Today’s discerning travellers seek a genuine connection to nature, local culture, and one’s own sense of wellbeing. Take for instance, The Kyagar, nestled along the ancient Silk Route in Nubra Valley, Ladakh. Visitors here love the village walk to the nearby Kyagar village, which is mostly agrarian and is still untouched by modernisation.

A visit to the 250-year-old aristocratic Zimskhang home run by three women of different generations is a learning experience about the Ladakhi way of living. Aahana Resort in Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand, showcases how thoughtful design can transform a landscape. “Aahana was designed not to impose on nature but to blend with it. We’ve used refurbished wood from Alang’s historic ships and collaborated with local artisans to handcraft everything from chandeliers to bedside tables,” says Tripathi, adding, “Luxury here isn’t about opulence, it’s quiet indulgence.”

Boutique hotels can give large chains a run for their money with experiences curated specially for each traveller like sampling authentic regional dishes like Bhatt ki churkani, Aloo ke gutke, Fiddlehead quiche and Bhang ki chutney at The Kumaon in Binsar, Uttarakhand, where one can explore the unique, foraged ingredients that shape the region’s culinary traditions. The jam-making experience, where chefs guide visitors in process of crafting jams from fresh local fruits using traditional methods is a much-loved experience by patrons.

Equally loved is Punjab, that land of larger than life kings. Ran Baas—The Palace, set within Patiala’s 18th-century Qila Mubarak, opened in November 2024 as Punjab’s first luxury boutique palace hotel. This 35-suite property, restored by renowned conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, blends Mughal, Rajput, Sikh, and early Colonial design influences. The design showcases intricate floral frescoes, hand-carved sandstone jaalis, and high-vaulted ceilings, with each suite carefully curated with custom-period furniture and artwork inspired by original palace motifs.

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