Ahmedabad, West India, India

Mangaldas-Girdhardas – ‘MG’ to his friends and admirers – was a Gujarati textile tycoon and philanthropist whose lavish 1924 mansion in the heart of the capital has been turned by his descendants into a fabulous heritage hotel. Behind its elaborate neo-Baroque façade, hallways paved with polished mosaic and imported marbles lead to ten boutique rooms crammed with original furnishings and family memorabilia.

There’s even a small indoor pool (in a style that can only be described as ‘Rajasthani-Art-Deco’!); and on the rooftop, the Agashiye terrace restaurant serves sumptuous Gujarati thalis bursting with local flavours – many visitors regard this as their best ever meal in India.

Alternatively, jump on the free shuttle bus to the Mangaldas-ni-Haveli, a richly carved, 200-year-old mansion in the heart of the old city which has been converted into an equally wonderful café and crafts centre.