Ahilya Fort

This isn't just a fort by name - it's a real fort by nature! On a wander around the exquisite grounds, expect to discover plenty of courtyards, fountains and gardens scattered about, as well as several nooks and crannies to read a book and enjoy a cup of tea. You'll also find a freshwater pool (set in a walled garden - dreamy), well-stocked library, an in-house masseuse and even a tailoring service. Meals here are fragrant and fabulous and the menu is selected each day by the Prince himself. How's that for service?

There are 13 rooms and suites dotted across six 18th-century buildings and each is beautifully decorated with hand-picked antiques and intricate fabrics. All have ensuite bathrooms with rain showers, but only some have air-conditioning. There are also two air-cooled tents in the gardens; choose the Royal Arjun, high up in the ramparts and complete with plunge pool, four-poster bed and freestanding bathtub for the ultimate Sheherazade vibes.

Ahilya Fort is committed to helping guests understand the culture and history of both the property and the surrounding city and will very happily arrange visits to traditional weavers, pilgrimages to local temples and forts, and village walks. Closer to home, enjoy sunrise yoga sessions on the turrets, take the hotel boat to explore the peaceful Narmada cascades, and then end the day with dinner on a private island surrounded by hundreds of candles.