Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior

Built as a guest house for a visiting future King of England, this palace hotel in Gwalior later became the ruling family's private residence, and that lineage hangs pleasantly in the air. Nine acres of gardens, rooms that trade on the bones of a historic building, and self-contained pool villas for those who need no excuse to leave. The staff anticipate what you want before you've decided, which is either impressive or slightly uncanny. The Michelin Guide awarded it one Key.