i n d i a & s r i l a n k a -...

I N D I A & S R I L A N K Ahidden gems & hand picked places to stay

clare inskipwww.clareinskip.com

hidden gems & hand picked places to stay

www.clareinskip.com

After many years of travelling to India and Sri Lanka and gaining much local knowledge, I have put together this small portfolio. These are my Hidden Gems and Hand Picked Places to stay.

Working closely with Indus Experiences, a specialist UK based Travel Agent, I will personally plan your holiday and then they will make the bookings and take care of your flights and local arrangements.

I very much hope you may want to go to these places in the near future, I look forward to hearing from you.

020 8901 7320 five

I ND I A

S R I L A N K A

N E P A L

B H U T A N

Tongtian HeI nd

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G o d a v a

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B r a h m a p u t r a

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Gt. Nicobar

B A Y O F

B E N G A L

I N D I A N

O C E A N

A n d a m a n

S e a

Gu

lf of Kachch

G u l f of Kham

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G u l f o f Ma n

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Q I N G Z A N G

Mt Everest

D E C C A N

C. Comorin

Dondra Head

KIR

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H I N D U K U S H

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JMA

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K U N L A N S HA

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TA N G G U L A S H AN

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Mouths of the Ganges

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Mouths of the Irrawaddy

New DelhiGajnerJaisalmer

Sasan Gir

Mumbai

Goa

Kozhikode

Cochin Kumarakom

Jodhpur

Deogarh Ranthambore

Agra

Ahmadabad

Udaipur Varanasi

Khajuraho

Kanha

Bandhavgarh

Bijapur

Halebid

Aurangabad

Hyderabad

Kolkata

Chennai Bangalore

MysoreKabini

Madurai

INDIA

Nimaj

NeemranaSamode

Mandawa

Gajner

Neeleshwar

hidden gems & hand picked places to stay hidden gems & hand picked places to stay

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The most special & best hotel in Delhi, the majestic Imperial seamlessly blends the classic style of the Raj with modern refined luxury. The rooms are wonderfully comfortable with gorgeous marble bathrooms and this is the perfect hotel to choose if you want the best of everything. You can choose from three top class restaurants in the hotel with choices of Italian, Asian and Indian food. There is a lovely swimming pool & Spa.

THE IMPERIAL DELHI

TOP TIPS: • Excellently located & ideal to visit Old & New Delhi• Wonderful Spa, book well ahead•

TIKLI BOTTOM NEAR DELHI

This privately own Lutyen’s style house is only 40 minutes from the airport. Tikli Bottom is a perfect soft landing in India on arrival or departure if you want comfortable beds, home cooked food and the hospitality of the English Owners- Martin & Annie Howard. Their philosophy is to create a warm, family like atmosphere where everyone eats together in their dining room. You can take relaxing walks in the farm or just laze around & do nothing.

TOP TIPS : • Great if you want to avoid Delhi on arrival & departure• Book a treatment, great Nepalese masseuse• Don’t book if you prefer not to join other guests• There are only 4 bedrooms, so book well ahead

A proper establishment, very good service

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NEEMRANA FORT PALACE NEEMRANA

Neemrana Fort Palace is a 15th century Fort, located just off the Delhi- Jaipur road and is only 2 hours from Delhi. It has a stunning location on the edge of Aravalli Hills with fantastic views. It has many terraces & a wonderful swimming pool, which in the evening with all the illuminations is a site to behold. Each room is traditionally furnished & individual in character. The food is carefully prepared & delicious, either served in the attractive inner courtyard or in the wonderful dining room.

Samode Haveli is a true hidden gem. It has astounding original décor & the rooms are all individual, bedecked and bejewelled with mosaics & frescoes and quite really lovely. There is a superb swimming pool- a great retreat from the heat of Jaipur. There is Indian, Oriental & Continental food, either served in the eclectic dining room or in the open courtyard.

SAMODE HAVELI JAIPUR

TOP TIPS : • Ideally located to visit old part of Jaipur• Enjoy the best example of traditional Rajasthani Haveli• Good swimming pool• Extremely popular hotel in Jaipur. Book well in advance

and ask to reserve a Deluxe Suite

TOP TIPS : • Perfect stay enroute to Jaipur• Very authentic Mughal architecture• Involves bit of walking, with different levels to get around

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On arriving at Samode, one is immediately struck by the beautifully kept traditional village managed by the Palace. You arrive at this majestic, grand palace and know you are in for a treat. This was the setting for the film Far Pavilions, and it is a perfect example of Rajput- Mughal architecture and decorated with fabulous mosaics, mirror work and frescoed walls. The rooms & Suites are richly decorated in traditional style. There is a superb swimming pool made of marble and mosaics, a rooftop infinity pool with views over the Aravalli mountain range and a spa offering a full range of massage therapies.

SAMODE PALACE SAMODE

TOP TIPS : • One of the best Palaces to stay in Rajasthan. Upgrade your room• Walk around the village and enjoy the local artisans

& experience village life. Book a sunset camel safari• Go to the tented camp nearby at Samode Bagh for tea

or a sunset cocktail

Sherbagh is a very special tented camp. The 12 divine hand-stitched tents remind you of the Somerset Maugham era. Comfortable and stylish you will love staying here. From the moment you arrive you are personally looked after and your every need is met. There are early morning & late afternoon game drives in private jeeps to visit nearby Ranthambore National Park. There is a wonderful organic vegetable garden and the food is home cooked.

SHERBAGH, RANTHAMBORE

TOP TIPS : • My favourite tented camp in Rajasthan• A perfect choice to spot Tigers & other wildlife• Ask to join the kitchen staff for an afternoon cooking classes• Recommend minimum 3 nights as you never want to leave

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Like many historic homes, Castle Mandawa is a curious mixture of the old and the new. Medieval turreted towers, palanquin-roofed balconies, blend with modern comforts in old-world rooms. Family portraits, antique cannons and arms add to the charm of this family-run hotel where tradition still runs strong. Even time is measured by a different clock... a huge brass gong struck by the resident timekeepers at the fort every hour!

CASTLE MANDAWA MANDAWA

TOP TIPS: • Upgrade to enjoy their best rooms.• Very interesting and characterful place• Enjoy the local town

GAJNER PALACE GAJNER

It is a former royal hunting lodge, now owned by The Maharaja of Udaipur. The palace was primarily a hunting resort during the days of the British Raj and attracted many British VIP’s including Lord Mountbatten when he was Viceroy of India. The setting on Gajner Lake of this redstone Grand Heritage Palace is breathtakingly beautiful. Dine in the grand old Orangery. Enjoy the calm & peace of the place.

TOP TIPS : • Good one night stop on the way to Jaisalmer• Be prepared to share with large groups

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THE SERAI JAISALMER

Owned by the same people of Sherbagh, Ranthambore. This is an amazing luxurious desert Camp & Spa, close to the desert city of Jaisalmer. There are 21 well decorated tents- some with sunken heated plunge pools. Dining tent with a daily changing menu with a mixture of local & international food. There is an incredible spa making this a very desirable choice.

TOP TIPS : • The most luxurious place to stay whilst exploring the Jaisalmer Fort

- a UNESCO World Heritage Site• Private dining under the stars by the pool or anywhere on the site

• Best tented camp

The Raas has become the most popular boutique hotel in Jodhpur. Stunningly nestled beneath the Mehrangarh Fort. The 39 rooms and suites are chic & elegantly understated- the majority with superb fort views. It has an inviting swimming pool & Spa. It is incredibly well designed and highly recommended as the best place to stay in Jodhpur

THE RAAS JODHPUR

• Book a camel safari or a desert drive and enjoy sundowners onthe dunes

TOP TIPS : • Good choice for those preferring small boutique hotel experience

compared to the large Palace/ Hotels in Jodhpur• Located close to the intriguing old part of Jodhpur

• Request a room upper level to avoid city noise

• Excellent food & service

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This amazing tented camp built on an ancient dam overlooking a beautiful lake is very special. The 19th century Dam was built by a powerful nobleman, Thakur Chhatra Singh of Nimaj, whose vision was to create a reservoir to harvest the monsoon rain. Themodern day tented camp with very comfortable tents, enormous bathrooms and each with its own private sitting area to enjoy the birdlife and the view of the lake & the tranquillity is wonderful.You will be looked after by the owner and he will arrange village visits and jeep rides around the estate.

CHHATRA SAGAR NIMAJ

TOP TIPS : • Ask for a village & farm visit• Go for an evening drive with a cool box of drinks• Stay for minimum 2 nights

Deogarh is a large rambling Palace in the hills in the middle of Deogarh village. Designed to baffle the enemy its millions of entrances & stairs makes this a fascinating place to stay. All the rooms are different, all approached from every direction. The Maharaja and his family join you on the terrace for drinks and tell guests many interesting stories of the history of Deogarh.

DEOGARH MAHAL, DEOGARH

TOP TIPS : • It’s very popular for weddings & groups, so sometimes very busy• Lot of walking involved to connect you with different parts of

the Palace• Privately owned & run by Maharaja of Deogarh• Worth waking up at dawn to watch the sunrise

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This is the best located place to stay in Udaipur if you want to enjoy the City Palace, the Lake Palace hotel without spending a fortune. Situated on the edge of Lake Pichola, this simple but charming haveli has the best food in Udaipur and the most wonderful terrace. The rooms are charming, some with the views of the lake.

AMET HAVELI UDAIPUR

THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE, MUMBAI

This hotel is the main grand, classical top hotel in Mumbai, amazingly situated with a beautiful view of Gateway of India. A member of the “Leading Hotels of the World”, it is an impeccable hotel offering the finest of everything.

TOP TIPS : • The best location in Mumbai• Ask for a sea facing room in the Heritage Wing• Enjoy swimming pool & Spa in the lovely grounds

TOP TIPS : • Pre-reserve your place for dinner at Ambrai restaurant• Upgrade your room to a Deluxe Suite for lake view• Small and homely, a good alternative to the larger hotels

in Udaipur • Stay for minimum 2 nights• Take a city tour to include the Railway Station & Gandhi’s Museum• Ask the Concierge to recommend the best local restaurants

• Best view of the City Palace

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NEELESHWAR HERMITAGE NEELESHWAR

This is my personal choice of the best beach resort in South India. However the accessibility is challenging. Located in the unspoilt & less visited area of Northern Kerala, you could approach either by train from Cochin or by flying to Mangalore. Individual & very comfortable cottages reached by winding paths under the palm trees make this a total luxurious secret escape. Located on the edge of the Arabian sea with perfect white sand and safe bathing you will unwind and be spoilt. The food is well known for its excellence and the staff are very professional & charming. Once here, you won’t want to moveTOP TIPS : • All cottages are lovely with an easy access to sea & pool• Take all meals at their beach restaurant• Combine staying here with their beautiful houseboat- The Lotus

Ideally situated near the Nagarhole National Park and perfect for game viewing. A mix between a rustic African wildlife tented camp and the old hunting lodges of the Raj, The Bison Resort offers a beautiful balance of luxury amidst wilderness. Situated in a rural area, it is a place of great tranquility. The tents are comfortable and lovely, but not luxurious and are connected by a rickity walk way.

THE BISON RESORT KABINI

TOP TIPS : • Good home cooking & relaxed atmosphere• You are personally looked after by the owner• Wonderful views from your tents.

• Request a lecture by co-owner author & writer Alistair Shearer• Great Spa and aA very good resident tailor

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Set in 400 acres of coffee and cardamom plantations, this home stay is genuine & welcoming. Good home cooked food & family run; this is a lovely homely place to unwind after a long journey across the Western Ghats. There are lovely gardens and you are surrounded by the beauty of the estate. It is beautiful journey across the Western Ghats

TRANQUIL RESORT SULTAN’S BATTERY

TOP TIPS : • Perfect one night stop en-route from Bison Camp to the coast

at Neeleshwar across the Western Ghats• For the more adventurous, Book the Tree House for a unique

experience

You are collected by punt & taken across the beautiful backwater to arrive at this gem of a private farm. Individual cottages and wonderful gardens are surrounded by the beautiful grounds. You are met by the charming family who will look after you and produce amazing home cooked food. A very relaxing place to stay, a haven of peace. A good choice to relax before or after Cochin.

Philipkutty’s Farm Kumarakom

TOP TIPS : • Meals are taken together with other guests• Take a boat for the day on the backwaters• Great farm walks, very rural• Enjoy the sunset cruise on a country boat

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A beautifully restored old boutique hotel, with wonderful courtyards & gardens. The rooms are stylish & roomy and you will immediately feel at home. The food is excellent based on lovely fresh produce with a special seafood menu, served alfresco in the pretty garden. It has a very attractive swimming pool in the large garden and a good Ayurvedic spa.

OLD HARBOUR COCHIN

TOP TIPS : • Very good restaurant• Excellent location inside the Fort Cochin area• Very small walk away from the Chinese fishing nets

An 18th- Century Dutch colonial residence converted into a small boutique hotel. The rooms are done beautifully with four poster beds and charming plantation chairs on the terraces. Dine in the inner courtyard by the edge of the attractive swimming pool and enjoy the style & comfort.

MALABAR HOUSE COCHIN

TOP TIPS : • Member of Relais & Chateaux• Very good Ayurveda Spa.• Well located in Fort Cochin

SRI LANKA

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The Wallawwa is a converted manor house just 20 minutes drive from the airport. This boutique hotel has large airy rooms on one levelwith very comfortable four-poster beds, amazing bathrooms equipped with rain shower and slate twin sinks, and with their own private courtyards. Relax after your flight in this haven, the gardens are lovely. Swim in the pool or take a treatment in the spa; the perfect way to unwind after a long journey.


THE WALLAWWA KOTUGODA

TOP TIPS: • The perfect one-night stop near Colombo Airport.• Book your massage ahead in the spa, its amazing.• Book a table outside and dine alfresco.


JETWING VIL UYANA SIGIRYA

Jetwing’s luxury hideaway offers peace and seclusion within the stunning environment of a wetland reserve. A nature-inspired, eco-friendly resort in the midst of a man-made nature reserve, Jetwing Vil Uyana is uniquely peaceful retreat in the heart of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. Spacious thatched cabanas stand on stilts over water, paddy fields and reed beds or are in a jungle setting.An alfresco restaurant combines irresistible views with very good cuisine and fine wines and a beautiful infinity pool.

TOP TIPS : • Perfect base to explore the Sigiriya Rock and cultural triangle• Minimum three nights stay. Good choice for nature lovers• Lot of walking between rooms and pool / restaurant.

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The rual location of Cinnamon Lodge offers luxury amidst the wilderness on the edge of a very beautiful large lake, with fantastic birdlife, and monekys swining from the trees. The rooms are laid out in cottage style amongst the large and spacious grounds. They are beautifully decorated and very comfortable and individual. The hotel has three restaurants, including Sri Lanka's only organic fine dining restaurant, which serves Sri Lankan dishes prepared using produce from the hotel's own farm.


CINNAMON LODGE HABARANA

TOP TIPS: • Private in-room spa treatments are available• Fantastic large swimming pool with good loungers• Book a table in the small Lotus Restaurant to avoid large parties

in the restaurant


THE KANDY HOUSE KANDY

A traditional private mansion with a gracious air and an attentiveness to providing bespoke service distinguish this charming boutique property. Built around an exquisite courtyard amidst tropical gardens, the house has stunning individually decorated rooms with gorgeous four-poster beds, Victorian baths and separate walk in showers. There is a stunning infinity swimming pool in the tropical gardens. Enjoy fine dining on the lovely terrace.

TOP TIPS : • Book early to avoid disappointment.• Ideal base for sightseeing in Kandy within half an hour.• Peaceful and very spoiling with your own private Butler.• A lot of walking between the room s and the mian hotel

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THE GOVERNOR’S MANSIONDICKOYA - HATTON

Set high up in the beautiful tea plantations, this grand old tea planter’s mansion is a fantastic choice if you want to experience life in the days of the British Raj. As you arrive up the very long winding drive you are welcomed by the team of the helpful house staff, and you enter the panelled light rooms spreading out onto the immaculate gardens and terraces and the view to Adams Peak. Tea and scornes are served on the lawn and dinner in the grand panelled dining room. Bedrooms are large and old fashioned all with great views of the estate.

TOP TIPS : • Arrange for a special visit to the nearby tea factory• Book the Queens or Governor’s Suite.• Good choice for a private party


Regarded as the most scenic part of Sri Lanka, The Tea Country is the setting for an idyllic luxury stay high in the hills, in one of the four colonial bungalows built in the days of the British Raj. The elegant rooms, which open directly onto the pretty gardens, feature wide verandas, bathrooms with Victorian baths, four-poster beds, open fires and crisp white linen. With a butler on hand and delicious food, there’s a real sense of staying in an elegant private home. You can nearby tea factories, sunning waterfalls and mountain walks.

THE CEYLON TEA TRAILS HATTON

TOP TIPS : • Book early and choose Castlereagh Bungalow.• Member of Relais & Chateaux• Perfect for tea factory visits, quiet walks and reflection.


• Great tennis court but no swimming pool • Take the train from Colombo or Kandy to nearby Hatton

Swashbucklers, traders and colonialists alike have left their mark on the rich character of Galle Fort, at the heart of which lies the Amangalla. This luxury hotel originally called the Oriental is in the heart of Galle Fort, and is a historic seventeenth century building. Suites and rooms are lovely and old fashioned with polished teak floors, grand four-poster beds and Victorian bathtubs. Watch the world go by from the upstairs terrace with one of their famous cocktails before dining in the Classically styled restaurant with its antiques, silver and chandeliers. There is a spoiling spa, perfect after the day’s explorations.

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AMANGALLA GALLE FORT

TOP TIPS : • Great sanctuary, yet a step out into the bustling Galle Fort.• Wonderful spa with lovely gardens and pool.• Very traditional and comfortable


Totally indulgent hideaway hotel with sweeping views over a tea estate and lake, just 15 minutes from the beach. Perched on a ridge overlooking Koggala Lake and surrounded by 12 acres of a working tea estate, Kahanda Kanda is a small, luxurious and totally indulgent retreat. The amazing views are on display at every turn - behind the infinity pool, mirrored in the lily-strewn ponds around the designer open-sided living and dining pavilions, or from your very private suite. The exotic interiors combine Asian antiques and contemporary Sri Lankan furnishings which, together with the impeccably friendly service, make Kahanda Kanda a thoroughly sophisticated and romantic place that you'll find hard to leave.

KAHANDA KANDA KOGGALA LAKE

TOP TIPS : • Ultimate, stylish and exclusive• 30 minutes from Galle• Stunning tropical setting with views over Koggala Lake


A private villa with luscious tropical gardens, two acres of privacy and a wonderful swimming pool and just 5 minutes from the sea makes Why House a great choice. As you enter the privacy of Why House, you are in heaven. Henrietta runs Why House like a dream, smiling staff look after your every need. Home cooked delicious food and a house party atmosphere makes this home from home. The location is rural yet within easy reach of the sea, and only 20 minutes from Galle on the coast road. Wake up to parakeets in the trees and breakfast cooked in the outdoor pavilion

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THE WHY HOUSE NEAR GALLE

TOP TIPS : • Ask them for a Japanese sushi dinner.• All rooms gorgeous, especially room 1 & 2.• Choose a cabana if you want to be woken up by jungle bird noises.• My favourite swimming pool in Sri Lanka.


Set high overlooking the historic town of Galle, just 5 minutes from Galle Fort, this very attractive and stylish colonial house was built by a Scottish nutmeg merchant in the 1860's and was converted into a special and elegant small boutique hotel, considered one of the best-kept secrets on the island.

The rooms are mostly decorated in white with coconut matting and an eclectic collection of art & antiques, making this a great choice to stay away from the bustle of Galle. The exotic gardens are lovely with lots of cosy relaxing places to sit and there is a small swimming pool.

THE SUN HOUSEGALLE

TOP TIPS : • Book the Cinnamon Suite and take a bath outside on a balcony• Hire a tuk tuk and go to Galle Fort• Go to the Dutch House for a drink


clare inskip

hidden gems & hand picked places to stay in INDIA & SRI LANKA

" Y o u m a y f o r g e t w h a t t h e y s a i d , o r w h a t t h e y d i d ,b u t y o u w i l l a l w a y s r e m e m b e r h o w t h e y m a d e y o u f e e l "

www.clareinskip.com

[email protected]

or call Indus Experiences on 0208 901 7320

Please contact me if you are interested in going to India or Sri Lanka and I will be delighted to plan your holiday

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