Colonial hotels in India serve as the perfect getaway for the weary souls

India 'the land of contrasts' mystifies, captivates and enamors everyone who comes to explore the country's scenic beauty, culinary traditions, rich culture and a variety of other interesting facets that make India one of the world's most diverse and captivating countries. For the uninitiated ones, hospitality is fundamental to the Indian culture; Indians in general are considered as hospitable, hardworking, honest and humble. Indians are also proud of their culture and past and along the tour you will find many Indians encouraging you to visit the places that give a good sense of Indian history, architecture and traditional crafts.

One of the many important events in the Indian history that still has its presence felt is the period when India was under British Empire. This period of history was dominated by the European colonisers who stayed in India and had a great influence not only on the socio-economic background but also on the artistic milieu. One can see the remnants of the era like Gateway of India in Mubai, Fort St. George in Chennai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai also known as Victoria Terminus Station and many more.

Also the villas, residences or summer houses previously occupied by English officers are now converted into colonial hotels and they occupy a huge market in India. Colonial hotels in India attract a lot of tourists from all over the world as they successfully combine old-world charm with modern day luxury. Some examples of top-notch colonial hotels in India would be Hotel Colonial Villa in Lansdowne, The Verandah in the Forest or the Barr House in Matheran, The Imperial in New Delhi, Neemrana Fort Palace located in Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Le Colonial in Cochin, Hotel De L'orient Pondicherry, The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla, just to name a few.

If you plan to take a trip along the snow-capped mountains of Himalayas then Darjeeling is a must-see place. And if you are a lover of old-world charm then this town is the best bet for you as it is crammed up with colonial hotels. Hotels like The Mayfair Resort, Hotel Garuda, Hotel Apsara, et al, with a strong colonial flavor deck up the picturesque town. The town of Darjeeling has something for everyone - from the lavish spender to the more budgeted traveler, everyone can get a taste of old-world life. Budget-conscious folks can stay in hotels like Cozy Nest Homestay, The Pine Ridge Hotel, the Old Bellevue Heritage Hotel etc.

Any write-up on colonial hotels in Darjeeling is not complete without the mention of Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling which is regarded as the top ten (colonial) hotels in India. The hotel stands near the historic Observatory Hill and overlooks the Chowrasta. The hotel has been also covered by the international media many times.