Best hotels in Madhya Pradesh

If your Indian adventures are inspired by the Jungle Book, Samode Safari Lodge certainly won't disappoint. Set in the gloriously-wild Bandhavgarh National Park, it's a great jumping off point for spotting all manner of wild and wonderful creatures, including that famous striped beast, the Bengal tiger. Back at the lodge, you'll find plenty to help you unwind in serious safari style after a long day in the jungle, including a cool-as-a-cucumer spa, outdoor pool and 12 light, bright and breezy villas.

The seat of power and the private residence for the much-celebrated female leader Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, who ruled from 1765-96, Ahilya Fort to this day remains in the hands of the Holkar dynasty. Run and owned by her direct descendent Prince Richard Holkar, the ancient property has been converted to an all-singing, all-dancing boutique retreat, giving all visitors a taste of the royal life (for a while at least, anyway). Set amid three acres of sprawling gardens and perched atop a hill with views over the Narmada River, you'll feel whisked away to another world...

A boutique safari lodge with a plethora of luxury touches, an emphasis on sustainable tourism, where activities include wildlife-watching, yoga and Ayurvedic treatments? It might sound too good to be true, but such a place really does exist. It's called the Flame of the Forest Safari Lodge, a small but perfectly formed property with just four luxury cottages, allowing for totally personalised service and freedom to do exactly what you want, when you want. And considering it's setting in the lovely Kanha National Park, that will undoubtedly include the chance to search for India's most famous cat - the tiger.

Safari at its finest, Reni Pani combines incredible wildlife viewing with a good dollop of jungle luxury. Here, you'll have an opportunity to search for famed Bengal tigers on daily safari drives, before retiring back to the beautiful camp where you'll want for absolutely nothing. We're talking exquisitely designed tents and cottages, private butlers, a large pool to cool off in and delectable meals to devour. With just 12 cottages and four luxury tents, it's an intimate, characterful property and the owners are often to be found on site, making sure everything is just-so.

A mere 20 minutes from the tiger haven of Bandhavgarh National Park, Mahua Kothi is a boutique, 12-suite lodge surrounded by 40 acres of lush forest. Whilst most visitors are here with one main, tiger-shaped objective in mind, the lodge ensures it's not entirely overshadowed with its beautiful swimming pool, interactive kitchen, delicious dishes and spectacular dining locations. The team at Mahua Kothi are experts in providing exceptional guest experiences and a stay here is always guaranteed to be special - we won't give too much away, but there's usually a little something extra hiding around the corner...

Homely and comfortable, Shergarh is the perfect place for those who want to experience all Kanha has to offer and be truly immersed in the nature and wildlife - and what wildlife to be immersed in! We're talking tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar and antelope, some of which have even been known to wander into camp... There are just six tents at Shergarh, meaning all guests can expect excellent hospitality and direct access to onsite naturalists who have spent years honing their skills in the jungle, and welcome all and every question. If you're after a friendly, cosy place to stay with access to amazing wildlife and a wealth of knowledgeable guides, this is the place for you.

Located within walking distance of Bandhavgarh National Park's main gate, the jungle lodge has been developed on the theme of an Indian village, with thirteen thatched twin-bedded cottages around an inner courtyard. There are two separate villas with further accommodations of eight rooms. A spacious thatched dining room which serves home cooked Indian food and Continental cuisines, becomes the centre point of activities like campfire performances, lectures and star gazing. The lodge has set strong principles of being environmentally friendly and every aspect of its development and operation is sensitively synthesized towards nature conservation. Since it is located close to Bandhavgarh National Park and to the entrance gate, (near Tala village) guests can listen to the sounds of the Jungle right in their backyards! In the morning you wake up to a symphony of bird songs, while at night you can often hear the alarm calls of deer, which alerts you to a tiger on the prowl! A lot of fruit trees and bushes have been deliberately planted to attract a variety of butterflies, birds and insects. Due to such close proximity to the Bandhavgarh National Park, Spotted deer and the Langur Monkey can often be seen in and around the Lodge.

Tucked amidst the lush and rustic locale of Dhapada village, Bori Safari Lodge is a charming resort in Madhya Pradesh that offers the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Soak in the raw beauty of nature as you stay in this village lodge located near the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, nestled amidst a 7.5-acre farmland estate. They offer you a complete experience of village life while keeping in mind the comfort of a contemporary traveller. There are 8 well-appointed ensuite rooms, beautiful dining spaces, a spa, a plunge pool and a library at the lodge. The Bori Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most exciting emerging tiger landscapes in Madhya Pradesh and is home to tigers, sloth bears, leopards, wild dogs, giant squirrels and a variety of other Central Indian species of birds and animals. This destination is less explored, far from the usual tourist hotspots and is a haven for nature lovers. The Satpura Resort is located in a prime destination where the vegetation is plain and our guests can spot Tigers roaming about in their natural habitat. Enjoy wildlife tours, 4x4 game drives, eco-tourism activities, and wildlife safaris at this Satpura National Park Resort. They have best-in-class naturalist guides who will enrich your experience and bring the forest alive when on safari.