Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

Stupendous rooftop views of the lake and old city are the big attraction of this 60-room hotel in the Ambrai neighbourhood of Udaipur. The six-storey building is modern but replicates the look of 18^th-century Rajasthan, with cusp arches, fancy stucco pillars and whitewashed onion domes festooning every surface. The other great selling point here is the fabulous rooftop pool and cocktail bar, where you can enjoy the million-dollar view over a cold G&T. Breakfast is served under pretty bougainvillea bushes in the lawned garden at ground level. Udai Kothi is also handy for the shops: literally hundreds of souvenir emporia are to be found in the surrounding streets.