Getting married to the love of your life is a milestone in anyone’s life. Although most of us celebrate this new chapter with grandeur and opulence, we often don’t realize how unique and special the first year of a new life as a married couple is. Call it those quintessential ‘firsts,’ but one activity that truly keeps this blossoming relationship exciting is travelling together. From selecting a destination for a new-age, shorter getaway called a “minimoon,” to celebrating your first wedding anniversary in style, why not do so in a palatial setting?
Image Via Tanvi and Sparsh
Known for their unparalleled luxurious experience with outwardly hospitality as you traverse back to the yesteryear era of regal aplomb rich in heritage éclat, these resplendent monarchial properties built across India are perfect for celebrating a special occasion with your better half.
For Living Like Royalty
Transporting us back to the era of cultural opulence, these top-rated properties seamlessly blend old-world charm with modern-day comforts, resulting in a spectacular experience that will not only provide you with that much-needed quality time with your spouse but also do so in the lap of unrivaled luxury.
Umaid Bhawan Palace
Image Via: Umaid Bhawan Palace
Glistening magnificently in golden sandstone, the mighty Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is perched atop the Blue City, amid 26 acres of lush green gardens. Filled with intricate carvings and details emanating its abounding heritage, get ready to experience a true regal sojourn as you enter a parallel universe. And, with the current members of the royal family still residing in a separate wing, this palace exudes a distinctly timeless allure.
Creating the perfect backdrop for your minimoon or a first wedding anniversary, set foot into a world where art deco splendour meets Rajasthani magnificence. This luxurious property’s elegant rooms and suites are equipped with contemporary amenities and aesthetic furnishings for an authentic royal experience. At the same time, their outdoor and indoor dining restaurants serve delicious cuisine that will tantalize any palate. Whether you’d like to dine on mouthwatering local delicacies passed down for generations of royal chefs, or you’d like to tuck into European favourites, we promise you an unforgettable gastronomical experience that the past Maharajas enjoyed immensely. Moreover, you can also swim in the Zodiac Pool or indulge in some relaxing wellness experiences in the spa. And, here’s a special feature for all you millennial couples who love to post about their travels on social media- the gilded halls and the domed lobby offer a wondrous photo-op corner to celebrate your forever journey together. Lastly, the Umaid Bhawan Palace’s opulent courtyards, arcades, and sweeping Bardari Lawns are worth exploring.
Rambagh Palace
Image Via: Rambagh Palace-Jaipur
Bestowed with the title of the ‘Jewel of Jaipur,’ the majestic Rambagh Palace was built in 1835, and is lauded for retaining its ornate resplendence. Once an abode to the Maharajas, this beautiful retreat is an enticing sanctuary for a special occasion to celebrate the trajectory of your relationship or marriage. Decorated with hand-carved marble latticework, sandstone balustrades, and exuberant Mughal gardens, this royal guesthouse and hunting lodge-turned-heritage palace hotel takes pride in sustaining its ceremonial opulence for all its guests.
Crafting the magnum-opus, romantic experience, enjoy intimate candlelit dinners on the palace lawns, rejuvenate with a luxurious couple’s spa therapy, and awaken to the shaded sunrise and mellow melodies of peacocks in their marvellous gardens. While guests revel in iconic culinary experiences at their diverse restaurants, such as the 18th-century-styled palace ballroom called Suvarna Mahal or the more uber-chic Polo Bar, enhance your palatial odyssey by enjoying a historical heritage walk of the palace and local attractions around the Pink City of Jaipur.
Taj Falaknuma Palace
Image Via: Taj Falaknuma Palace
An architectural icon of Nizami heritage elevated 609 meters above sea level, the Taj Falaknuma Palace stands tall as a gloriously refined embodiment of the erstwhile royal era. Bring in a momentous occasion as your first wedding anniversary at this stately retreat where true love is celebrated with grandeur and grace. Stepping into the lush realm, embark aboard a horse-drawn carriage (uff, giving you the ultimate fairytale experience), as you and your better half fulfill all your charming whims fulfilled at the behest of private butlers. Picture waking up to unfathomable views, strolling across the marble-clad walls, or dining under the starlit sky in a courtyard once graced by kings and queens. While this historic estate has a magical aura, you can also indulge in a rejuvenating couple’s spa therapy at their Jiva Spa or toast champagne to make newer and cherishing old memories in their quintessential Gol Bungalow!
Sounds like quite the dreamlike escape- a resplendent jewel in the crown, doesn’t it?
For a love story that strengthens you
Love is meant to evolve over time, and the wisecracks say that trust and honesty play an integral role in solidifying your bond with your better half. Metaphorically speaking, akin to the gilded charm of the fortress-inspired hotels, how about celebrating your post-marital bliss or the heartening completion of year one in a picturesque structure like these.
Six Senses Fort Barwara
Image Via: @travelbetter.in
Yes, you may know of this beautiful property as the locale where our nation’s starlets, Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal said ‘I Do’ a few years back, but there’s so much more to it! Immersed in over 700 years of spectacular history, are you ready to escape to the awe-inspiring luxury of Six Senses Fort Barwara? This meticulously restored 14th-century fort seamlessly harmonizes regal grandeur with modern treats, providing a secluded oasis for romance. Housing two palaces and two temples within the walled fort, it captivatingly preserves the gracious relics of a bygone era, making it ultra-special.
If you’re not pampering in holistic wellness at their renowned Six Senses Spa, you can relish a private dinner overlooking the majestic hills, and wake up to the sunrise views from your dreamlike suite. Furthermore, its hidden courtyards and the tranquil palace pool subsume you in a tranquil bliss with your bae by your side as you celebrate your love in royal splendour.
Alila Fort Bishangarh
Image Via: Alila Fort Bishangarh
An apt setting for an impassioned immersion, Alila Fort Bishangarh offers a glimpse into the celebrated golden age of nobility and grandeur. This beautiful, ecologically reinstated warrior fort proffers astounding views, intimate experiences, and an ambiance of evergreen romance.
With its aesthetic based on the Jaipur Gharana architecture, the overall aesthetic is influenced by Rajput and Mughal features, the hints of which are seen through the Jharokha windows, traditional daybeds, and myriad motifs.
If the stunning interiors and traditional art forms like pottery and textiles commemorate the region’s antiquated and storied past, allowing you to enjoy an exclusive getaway with your spouse, the expansive eateries let you indulge in a fuzzy candlelit dinner under the stars, or unwind with a tranquil couple’s spa ritual that truly enlivens the experience.
Lastly, discover the fort’s mysterious nooks and courtyards and nearby areas, and let history, heritage, and hospitality weave a spellbinding premise for your love story.
For embracing this new chapter in a sustainable manner
Blending a profound and grand ode to the region’s historical path with the modern need for sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint, how about being mindful of Mother Nature by sourcing local and environmental-friendly products.
Raas Devigarh
Image Via: @raashotels
RAAS Devigarh is a muted sanctuary perched strategically atop a hill in the Aravalli Range, 18km off the main city of Udaipur. Setting the bar high for the next generation of “woke” Indians, this beautifully restored 18th-century heritage property has been consciously updated and designed using environmentally friendly resources and practices. While it is infused with rich aristocratic historical influences, this luxurious, “eco-minded” hotel welcomes you to a world of Marwari horse murals, reflective ante-chambers, courtyards, arches, turrets, swings, marble-clad floral vessels and evening installations of thousand candles and stars- a bewitching testament to the alluring beauty and magic of the old-world Rajputana.
Mixing their quintessential experiential zeitgeist with modern amenities and a luxuriously designed array of suites, enjoy a minimoon or an anniversary getaway amid some mouthwatering delectables and holistic and recreational activities, both while discovering their indoor gems and tourist attractions.
For those who enjoy the whiff of the azure waters
Call yourselves beach babies or not, having access to the ocean or a water body near your accommodation truly lures you with stunning blue views and more. And, if you’re a couple who relishes the best of both worlds, then these suggestions are definitely for you!
Taj Lake Palace
Image Via: Taj Lake Palace
In a classic case of royalty meeting fairytale unions, the Taj Lake Palace stands tall as an architectural marvel, seemingly poised to grace the serene waters of Lake Pichola in Udaipur. Floating like a vision of monarchial romance, this bona fide royal retreat unveils breathtaking panoramas of the azure water expanse, the lush cascading hills, and the ancient city of Udaipur. Once used as a summer oasis for the Mewar Royal Family in the 1700s called the ‘Jag Niwas’ this property was meticulously transformed into a heritage haven in 1963, while retaining its former glory to epitomize lavish living standards under the excellent eye of the Taj Group.
A Mughal-inspired luxury hotel offering 65 rooms and 18 suites, the hotel boasts awe-inspiring chambers decorated with silk, velvet, priceless rugs, traditional Mewari workmanship, and objects d’art that create a sense of regal pizzazz. With its authentically succulent flavours and cocktails, its numerous elegant dining experiences will take you to the juxtaposed heartlands of Rajasthan and European townships. You can make this milestone moment of togetherness truly memorable as you relax on the deck of the pristine white marble palace and take a romantic dinner cruise on the 150-year-old Gangaur, a hand-oared personal barge used by the Maharajas in the past. P.S. A fun fact: did you know that this boat appears in the legendary James Bond movie?
Moreover, you can also indulge in some wellness wonders with your beau as you soak into relaxation at their spa.
The Leela Kovalam
Image Via: The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel
The Leela Raviz heritage property is a luxurious five-star hotel situated on cliff-side promontories in Kovalam, offering splendid panoramas of the Arabian Sea, and thereby amalgamating royal grandeur with coastal serenity. A far contrast from the ornate landscapes of Rajasthan, this luxurious property spans over 67 acres and houses the historic Halcyon Castle, now known as The Kovalam Palace. Known as the erstwhile summer retreat of the Travancore Royal Family, this property features an array of options of accommodations, ranging from the grand Presidential suites and Sea-side villas to the more traditionally designed rooms, named after famous Indian queens.
Providing an apt blend of modern comforts and rejuvenating charm, this southern coastal town lets you unwind and soak in the salty sea breeze as its waves vociferously whisper tales of true love and unfathomable beauty. From going beach-hopping or shopping for local handlooms and spices to unleashing your adventurous spirit by indulging in water sports like scuba diving or sashaying through their organic garden and enjoying a host of cuisines, end your love-glazed sojourn with one of their popular Ayurvedic spa treatments. After all, reviving your spirit with your loved one in ‘God’s own country’ sounds captivating, doesn’t it?
For those couples who want a taste of the unusual
Are you tired of hearing of the usual holiday recommendations, and are looking for a stay that is more personalized and out of the ordinary? Well, then boutique hotels are your best bet, and we have an amazing recommendation for the same.
Villa Palladio
Image Via: @villa.palladio.jaipur
Having recently opened its gates to guests in 2022, what’s truly special and unique about Villa Palladio in Jaipur is that it touts itself as a boutique, nine-room, gracious country estate that has been influenced by the phenomenal traditions of regal Indian hospitality. Through personalized attention and detail from their world-class facilities and staff, they promise to surprise you with an impressive dream-like experience that cannot be attained anywhere else, enticing you with a vibrant blend of age-old beauty and allure.
Literally out of a fairytale, this quaint retreat goes above and beyond to ensure that its guests have a pleasurable stay, and being a charming, cozy abode lends it an air of an impassioned locale, apt for an anniversary celebration with your better half.
For those who like the winter chills
Think of snuggly fireplaces and cozy lodging, majestic white peaks, lush green ferns, hilly terrains, and inviting townships as the cooling breeze wafts through your spirits, letting you and your partner truly soak in every moment of an unforgettable getaway in the making. And, these resorts will further elevate your experience.
Wildflower Hall
Image Via: @wildflowerhall
Wildflower Hall, an Oberoi Resort, lies at 8,250 feet in the Himalayas and offers a luring mix of royal grandeur and serene relaxation, perfect for a mini-moon or first anniversary.
With breathtaking views of the mountains that are painted with glistening snow in the latter part of the year, and whispering pines that turn this stunning town of Shimla into a majestic winter wonderland, this former residence of Lord Kitchener offers breathtaking views, colonial-era elegance, and world-class luxury. Unwind in an open-air jacuzzi amidst panoramic views, relax with a couple’s spa session, and enjoy a garden picnic or candlelit dinner at this picturesque property resembling a scene right out of your romantic vision board. Here, every moment is designed for love and celebration with personalized service and unparalleled tranquility.
The Khyber Resort & Spa
Image Via: The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa
“Soulful places remain alive forever.” Following this adage, the Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa is a peaceful, idyllic sanctuary devoted to nature and is India’s only boutique, luxury ski resort, situated at an altitude of 8,825 feet above sea level in the middle of Gulmarg. Featuring 85 keys and unrivalled dining, wellness, and experiential amenities, this heavenly abode lets you surrender to the changing season from summer to fall, magnificently. It is a stunning locale where you can take a beat to recoil and undertake adventures, where the vigour of summer and the enrapturing spell of snow-capped winters are found in abundance.
Imagine waking up to panoramic mountain views, cozying up next to your fireplace in your plush suite, and indulging in soul-soothing spa rituals for couples at their heavenly facility. Moreover, there is nothing like taking a romantic gondola ride up to the highest ski slopes, strolling through a lush pine forest, or enjoying an intimate candle-lit dinner with Kashmiri delicacies through the lush mountain forests.
With unmatched hospitality, world-class luxury, and nature’s finest backdrop, The Khyber Resort transforms your romantic getaway into an unforgettable fairytale.
For those who love to retreat under the stars
Oh hello, it’s time do go glamping, aka, harboring your venturesome side with a glamorous twist and luxurious offerings. And, we have just the suggestion for that!
Aman-I-Khas
Image Via: @aman
If you are looking for an extraordinary mix of adventure and luxury, Aman-i-Khás is a befitting retreat for your honeymoon or first wedding anniversary. An ultra-luxurious tented camp nestled on the edge of Ranthambore National Park captures the essence of royal luxury and untamed wilderness.
With a plush four-poster bed, deep soaking tub, and private sun deck, your lavish Mughal-inspired tent overlooks the jungle. Embark on an exciting private safari, where you might have the chance to see majestic Royal Bengal tigers in their stunningly beautiful natural habitat- its gold and green hues providing a picture-perfect backdrop. Unwind with a signature couple’s spa ritual, followed by an intimate dinner under the stars, with gourmet delicacies that have been prepared over an open flame to complement the exhilarating day.
The Aman-i-Khás offers a love story like no other, written in the heart of Rajasthan’s wild beauty.
For those who love a dash of cinematic razzmatazz
Call it a cult classic when it comes to redefining the quintessence of the big fat Indian destination weddings, but Yeh Jawaani Hain Deewani did teach us a thing or two about living life in zest! Particularly, while this film broke all sorts of chartbusters in different realms, it also popularized the loved-up destination on the block for weddings- Udaipur. Without further ado, check out its artistically designed backdrop, apt for even a monumental first in your life.
The Oberoi Udaivilas
Image Via: The Oberoi Udaivilas
Nestled on the banks of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, The Oberoi Udaivilas is a classic architectural masterpiece combining regal splendor with unsurpassed luxury and superior experiences.
There is nothing quite like stepping inside a world of domed architecture, grand courtyards, and intricate frescoes, reminiscent of Udaipur’s royal heritage. Make a treasure trove of memories with your spouse by embarking on a spectacular sunset cruise on a private boat, or unwind in the luxury of your pool-facing suite that offers direct access to a magnificent semi-private pool, and enjoy a mouthwatering dinner by the lake under a stellar canopy of a myriad of twinkling lights and flickering torches. While their holistic couple’s spa therapies will help you rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit, taking a stroll through their lush gardens, adorned with Mughal-inspired fountains and pavilions, will transport you to an era of bedazzled Rajasthani brilliance.
In every aspect of your stay at The Oberoi Udaivilas, you will experience a fusion of artistic excellence and romantic grandeur, ensuring that your love story unfolds in an environment as extraordinary as your bond.
Now, now! Giving you a visual and an experiential glimpse of what your minimoon or anniversary celebrations could uphold, which of these properties would you opt for? Let us know in the comments below!