Shimla, Indian Himalayas, India

If you’ve come to Shimla hoping for a taste of the Raj era, you’ll love Chapslee. An oasis of vintage British charm amid the swirl of modern development, the hotel has been running since the early 1970s and has steadfastly refused to update its look. Expect an Edwardian time-warp of chintz, polished mahogany, Persian rugs and ticking clocks, where you dress for proper sit-down dinners served by liveried staff under gleaming chandeliers and the watchful gaze of ancestral photographs.

Over high tea on the lawn, your hostess, Mrs Singh, will happily unpack the stories behind all the portraits and ornaments, recalling with great wit and elegance the town’s glory years. This is a heritage hotel in its truest sense – a destination in itself and reason enough to make the winding journey to Shimla.