Alila Fort Bishangarh, Jaipur

An attraction in its own right, this 18th-century stronghold is one of the last remaining examples of Jaipur-Gharana architecture. It’s a warrior’s fort impeccably converted into a luxury hotel, located 3 and half hours from Delhi. So, among the battlements and turrets, you can expect to find everything from opulent spa treatments to fine-dining restaurants all set to commanding views over the Rajasthani countryside.

Named one of Time Magazine's '100 great places in the world', the Alila Fort Bishangarh comes appropriately dressed in all the grandeur befitting its Shahpura royalty. Expect marble flooring, metre-thick stone walls and ornate carvings throughout. The rooms are especially impressive. Here, the region’s famous artistry is invited in with handcrafted furnishings and gorgeous jharokha -style windows, while LED TVs and fast WiFi round off the mod cons. The suites are particularly impressive, not least for their made-for-two bathtubs.

But, before retiring to your room, be sure to pay a visit to one of the two excellent restaurants. Contrasting local specialities with international flavours, Amarsar serves up dishes informed by the country-spanning spice route, while Nazaara presents regional delicacies on its terrace lounge. Think sandpit cooking, spit roasts and barbecues. It’s all washed down by fine wines and spirits in Madhuveni, which comes with its own cigar and whisky lounge.

However, wherever you are, you’ll be treated to spectacular panoramas. Built atop a granite hill to repel invaders, the fort gazes out over sweeping plains and lonely villages below. Indeed, while the Alila Fort makes a perfect rest stop on the way back to Delhi, it also serves as an ideal gateway to explore Rajasthan. Whichever you choose, however, you’ll return each day to superb spa treatments.