10 Heritage Hotels in India That Celebrate Iconic Architecture

India’s architectural heritage is as diverse as its history, and nowhere is this more evident than in its heritage hotels. These properties, often centuries old, have been transformed into luxury stays that go beyond hospitality. They are windows into the country’s architectural evolution. From palaces on lakes to colonial mansions, these hotels reflect styles ranging from Mughal and Rajputana to Indo-Saracenic and Victorian Gothic.

For travellers, history enthusiasts, and design lovers, these heritage hotels offer more than a room, they offer an experience of India’s built legacy.

1. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

Architectural Style: Mewari-Rajput Architecture
Built: 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II

Floating in the middle of Lake Pichola, the Taj Lake Palace is a white marble marvel built by Maharana Jagat Singh II as a summer retreat. Its Mewari-style design features delicate jharokhas (overhanging enclosed balconies), intricate marble carvings, and open courtyards. The palace’s symmetrical layout aligns with the Aravalli Hills, integrating water into its spatial composition, making it one of India’s most romantic heritage hotels.

2. Neemrana Fort Palace, Rajasthan

Architectural Style: Rajput-Mughal Fusion
Built: 1464 AD

This 15th-century fort, converted into a 70-room hotel, spans 14 levels and merges fortification features like battlements and stone turrets with royal Rajasthani detailing—carved wooden doors, frescoes, and stepped terraces. Modern amenities are carefully concealed, preserving the fort’s historic charm while ensuring comfort for guests.

3. The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata

Architectural Style: Neo-Classical and Colonial
Built: Late 19th Century

Known as the “Grande Dame of Chowringhee,” The Oberoi Grand showcases colonial architecture with deep colonnaded verandahs, high-arched windows, and a grand ballroom. Stucco ornamentation, classical proportions, and symmetry combine with tropical adaptations such as high ceilings, offering a glimpse into British Raj-era design in eastern India.

4. Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

Architectural Style: Italian & Tudor Fusion
Built: 1894 by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra

Perched 2,000 feet above Hyderabad, Falaknuma Palace combines Italian villa styling with Tudor influences. Its scorpion-shaped layout, Venetian chandeliers, stained glass, and frescoes reflect the global ambitions of the Nizams. The library, inspired by Windsor Castle, and the 101-seat dining hall lined with Belgian mirrors highlight the Indo-European design approach.

5. Rajmahal Palace RAAS, Jaipur

Architectural Style: Art Deco with Indo-Saracenic Elements
Built: 1729; Renovated in 20th century

Once a royal guesthouse, Rajmahal Palace pairs Art Deco interiors with traditional Rajasthani architecture. Pastel wallpapers, mirrored ceilings, chevron flooring, and jewel-toned accents define the interior, while domed kiosks (chhatris) and cusped arches preserve the exterior’s historic character—a rare blend of modernist luxury and heritage.

6. The Imperial, New Delhi

Architectural Style: Art Deco with Victorian Colonial Influence
Built: 1936 by Bromfield

Set in eight acres of gardens, The Imperial fuses Indo-European design with colonial sensibilities. Roman pillars, Italian marble floors, and Burmese teak furniture complement the symmetrical planning and long corridors. The hotel serves as a living museum of colonial-era architecture adapted for Indian climate conditions.

7. Samode Palace, Rajasthan

Architectural Style: Indo-Saracenic and Rajput
Built: 16th Century

Samode Palace combines marble, mosaic, and Mughal-style gardens. Mirror-worked halls (Sheesh Mahal), frescoed walls, and tiered courtyards narrate the story of the ruling family. Hidden staircases and intricately painted interiors create a sense of mystery and grandeur, making it a visual treat for architecture enthusiasts.

8. Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar

Architectural Style: Maratha
Built: 18th Century by Ahilyabai Holkar

Situated on the banks of the Narmada River, Ahilya Fort exemplifies Maratha architecture with stone courtyards, carved brackets, scalloped arches, and temple motifs. Restored havelis and bastions preserve the original spatial organization, offering a secluded, culturally rich retreat.

9. WelcomHeritage Ferrnhills Royale Palace, Ooty

Architectural Style: Victorian Gothic
Built: 1844

Formerly the summer palace of the Mysore Maharajas, this property resembles a Scottish baronial castle with gabled roofs, timber beams, and elaborate brickwork. Tudor-style wood panelling and arched fireplaces inside complement manicured lawns and hill views, representing one of the few colonial hill station architectures still in use.

10. Laxmi Vilas Palace Heritage Hotel, Bharatpur

Architectural Style: Mughal-Rajput
Built: Early 20th Century

The palace features Mughal gardens and Rajput architecture, with latticework windows, multifoil arches, and symmetrical layouts inspired by Fatehpur Sikri. Beyond being a hotel, it preserves Bharatpur’s royal heritage through its architectural detailing and spatial planning.

Why These Hotels Stand Out

• Architectural Diversity: Each hotel reflects a distinct lineage—from Rajput forts and Mughal palaces to colonial mansions and Art Deco gems.
• Authentic Restoration: Many properties are maintained by royal families or conservation teams, retaining historical integrity.
• Experiential Lodging: Guests experience living architecture through frescoed halls, courtyards, gardens, and original materials like sandstone, marble, and teak.
• Cultural Connection: These hotels offer insight into India’s layered history, combining luxury with storytelling through design.

Staying Inside History

India’s heritage hotels are more than accommodations—they are living museums of architecture, culture, and history. Every carved balcony, arched doorway, and frescoed wall tells a story of dynasties, design, and time, allowing guests to step into the past while enjoying modern comforts.