Aurangabad, West India, India

This is the top hotel in Aurangabad, springboard for the famous caves at Ellora and Ajanta. It’s located on the northern limits of the town, and conveniently situated for quick getaways in the morning. In a large modern building whose arched windows and spectacular central onion dome lend to it the feel of a contemporary Indian palace, the rooms are beautifully furnished with touches of local colour and framed prints of Ajanta murals on the walls. And there’s a huge garden pool.