stone patios, and hand-picked antique furniture to vast mountain views, private dining and drawing rooms, every experience at Mary Budden takes you deep into Kumaoni culture. Let their on-site naturalist take you on a trail through the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, or teach more about astronomy with a Milky Way Dinner, under the stars.
