Taj Nadesar Palace, Varanasi

Ten rooms in the former residence of a Maharaja, sitting in near-total seclusion inside one of the noisiest cities on earth. The Nadesar Palace is a luxury heritage hotel with claw-foot tubs, antique furnishings, art from the original collection, a small spa, a pool, and three meals served in properly opulent rooms. The contrast between the chaos outside and the hush within is the whole point. It holds a Michelin Key.