Destinations

Devi Garh, Delwara, Udaipur. This boutique hotel was a former fort built in the 1700’s. This upscale hide a way is someplace where you would expect to find Brad & Angelina on holiday! Only 39 all suite rooms, all with a contemporary design and very private. Another out-of this world spa. This is modern India at it’s best. Send your young hip clients.

Amanbagh, Alwar. After all the intensity of traveling around Rajasthan, this is t-h-e place to ‘ relax & recharge’. It is a 2 hour drive from Jaipur, located in the hills, in a area that was favored by the Maharaja’s for hunting. Contemporary architecture, yet with a nod to the past. Sixteen pool pavilions are located on the perimeter of the property, all with lavish enormous baths & sitting areas. No TV! Courtyard & garden rooms are located in the two story structures on either side of the pool. All with sitting areas & lavish marble baths. Another world class spa with traditional & healing therapies. I had my first ever Indian head message. thought I had died & gone to Heaven!! Indoor & outdoor dining with Western & Indian cuisine. Many local activates can be booked from the hotel. We went on a jeep tour to the local village, which was one of the high lights of the trip. Your high end travelers will love this place.

We started in New Delhi with a two night stay at The Imperial Hotel. This simply is the b-e-s-t hotel in the heart of the city. Staff were most courteous & friendly. It has the British colonial feel, very elegant & understated. The lead in category of a Heritage room offers very spacious accommodations with king bed, sitting area and good size marble bath. The one bedroom suites in addition to the large living room offer a spacious dressing area off the marble bath room. There are a variety of additional amenities from butler service to in room massage. The Spice Route Restaurant in the hotel (Asian fustian) is one of the best in Delhi. A wonderful dinner.

Taj Palace, New Delhi. Is a high rise contemporary hotel in the heart of Delhi. Decor was dated, sort of ’80’s feel. You will not find any jet setters there. Rooms were comfortable and this hotel could appeal to business travelers. Club level offers the usual amenities of breakfast & afternoon tea.

The Oberoi, New Delhi. Another high rise contemporary hotel located in the city center. The hotel was full so we were unable to see any rooms. Compared the the other Oberoi hotels, this was not as luxurious. If you have golfers they will like the location by the best course in all of Delhi. The spa is brand new and very luxurious. Overall my top hotel pick for Delhi would be The Imperial.

Next stop Udaipur, a very popular honeymoon destination located by Lake Pichola . We stayed at the Oberoi Udaivalas, which was rated best hotel in Asia by from Conde Nast in 2007. Spectacular entry amid manicured gardens and acres of marble. This luxury resort recreates the ambiance of a royal residence. Only 87 rooms, all feature a sitting area, luxurious marble bath overlooking a private courtyard. The spa is simply fantastic! Two good restaurants with menus of both Continental & Indian cuisine.

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur. Does anyone remember the James Bond movie ‘ Otopussy’, well many scenes were filmed here. The hotel is a marble fantasy that sits in the middle of Lake Pichola. 84 rooms with some suites. This is classified as a ‘heritage’ hotel, which might appeal to a seasoned traveler.

Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur. This resort is truly an oasis set on 32 acres of beautiful gardens, pools & fountains. It is located about an half hour from the city center. Built in 1997 with a contemporary Rajasthani-style design there are deluxe rooms with four poster beds & marble baths. Also 14 deluxe air conditioned tents with lavish bathrooms, teak floors and marble bath. World class spa and dining. Travel & Leisure rated the Rajvilas the third best hotel in the world.

Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra. All 105 luxury rooms & suites have an uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal! Elegantly appointed interiors, all with marble bath & some with private terraces. Many recreational facilities including fitness center, heated pool and library. Another outstanding spa operated by Banyan Tree. Two restaurants, Esphalhan which serves Indian cuisine & Bellevnue offering both Western & Indian cuisine. Not to forget the lobby, bar & tea lounge all offer spectacular views of the Taj Mahal.

I had the pleasure to spend one evening at the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco’s SOMA district. The hotel is well located just a block and a half south of Market Street, near the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the new Museum of the African Diaspora.

Upon check in, you will be asked if you would like the St. Regis Butlers to unpack your suitcases. Although it did sound tempting, I had to pass on having a complete stranger unpack my underwear. However, for the well-heeled this may just feel like a bit of comfort from home! The lobby is hip and contemporary, with beautiful lines throughout. The rooms feature large windows that offer a glimpse of the SOMA area with a beautifully designed bay window and chaise lounge. The bathrooms rank high with a deep soaking tub, and a rain shower head mounted on the ceiling. Although the sounds of the city are detectable throughout the day and night (just how many fire alarms are there south of market on any given day?) the beds were so comfortable, that none of the city ruckus could keep me awake. I mean, REALLY COMFORTABLE! To the point when I woke up, I couldn’t even remember sleeping! The service and food rank high as well, and hanging out in the lobby bar, you just knew that yo are hanging with the “in” crowd

Hotel Rating:

Service 4.5
Ambience 5
Location 5
Overall 4.7