India

The boutique style and country house hotels of India.  This is a recent development in the hotel industry in India where you can relax and unwind after a hectic bout of sightseeing,  These hotels offer a pleasant contrast to the five star (sometimes rather impersonal) hotels which until recently have been the only option available in many of the sites of India.  The list is extensive and they range in price but here are just a few to whet your appetite:

The Malabar House Residency Kochi Kerala (First Class)

A small boutique hotel furnished with an eclectic mix of antique colonial furniture.  The food is excellent and the hotel has a small pool.

The Bagh Hotel (Standard) in Agra. A country house hotel close to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.  A perfect place to avoid the crowds swarming around the Taj Mahal and its environs.

The Neemrana Fort Hotel (Standard) in Neemrana en route to Rajasthan.  This is a carefully restored 15^th century fort located conveniently between Delhi and Jaipur, It is cut into the hillside and has stunning views over the surrounding countryside.  Each room is unique in style and a few have bathrooms open to the night sky