From palaces afloat on tranquil lakes to private backwater hideaways, India offers indulgent escapes fit for royalty. Castle and King, your curator of extraordinary journeys, invites you to explore five of the subcontinent’s most exclusive experiences – each blending rich heritage with total privacy and exquisite personalized service. These destinations showcase India’s deep history and natural beauty, yet elevate every moment to the realm of immersive luxury.

Udaipur’s Lake Pichola at dawn, where floating palaces and gardens recall a bygone royal era. In the City of Lakes, two iconic resorts redefine luxury. Taj Lake Palace sits serenely on its own island – a 1740s marble summer palace now transformed into a gleaming hotel. Perched on the water, it promises “luxury and grandeur” with opulent suites, columned courtyards and impeccable service tajhotels.com. Nearby, The Oberoi Udaivilas sprawls over 30 acres with just 87 rooms – roughly an acre for every three guest rooms, ensuring unparalleled seclusion oberoihotels.com. Built like a low-rise palace, Udaivilas weaves Udaipur’s traditions into every detail: its gardens, courtyards and halls are lined with local artisans’ stonework and antiques, so guests feel as if on an “artistic tour of Mewar”oberoihotels.com. Both resorts offer private plunge pools, lakeside dining and butler-like service. Over evening kulfis and Rajput thalis, you might watch the palaces glow at sunset – an intimate setting made possible by thoughtful touches like exclusive boat transfers across the lake or moonlit rooftop dinners.

The pink sandstone facade of Hawa Mahal glows in Jaipur’s evening light, echoing centuries of royal craft. In Jaipur, the Pink City’s royal legacy takes center stage. The famed Rambagh Palace was originally built in 1835 and later expanded into the Maharaja’s main residenceen.wikipedia.org. Today it shines as a sumptuous Taj hotel, where Mughal arches, Mughal-style chandeliers and manicured rose gardens evoke a bygone era. Wander the fragrant courtyards at dusk or enjoy high tea on the lawn, with attentive staff anticipating your every whim. (We can even arrange private visits to the city’s forts or an exclusive hot-air balloon ride over Amber Fort at sunrise.) By night, tailor-made banquets await in marbled halls: perhaps a Rajasthani folk dance under stars, followed by a personalized tour of the palace’s private suites. Whether gazing out over Jaipur’s red rooftops or relaxing in a pavilion once reserved for royalty, the feeling of living history and total privacy is palpable.

A Royal Bengal tiger prowls through Ranthambore’s wilderness at dusk. Next, venture into Ranthambore National Park for an exclusive wildlife safari. Even here, luxury reigns. SUJÁN Sher Bagh is a legendary tented camp on a private estate just outside the park. With only 12 lavishly furnished tents set amid mango orchards and lawns, it offers an intimate safari base. https://thesujanlife.com/sher-bagh The camp’s design is straight out of a colonial novel: canvas roofs and teak campaign furniture, oil lamps and inviting lounges. Meals are served under the stars on crisp linens – the famous sher (lion) tikiya (fireplace) and a thali of local delicacies – and morning safaris come with hot tea or champagne flutes at dawn. Here, even your tent can rival a suite: Deluxe Tented Suites include private Jacuzzis and the Royal Suite even has its own plunge pools. Back from the jungle, treat yourself to an Ayurvedic spa in your tent or an outdoor massage. In this secluded camp you can truly unwind, knowing tigers are ambling in the distance, while you enjoy five-star comfort and the warm, personal touch of Sher Bagh’s staff.

The tranquil Ganges at sunrise, hinting at spiritual serenity in the Himalayan foothills. In the north, Rishikesh and the Himalayas offer a different kind of luxury – one of wellness and serenity. On a 100-acre estate overlooking the Ganges lies Ananda in the Himalayas, India’s award-winning destination spaen.wikipedia.org. Housed in a restored Maharaja’s palace, Ananda was India’s first full wellness retreat, blending Yoga, Ayurveda and modern spa therapiesen.wikipedia.org. Your private villa opens onto misty mountain views, and days are spent with tailored yoga and meditation sessions, Ayurvedic consultations, and treatments like Abhyanga massage or shirodhara. The resort sources organic Ayurvedic cuisine for your personal menu, and local experiences – such as a guided hill trek or a secret riverside temple visit – can be arranged exclusively. The emphasis is on holistically rejuvenating each guest; indeed, Ananda has been ranked among the world’s best spas. Here, the only interruption to silence might be the call of the jungle or the distant chant of morning prayers along the river, all enveloped in five-star pampering.

A handcrafted houseboat drifts under swaying palms on Kerala’s backwaters. Finally, travel to Kerala’s backwater lagoons, where luxury moves at a gentle pace. In Kumarakom, Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond is an intimate Ayurvedic haven. Nestled on Lake Vembanad amid coconut palms and lotus ponds, its ten pool villas and suites (many with private pools) are elevated on stilts or set in landscaped gardens. This “luxury ayurveda 5-star resort” promises total privacy and renewalniraamaya.com. Days here might include gliding in your private houseboat through emerald canals, visiting village spice plantations, and enjoying Kerala’s famed seafood in an open-air pavilion. (You really can “savor authentic Kerala cuisine” on your own terraceniraamaya.com.) Every detail is personalized – be it an in-villa yoga class at dawn or a tailor-made Ayurvedic treatment course – so you leave feeling thoroughly refreshed. At sunset on the infinity pool deck you’ll toast the day with a view of tranquil waters, just as monarchs once did on these peaceful shores.

Castle and King invites discerning travelers to immerse themselves in these timeless journeys. Our expert guides weave together history, culture and indulgence into a seamless adventure – from private palace tours and candlelit backwater cruises to exclusive spa rituals and wildlife safaris. Ready to begin your bespoke Indian odyssey? Contact Castle and King to plan the ultimate luxury itinerary, where every detail is crafted just for you.