Hotels & Accommodations

11 beautiful new hotels in India to book right now

Published

2 days ago

July 24, 2025

This haveli was built shortly after Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II set up the city of Jaipur. Padmaa scores for its location in the beating heart of the city, its greatest hits all within walking distance: the City Palace and Hawa Mahal are about 15 minutes, the cloth merchants of Johari Bazaar are about the same, and Samrat’s legendary samosas in Bapu Bazaar are even closer. For most of its 290 years, the haveli served as a family home for seven generations of the Shah family. The space for the restaurant and bar is a lapidary, from where the family ran its gemstone business. And the al fresco dining area on the upper level was a chandni where the cousins spent many a moonlit night. The creative force behind the haveli’s transformation into a boutique hotel is Shashwat Shah, one of the partners at Umrao Jewels. The haveli itself is named after his grandmother, and a nod to her can be seen by the foyer where his brother Shaleen has mounted an assemblage of objects from her daily use. There are 15 wallpapered and delicately upholstered suites that span two floors of the property. Padmaa, Jaipur serves vegetarian meals only, with concessions for eggs. Dishes like parathas, Indori poha, bajre ki raab, and others are served at breakfast while mealtime menus lean towards comfort fare. Rajasthani meals get a special spot on the menu and deservedly so with dishes like gatte ki sabzi,, served with hot rotis and ghee. Though the property is best experienced in winter months, the neighbourhood is particularly exciting around Diwali and Sankranti in November and January, respectively, when the skies are full of lanterns and kites, best enjoyed from the terrace. Doubles from Rs15,000. – Salil Deshpande

Sariska Lodge

Spread over 15 acres, Sariska Lodge has been built in the local stone-and-wood architectural style. The Tehla gate of Sariska Tiger Reserve is less than 150 metres from the lodge. There are ten suites, including four Mountain Suites with sweeping Aravalli views, four Pool Suites with terrazzo bathtubs and two plunge pools between them, and two Fort Suites with private rooftops and views of the 18th-century Tehla Fort. The overarching aesthetic is minimalist with neutral colours, dark wood furnishing, and leather accents. Most of the furniture is made onsite using repurposed wood, and the wildlife motif blinds are hand woven locally using indigenous black cotton. Meals are served across the property and beyond, whether it’s the dining room where your pizza arrives freshly baked from the outdoor wood-fired oven or cocktails by the fireplace or a romantic dinner at an ancient chhatri a short drive away. Huge fresh salads, pizzas, pasta, and Indian fare are a stand-out as are desserts such as seviyan kheer, chocolate brownies, and an exquisite crème caramel. Sonam Zangpo from Bhutan presides over a wellness centre that offers a range of therapies combining Ayurvedic treatments with Tibetan healing. The wellness centre also offers guided yoga and meditation on the open rooftop or a sunrise session at Tehla Fort. Doubles from Rs15,500.— Prachi Joshi

Fairmont Udaipur

The new Fairmont Udaipur Palace is a sprawling Rajput-style structure built into the Aravallis, envisioned as the setting for celebrations. Fairmont Udaipur Palace incorporates Indo-Islamic architectural flourishes into a contemporary design. The property utilises the natural undulations of the land to create multiple levels of residences, gardens, and recreation spaces, all of which are connected by the central lobby on the 7th level. With 327 rooms, 142,743sq ft of event space, an in-house team dedicated to weddings and an array of F&B options to pick from, this is a hotel that is no doubt designed keeping big fat wedding extravaganzas in mind. Rooms and suites range across categories from signature twins and kings with balconies, cabanas and plunge pools to suites with living/dining spaces as well as outdoor terraces and pools. Touches of Udaipur’s heritage like gilded mirrors and intricately carved Rajasthani woodwork, as well as the natural surroundings find their way into artworks placed across the hotel, commissioned from local artists. The property is designed with waterbodies as its centrepiece, including two common pools, a decorative stepwell, suites with plunge pools, a lotus pond and a plethora of marble fountains and water features. The facade itself is reminiscent of the City Palace, with its vast corridors, jharokhas, domes, marble inlay, thikri work and hand-painted walls. There are plenty of dining options from Sitara, a sun-drenched atrium bar by day and a moodily lit salon by night, Mehfil, the hotel’s entertainment and F&B hub with an open-to-the-sky courtyard, Bahaar, the all-day multicuisine diner. Two stunning Marwari horses are available on the property to enjoy a morning ride on the hotel grounds. Rounding up the offerings is a multi-pronged wellness programme at the two-level Fairmont Spa & Salon with Indian, Asian and western therapies, plus activities for the whole family at their onsite mini golf course, pickleball and paddleball courts, and dedicated kids’ zone. For activities outside, the hotel can organise tours that suit your interests, from food walks to Pichwai art trails, shopping in antique stores, as well as excursions to the famous Nathdwara Temple. Doubles from Rs25,000. – Diya Kohli

Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur

Jaideep Oberoi

A quick 25-minute drive from the airport brings you to Jaipur’s newest hotel, Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, the grandest tenant on an otherwise largely barren strip of highway on the outskirts of Jaipur. Rajputana history served as the mood board while building the hotel. Be it in the materials—yellowstone from Jaisalmer, marble from Banswara and Makrana, and locally sourced wood. Or the artworks that include portraits of Rajput warriors and royalty. Spread over 5.5 acres, Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur’s money shot—its main façade, complete with jharokas, jaali work, and detailed carvings—found inspiration in Jaipur’s Amber Fort, and has even been painted in the same colours as the historical site’s walls during golden hour. The property is home to 150 rooms and suites, spread across five categories, with most overlooking the inner courtyard or Jai Bagh. The rooms start at 335sq ft, with the two-bedroom Presidential Suite a generous 1,860sq ft. The sumptuous, modern rooms feature ample hat tips to its location—zardozi on the pillows, thikri work on the headboards, wooden jharokas by the window nooks, and Mughal miniature art on the walls. Amrit Mahal is the hotel’s all-day dining venue which opens out to the poolside, and Bawdi Bagh, with a menu spanning a continental buffet and Indian classics. Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur delivers on the decadent thalis, and executive chef Sunil Jajoria’s inventiveness shines through in the tasting menus like the Rajasthani tapas chef’s table. Perfected over 20 trials, this menu looks at his own family recipes to how the maharajas entertained. You start off with hummus that tastes like Bikaneri bhujia, moving on to ker sangri kebabs, and Shekhawati maas tacos. You can pair this menu with the ‘Echoes of Distillation’ spirit tasting of heritage liquor from the royal family of Mahansar. The spa experience is an important pillar of any Anantara property and the 2,600sq ft space on the same floor as the pool and gym, has five treatment rooms and a salon, with a dedicated Thai massage room. Even though the hotel is about an hour from the city centre, the team organises visits to Amber Fort, an early morning trip to the flower market, and come winter, guided farming experiences as well. There’s also a private visit to Hathi Gaon, which is a community of rescue elephants residing in their natural habitat. Doubles from Rs15,000. – Praachi Raniwala

Fairmont Mumbai

Neville Sukhia

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Hotels & Accommodations

These Are the 10 Best Hotels in Puerto Rico

Published

37 minutes ago

July 26, 2025

Carley Rojas Avila

I’ve visited Puerto Rico since I was a kid, and I’m lucky to have family here—it’s a home away from home for me. But, in my humble opinion, Puerto Rico truly has something for every kind of traveler.

History buffs will swoon as soon as they step onto the cobblestone streets of 500-year-old San Juan, while foodies and culture lovers will find many things to see and do in neighborhoods like Santurce and Condado that they’ll need to plan a return trip. Plus, with sands ranging from inky black to white as snow, Puerto Rican beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean.

And no matter what kind of trip you hope to have, Puerto Rico has a hotel to match. I’ve regularly visited the island for 15 years now—these are the 10 best hotels in Puerto Rico, based on my experience.

Top Hotels to Book

Meet the Expert

Carley Rojas Ávila is a bilingual journalist who specializes in writing about travel, culture, and cuisine. Though she’s been to over 40 countries across the globe, she has a soft spot for the Caribbean—she’s lived and worked in four different countries there and visited over 50 hotels across the region. However, she finds herself frequently returning to one island specifically: Puerto Rico. She’s been going to the Isle of Enchantment for over 15 years, and has stayed in some of the country’s best hotels.

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Exterior walkway with view of the ocean at Dorado Beach.

Marriott

The story of Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve dates back to the 1950s, when businessman Laurance Rockefeller (yes, as in those Rockefellers) purchased 50 acres of what was once a grapefruit and coconut plantation with the intent to turn it into a posh seaside retreat. Today, this 2025 World’s Best Awards-winning resort is home to 96 rooms and villas, each with ocean views and access to a long stretch of coastline that’s made Dorado Beach such a coveted destination.

The only thing that managed to drag me away from the palm-fringed beachfront during my time at the resort was the Spa Botánico, the property’s oversized wellness haven that sprawls across five lush acres. Here, guests can check out the on-site apothecary, two treehouse-style treatment rooms, and 10 freestanding villas—it’s a spa experience that rivals most that you’ll find in the Caribbean.

The Details

Location: Dorado
Nearest Airport: 26 miles to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Family-friendly or Adults-only: Family-friendly
Restaurant Reservations: Reservations are required at some restaurants.
Accessibility: The property has three categories of accessible rooms, accessible entrances to pools, and other resort facilities. There are also accommodations for guests with hearing and visual impairments.
Rates: $$$$

Condado Vanderbilt Hotel

A guest room in Condado Vanderbilt.

Condado Vanderbilt

For over a century, the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel has reigned supreme from its posh spot on Ashford Avenue, welcoming guests like John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and actor Errol Flynn. Its classic charm and elegance have earned it a regular spot in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards.

My first stay at the Condado Vanderbilt coincided with an unseasonably rainy weekend in San Juan, but instead of watching the waves crash from my covered oceanfront balcony, I booked a treatment at the spa instead. Just a few minutes into my hour-long treatment in the hammam, I was scrubbed, soaked, and otherwise soothed into vacation mode. I emerged to find the sun shining—just in time to dig into a lunch poolside.

The Details

Location: San Juan
Nearest Airport: 5 miles to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Family-friendly or Adults-only: Family-friendly
Restaurant Reservations: Reservations are required at some restaurants.
Accessibility: Facilities and select rooms are fully wheelchair accessible. Visual and audio amenities are available for people with hearing and vision impairments are available upon request.
Rates: $$

Finca Victoria

A guest room in Finca Victoria.

Finca Victoria

Head to the island of Vieques for Finca Victoria, a wellness-focused boutique hotel that’s one of the most unique stays in the entire Caribbean. This is one of my favorite places to stay in the region (and T+L’s too, as it made an appearance on the 2020 It List) and you can find this property atop one of the highest hills on the island.

The property has a variety of one-of-a-kind accommodations, ranging from standalone cabins and houses to breathtaking multilevel treehouses complete with outdoor showers and kitchens. There’s a hidden-away garden pool with lounge space, boutique, and cafe, plus a yoga pavilion where you can listen to the sound of coquí frogs and the breeze rustling fruit trees. A small but mighty spa offers everything from Ayurvedic therapies and Western massages to Chinese traditional medicine-inspired treatments—another reason this has become such a coveted wellness destination.

The Details

Location: Vieques
Nearest Airport: 2 miles to Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport (VQS)
Family-friendly or Adults-only: Adults-only
Restaurant Reservations: Reservations are not required.
Accessibility: The property has one wheelchair-accessible room, plus a removable ramp that can be added to access many facilities, though paths and unpaved areas may be challenging to navigate.
Rates: $

Caribe Hilton

Aerial view of the pool area at Caribe Hilton.

Caribe Hilton

In the big world of rum-related experiences to be had in Puerto Rico, there is one thing that tops my list every time: cozying up to Caribar in the Caribe Hilton, the birthplace of the piña colada. Since its start in 1949, this tropical yet cosmopolitan San Juan institution has welcomed everyone from Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren to Barack Obama. The hustle and bustle of the city seems to melt away at this 17-acre property, which is surrounded by pristine beaches and covered with tropical gardens that are peppered with a collection of swimming pools. You can catch me here, lounging in a hammock under a palm tree after the piña colada kicks in—it’s an obligatory stop every time I’m on the island.

The Details

Location: San Juan
Nearest Airport: 6 miles to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Family-friendly or Adults-only: Family-friendly
Restaurant Reservations: Reservations are required at some restaurants.
Accessibility: Seven different categories of rooms and suites are fully wheelchair accessible, and the grounds feature wheelchair-accessible paths of travel and pool lifts. A beach wheelchair is available to borrow.
Rates: $

La Concha Resort

Aerial view of the beach at La Concha.

La Concha

Since its 1958 debut, La Concha Resort has stopped guests in their tracks with its eye-catching, seashell-shaped structure that you can spot from the beach. In 2023, the resort went through a $45 million renovation and entered a new era. That seashell? It’s now home to a dining destination that’s the talk of San Juan: Levant, helmed by award-winning chef Michael White. Amidst the debut of Levant, La Concha Resort also unveiled 238 renovated rooms and suites, as well as the sushi and sake-centric Tekka Bar by Takashi Segawa.

The Details

Location: San Juan
Nearest Airport: 5 miles to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Family-friendly or Adults-only: Family-friendly
Restaurant Reservations: Reservations are required at some restaurants.
Accessibility: The resort is fully ADA compliant throughout rooms and facilities, with lifts at every pool and beach wheelchairs available to borrow.
Rates: $

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort

Interior bar area in St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort.

Marriott

The second you pull through the gates at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, just a short drive from San Juan, you’ll feel the stress rolling off of you. What awaits at this World’s Best Awards-winning resort feels like a remote tropical escape. Oceanfront buildings, connected by winding paths hidden by lush tropical foliage, house a collection of 139 luxe rooms and suites. Somehow, they seem like beach bungalows rather than traditional hotel rooms.

I spent a long weekend couples trip cocooned in the pure Caribbean bliss of what is easily one of the island’s most luxurious resorts, snuggled up under an umbrella with a pitcher of mojitos on the resort’s long, luscious beach, and chatting for hours on a private oceanfront terrace under moonlight. The food at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Paros, was so good that we joked about going back every night and ordering the same thing. I wonder, could there be a more well-rounded place to stay in Puerto Rico than the St. Regis?

The Details

Location: Rio Grande
Nearest Airport: 22 miles to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Family-friendly or Adults-only: Family-friendly
Restaurant Reservations: Reservations are required at some restaurants.
Accessibility: There are two room categories with accessible rooms. The grounds have ramps, pool lifts, and wheelchairs are available to borrow.
Rates: $$

Fairmont El San Juan

A bar inside Fairmont El San Juan.

Eric Laignel/Accor

Fairmont El San Juan was named the best resort in Puerto Rico by T+L readers in the 2025 World’s Best Awards, and it’s no surprise why. Your recurring daydream of spending unending hours splayed out on the beach should take place right here, on the beaches of Isla Verde, located on the edge of San Juan. I gave into the daydream and booked a stay this summer with my three-year-old son—parents, take note, there are few better places to stay on the island than this.

Beyond the beach, this 388-room resort embodies that “the best-is-at-your-fingertips” feeling that makes it such a dreamy destination for a fly-and-flop style getaway. 13 drinking and dining venues offer everything from fresh Italian pasta and pizza to elevated Puerto Rican cuisine at Caña, while a casino, cabaret, and jam-packed schedule of live entertainment ensures that you’ll never get bored.

The Details

Location: San Juan
Nearest Airport: 1 mile to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Family-friendly or Adults-only: Family-friendly
Restaurant Reservations: Reservations are required at some restaurants.
Accessibility: Several different room categories have fully accessible rooms. Most facilities, including the pool, are wheelchair accessible.
Rates: $$

Aire De O:live

A guest room in Aire De O:live.

Aire De O:live

Named one of the best new hotels in the world by T+L when it debuted in 2023, Aire de O:live is the third San Juan property of the growing O:live collection, a brand known for its beachy boutique hotels packed with personality. Sites along a gorgeous stretch of sand, Aire de O:live marries elements of a typical Caribbean resort with a pared-down, connection-focused boutique experience.

There’s a subtle South Beach vibe to this soaring white building that sits almost directly on bluffs of white sand, though the muted interiors are serene and earthy. The rooftop has a pool with a view, but trust me, splurging for the suites with private plunge pools is well worth it. A tip I almost hesitate to share? The rooftop offers day passes for non-guests.

The Details

Location: San Juan
Nearest Airport: 2 miles to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Family-friendly or Adults-only: Adults-only
Restaurant Reservations: Reservations are recommended, not required.
Accessibility: There are wheelchair-accessible rooms and facilities here, but getting to the pool and beach may be a challenge.
Rates: $

Alma San Juan

Even with 500 years of history under its belt, Old San Juan bursts with vibrancy and vigor, an ever-exciting place to stay even if the beach isn’t within view. With a slew of new boutique hotels popping up along cobblestone streets, let Plaza Colón-facing Alma San Juan be at the top of your list. Historic hotels sometimes have cramped, stuffy rooms, but here, spacious spaces feature fresh, modern decor and little luxuries like Molton Brown amenities—everything you’ll crave after a day spent exploring the old city.

Alma San Juan has a darling lobby cafe and a delicious signature restaurant, but the real star is the rooftop eatery, Mar y Rosa. Its raw bar menu features ceviche and spicy aguachile accompanying tapas-style dishes like mouthwatering mofongo and pork belly pinchos made for sharing.

The Details

Location: San Juan
Nearest Airport: 8 miles to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Family-friendly or Adults-only: Adults-only
Restaurant Reservations: Reservations are recommended, not required.
Accessibility: Facilities are wheelchair accessible throughout and include features like braille signage and strobe lights. Fully ADA-compliant guest rooms available.
Rates: $

El Conquistador Resort

In his chart-topping song “El Apagón,” Bad Bunny says, “Forget the Maldives, I’ll stay in Palomino.” What he’s referring to is the private island extension of this World’s Best Award-winning resort, located just outside the small town of Fajardo. And the singer is certainly not exaggerating: hopping onto the guests-only ferry out to Palomino Island feels like moving from paradise to heaven itself. Here, you’ll find a 100-acre stretch of fine white sands, crystal-clear water, and palapa-shaded lounge chairs scattered around a beachside eatery.

Back on the mainland, El Conquistador Resort is much more than just its private island. This 677-room, family-friendly property gives you access to waterslides, a lazy river, and a lagoon pool, plus an array of restaurants and bars that will keep you full throughout your stay. Its location in Fajardo also makes it an easy jumping -ff point for day trips to the pristine Cayo Icacos or to nearby Ceiba, where you can catch the ferry to the islands of Culebra or Vieques.

The Details

Location: Fajardo
Nearest Airport: 34 miles to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Family-friendly or Adults-only: Family-friendly
Restaurant Reservations: Reservations are required at some restaurants.
Accessibility: Facilities and select rooms are wheelchair accessible, including a pool entry lift and accommodations for visual and hearing impairments. Palomino Island is fully ADA-compliant and has a beach wheelchair with oversized wheels available for guests to borrow.
Rates: $

Know Before You Go

Aerial view of a beach in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Maridav/Getty Images

Puerto Rico has no true all-inclusive resorts.

Yes, you read that right. While some hotels and resorts in Puerto Rico offer modified dining plans as add-ons to standard hotel rates, Puerto Rico has no true all-inclusive resorts. However, while this should definitely factor into your decision-making, keep in mind that the island is still rich in cuisine, activities, and attractions—and you might not want to feel trapped inside a resort, anyways.

No passport needed for U.S. travelers.

U.S. travelers do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico and do not have to pass through customs and immigration when entering or exiting the island. For non-U.S. travelers, the same entry and exit requirements apply for Puerto Rico as they do when traveling anywhere else in the mainland United States.

Spanish or English?

English is widely spoken across Puerto Rico, but travelers should keep in mind that Spanish is the island’s universal language. Don’t assume that everyone you meet will speak English. Making an effort to speak even a little Spanish will go a long way here. With that being said, travelers should feel comfortable knowing they’ll get by even if their Spanish is rusty.

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Hotels & Accommodations

Nedous Hotel, others Continue Operations on Govt Land Despite High Court Eviction Order

Published

1 hour ago

July 26, 2025

KNS

Srinagar, July 26 (KNS): The Nedous and several other Hotels in Gulmarg continues to operate on government land nearly seven years after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court ordered its eviction, following a finding that the hotel was occupying the land without a valid lease.

According to official records and the High Court judgment dated September 6, 2018, the hotel has been functioning without a valid lease since its expiry on December 31, 1985. The court noted that while the original lease granted in 1963 was for 2 kanals and 13 marlas of land, the hotel had expanded over the years to occupy nearly 98 kanals—an increase not backed by official authorization.

The Division Bench, led by then Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Alok Aradhe, held the occupation to be unauthorized under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1988. It also rejected the hotel’s plea for lease renewal, citing a February 2015 government communication that declined the request.

The court ruled that renewal of lease, especially on public land, is not a matter of right and must follow a transparent process.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelIt noted that public land should be dealt with in a uniform and legal manner.

Before the High Court ruling, the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) had served an eviction notice on the hotel on March 31, 2015. An eviction order followed on April 25, 2015, after which the hotel was asked to vacate the premises within seven days. The hotel, however, challenged the order in court.

While rejecting the challenge, the High Court emphasized that filing renewal applications or depositing rent does not grant legal rights without approval from competent authorities. The court also observed that any future lease of public land must be based on open and competitive procedures.

The government, in its submissions, stated that the fencing around the encroached land had been removed and that eviction was to follow. It also claimed that documents submitted by the hotel did not fully reflect the actual extent of the lease.

Despite the court order, eviction proceedings have not been carried out, and the hotel continues its operations.(KNS)

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