35 unique hotels in India and beyond that we’ve discovered while travelling

We’ve been travelling for more than 15 years now, and here’s a list of some unique hotels in India that we’ve discovered so far. And some outside India, too.

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We’ve been travelling since 2007, and we’ve stayed at our fair share of horrible, weird or just plain boring places. But we’ve also had some really nice stays, and even found some lovely spots that we wish we’d stayed in. And since we’ve often been asked about this, here’s a list of some interesting, off-beat and unique hotels in India and other parts of the world that we’ve discovered on our travels.

(It’s been a while since we were at some of these places, so things might’ve changed since then.)

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SOUTH INDIA

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Barefoot at Havelock, Havelock Island

A year or two after we started travelling, we booked ourselves a quick getaway to the Andaman and Nicobar islands. We spent a few days on Havelock Island (now Swaraj Dweep), and though we didn’t stay at Barefoot, we wish we had.

Pros

• One of the few resorts near the beautiful Radhanagar beach, believed to be one of the best beaches in Asia
• Traditional feel, with lots of wood and palm-leaf thatch
• Very atmospheric open-sided bar, with a game room on the mezzanine floor
• Tasty food, with very large portions
• Interesting restaurant with both table and floor seating

Cons

• Quite pricey
• Somewhat far removed from the rest of the action on the island

More about our trip: How we lived the island life for a few days in the Andamans

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Goa

Cancio’s House, Aldona

Our road trip to Goa was one of the best holidays we’ve had so far. And not least because of the experiences we had while staying at the quaint Cancio’s House in Aldona. This is definitely one of the more unique places to stay in Goa.

Pros

• Sprawling centuries-old heritage homestay run by the descendants of the original owners
• Lovely old-world feel, with lots of antique furniture and fixtures
• Very friendly, welcoming and accommodating hosts
• Very tasty, home-cooked meals served around a large dining table in the kitchen

Cons

• The hosts are very chatty, which might get a bit much for some guests
• Located in the interiors, very far from the beach

More about our trip: An off-the-beaten-path Goan holiday

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IQ’s road trip videos

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Karnataka

Hotel Gowri, Hampi

On a new year’s trip to Hampi, we decided to stay across the river for a change, and booked ourselves into Hotel Gowri. The facilities were quite basic, but the location made up for everything else.

Pros

• Very peaceful
• Lovely views of the surrounding rice fields and granite hills
• Very close to the beautiful Sanapur lake

Cons

• Across the river from the main Hampi heritage area
• Maintenance and cleanliness could be better

More about our trip: Magical sights of Hampi that you may not know exist

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Hampi Heritage and Wilderness Resort, Hampi

We stayed here the last time we drove to Hampi. This sprawling resort is located in Kamalapura on the southern side of the river, about 20 minutes’ drive south of Hampi, and has a real ‘wilderness’ feel to it.

Pros

• Room cost includes all meals (plus evening tea and snacks), a bear safari and a day of sightseeing.
• Cottages are all very private.
• Has an authentic wilderness feel.
• Food is homely and tasty.
• Staff is very friendly and helpful.

Cons

• Room costs might seem a little high at first glance.
• Because it’s so spread out, it’s quite a walk from any given cottage to the dining hall or reception.
• Junior staff don’t speak English or Hindi very well, and are more comfortable with Kannada or Telugu.
• Facilities are a little rough around the edges, and slightly more basic than one might expect.
• Meal menus are fixed, and they don’t serve alcohol, though you can bring your own.

More about our trip: Tips for planning a road trip from Hyderabad to Hampi

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Hampi’s Boulders Resort, Hampi

We stayed here during our road trip from Hyderabad to to Gokarna, when we stopped in Hampi on the way back. This sprawling eco-resort is on the riverbank on the northern side, near Basapur, and has great views of the river and the granite hills that Hampi is famous for. It’s about an hour’s drive from the main temple complex.

Pros

• Spectacular views of the river and the surrounding granite hills.
• Most cottages have great views of the sunrise.
• Lots of opportunities to explore the natural surroundings and nearby rice fields.
• A unique swimming pool in the hollow of a rock.
• Well-appointed cottages.
• A small recreation center and gym.

Cons

• Somewhat pricey.
• Quite far away from the main ruins of Hampi.
• Spread over a large area, so getting to the cottages and back takes some walking.
• No intercom and spotty mobile data connectivity, though WiFi is available at the dining hall.
• Room rates only include breakfast; other meals can be had (or ordered from) the restaurant.
• They don’t serve alcohol, but you can bring your own.

More about our trip: Tips for a road trip from Hyderabad to Gokarna via Chorla and Hampi

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Red Earth, Gokarna

We stayed here during our road trip from Hyderabad to Gokarna. If you’re looking for a quiet place for where you can just take it easy on the beach without anything else to do, then this is for you.

Pros

• Right next to a beach that’s so quiet that it’s almost like a private beach.
• Overall a cosy and quiet place, removed from the hustle and bustle.
• Located in a very rural setting, surrounded by nature.
• Beautiful sunset views.
• The hills behind the resort have some nice hiking trails.

Cons

• Relatively basic setup and amenities.
• About an hour’s drive from Gokarna proper.
• The food is average, at best.

More about our trip: Tips for a Hyderabad to Gokarna road trip

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Depot Estate, Coorg

We stayed in this lovely plantation during our trip to Coorg, and it actually felt like staying in someone’s home. The most ‘homely’ homestay experience we’ve had so far, and definitely one of our favourite unique places to stay in India.

Pros

• Located in a plantation in a little valley, so feels completely removed from everything else despite being on the edge of town
• Feels like staying in an actual home, as a guest of the family
• Friendly and helpful housekeeper
• Tasty traditional food served in a common dining room
• Lovely views of the plantation from a large common balcony
• Comes with a resident roly-poly doggie
• You can take long walks in the plantation and feel like you’re in the Jungle Book

Cons

• The housekeeper’s English isn’t the best
• There aren’t many places to eat close by

More about our trip: Nine things you should know if you want to have a good time in Coorg

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Blackbuck Resort, Bidar

While planning our motorcycle trip to Bidar, we could’ve either chosen to stay in some slightly seedy lodge near the main bus stand, or at the Blackbuck Resort in the forest, 20 minutes’ ride out of town. We chose the latter.

Pros

• Nice location in the middle of a patch of reserve forest
• Cottage rooms, basic but comfortable
• Nice views of the nearby lake and forest from the rooms
• Peaceful and quite private
• Activities like sightseeing and a blackbuck safari are included in the room rate
• Homely and tasty food, served in an open-sided dining hall
• Friendly and enthusiastic staff

Cons

• Slightly pricey for the facilities offered
• The approach is via a bumpy forest trail
• The location is quite far outside Bidar
• Overall maintenance could be better
• The lake might be dry, depending on the rains that year

More about our trip: A weekend motorbike trip to Bidar, city of sultans

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Lakshadweep Islands

Thinnakara Island resort, Thinnakara

When we landed on Thinnakara island on our Lakshadweep trip, we didn’t realize it would feel like being marooned on an uninhabited island (in a good way).

Pros

• The only resort on the entire tiny island
• Very private
• Tents are comfortable and under thatched roofs
• Hardly any visitors
• Mysterious leeward beach with leaning palms
• Two more tiny islands you can wade out to
• Somewhat eco-friendly, with no ACs in the tents, and purified rainwater available for drinking on request

Cons

• Attached ‘green’ toilets are cramped
• Tap water smells of sulphur
• Windward beach has lots of washed up rubbish

More about our trip: Our magical holiday in the mysterious Lakshadweep islands

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Bangaram Island resort, Bangaram

This is probably the most luxurious accommodation available in Lakshadweep, with prices to match. But we loved the ‘island paradise’ feel to it, especially the magical dinner buffet on the beach. If you’re looking for unusual honeymoon destinations in India, you might want to think about this one.

Pros

• The only resort on the entire island
• Quite private
• Has a very ‘island paradise’ feel
• Nice beaches and a large sandbar you can wade out to
• Magical beach-side dinner service
• Quite eco-friendly, with some of its electricity supplied by solar panels, no ACs in the rooms (only air coolers) and purified rainwater available for drinking on request

Cons

• Somewhat pricey
• Tap water smells of sulphur
• The parts of the island not immediately near the resort tend to have litter

More about our trip: Our magical holiday in the mysterious Lakshadweep islands

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Puducherry

Gratitude Heritage, Pondicherry

We love a good heritage hotel, so we were quite thrilled when we checked in at Gratitude Heritage. Despite its quirks, we think might just be one of the the best heritage stays you can find in Pondicherry, and one of the more special places to stay you’ll find in India.

Pros

• Beautifully restored traditional home with a very authentic feel
• Nice location on a peaceful street a few minutes’ walk from the beach
• Very quiet and peaceful
• Each room is unique, with antique furniture
• A lovely combination of tradition and comfort
• The ground floor rooms are quite cool, even without the AC
• Breakfast is served in an open-sided dining room and includes warm, flaky croissants

Cons

• Slightly pricey
• Some unusual house rules
• Ventilation on the ground floor rooms could be better
• Some bathrooms don’t have separate ventilation
• Only online bookings are accepted; no walk-ins
• Breakfast is served late, at an un-hurried pace
• Extra meals are pricey
• Bed sizes vary from room to room

More about our trip: Coming soon!

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Tamil Nadu

O’Land Plantation Stays, Coonoor

We were looking for someplace to spend a few days surrounded by nature and away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and O’Land Plantations in the Nilgiri hills was a perfect fit.

Pros

• Set in a fully functional organic plantation
• Rooms are elegant, unique, and have their own character.
• Accommodation is in the estate house and other two separate ‘houses’.
• The food is homely and tasty, and all meals are included.
• Spectacular views of the hills across the valley
• Lots of wildlife to be seen
• A stream with a beautiful waterfall runs through the plantation
• Very quiet and peaceful

Cons

• Quite isolated, with nothing much else close by

More about our trip: A getaway in the clouds: O’Land Plantation in the Nilgiri hills

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The Great Escape, Coonoor

During one of our many visits to the Western Ghats, we spent a long weekend exploring Coonoor and its surroundings. And The Great Escape made for a great base from which to do that.

Pros

• Very friendly and knowledgeable hosts
• Located on a hillside just outside Coonoor, with easy access to town but still peaceful
• Easy access to the scenic Kotagiri road
• Homely, fresh tasty food
• The cottage is very private, at some distance from the main house
• Pet friendly

Cons

• Room interiors are a bit bland
• The curtains of the cottage are somewhat transparent

More about our trip: A perfect long weekend among the hills and tea plantations of Coonoor

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Sinna Dorai’s Bungalow, Valparai

On yet another trip into the Western Ghats, we discovered the little tea plantation town of Valparai. And even though we didn’t stay at the lovely colonial-style Sinna Dorai’s Bungalow, we would definitely have liked to! In fact, if we could take our pick of unique resorts in India to stay in, we’d probably choose this one.

Pros

• Great location on a hill in the middle of a vast tea plantation
• Great views into the valley from the cottages
• Lovely colonial-style furnishings give the place an old-world feel
• Homely but tasty traditional food
• Warm and friendly staff
• Many opportunities to see wildlife within the plantation itself

Cons

• Somewhat pricey
• The presence of wild elephants and gaur (Indian bison) makes going out at night dangerous
• It’s a long drive to the entrance of the plantation

More about our trip: In the shadow of elephants in Valparai

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NORTH INDIA

Himachal Pradesh

Udechee Huts, McLeodganj

We booked ourselves into Udechee Huts for three days during our visit to Dharamshala, and were absolutely blown away by the views and the location!

Pros

• Great location, with spectacular views of the Dhauladhar mountains
• Lovely open-air dining deck with mountain views
• Very friendly and helpful owner and staff
• Basic but comfortable rooms
• Overall, quite peaceful
• The staff can get you entry into the private grounds at the top of the hill for nice sunset views away from the crowds

Cons

• Slightly pricey
• Aside from the views, the rooms are a little boring
• Naddi village has lots of raucous tourists during on season

More about our trip: Photo diary: Snow-capped mountains and Tibetan art in Dharamshala

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Naggar Castle, Kullu-Manali

This charming little wood-and-stone castle was built by a local ruler around 500-odd years ago, and is now run by the Himachal Pradesh tourism department. We paid it a visit for breakfast on a our second day in Kully Valley, and discovered that they have rooms to stay in, too! Maybe we’ll book ourselves a few days here the next time around.

Pros

• Great location overlooking the valley, with lovely views of the mountains
• Some very resonably priced room options, considering the location
• Charming old architecture, with a very authentic feel
• Away from the hustle and bustle of the main Kullu-Manali highway
• Very nice local food, with balcony dining

Cons

• Because it’s run by the government, it’s a bit rough around the edges
• As a popular tourist sight, there might be lots of day visitors between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm
• Because it’s a bit off the highway, it takes a bit of time to get anywhere from there
• The immediate surroundings are a bit touristy, but a short walk will take you away from all that
• The website doesn’t have a photo gallery for each room, so it’s difficult to tell what you’re going to get

More about our trip: Coming soon!

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Roots Cafe and Stay, Kullu-Manali

We dropped in on this lovely brand-new little hill-top cafe for breakfast on one of our days in Kullu Valley. Though we didn’t see the rooms, we saw enough to be pretty sure that this would make a great base during a visit to the area.

Pros

• Located on a hillside with great views of the valley.
• Just off the main highway, therefore well connected but still quiet.
• Great food, with many regional specialities from across India.
• Focused on sustainability, with glass water bottles on the restaurant tables and stacks of washable little hand towels in the washrooms.
• Warm, knowledgeable and helpful staff and hosts.

Cons

• Slightly pricey, but room rates include breakfast and dinner.
• Located at the end of a little lane that might be difficult to access by car.
• Very new, so no online reviews to inform your decision.
• Easily confused with the unrelated Roots restaurant in nearby Kullu; make sure you search for Roots Cafe, Bandrol.

More about our trip: Coming soon!

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Rajasthan

Haveli Inn Pal, Jodhpur

On our first visit to Rajasthan, we were looking for a nice place to stay in Jodhpur. Haveli Inn Pal was recommended by a relative, and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

Pros

• Beautiful old heritage mansion, part of a larger heritage compound
• Located in the heart of the old city, next to the Sardar Market
• Great views of Mehrangarh Fort from the rooftop restaurant
• Indique, one of Jodhpur’s more well-known restaurants, is in the same compound

Cons

• Slightly pricey
• Some rooms don’t have such nice views

More about our trip: Eight great reasons why you should visit Rajasthan

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All Seasons Homestay, Jaipur

Though more a guesthouse than a homestay, this nice little place still had a personal touch. An enjoyable part of our visit to Jaipur.

Pros

• Centrally located, but not too far from the old city either
• Right behind the small Hathroi Fort that can be explored
• More of a guesthouse than a homestay, but still retains the personal touch
• Friendly hosts, who live on the ground floor
• Tasty, homely meals prepared and served by friendly staff
• Well-appointed, modern rooms

Cons

• Doesn’t have a very traditional feel
• The road off which this place is located is one-way in an inconvenient direction
• No real views to speak of

More about our trip: Jaipur: Our motorcycle tour kicks off

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Bundi Inn, Bundi

We had a bit of trouble finding this place when we first arrived in Bundi. But the cool interiors and the views from the rooftop restaurant made up for it.

Pros

• Great location in the old city, close to the Garh Palace and across the road from the Moti Mahal palace
• Cosy old nicely-renovated heritage home
• Friendly and knowledgeable hosts
• Cool, clean and well-maintained
• Rooftop restaurant with a great view of the palace and the city”

Cons

• Some rooms don’t have much ventilation
• The food at the restaurant isn’t great
• Service is quite slow
• The house has various levels with narrow stairs, so accessibility could be a problem

More about our trip: Bundi, a town lost in time

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Haveli Katkoun, Bundi

We happened to have a traditional dinner in this lovely old renovated home during our stay in Bundi, and had a long conversation with the lady of the house, too. Next time, we’re definitely staying at Haveli Katkoun!

Pros

• Great location, right under the Garh Palace and across the road from the Nawal Sagar lake
• Traditional family mansion, with a very authentic, homely feel
• Friendly and chatty hosts
• Large, airy and well-appointed rooms
• Open-sided rooftop restaurant with spectacular views of the Garh Palace and the lake
• The traditional meal we ordered was simple but very tasty

Cons

• Can get somewhat pricey during on season
• Maintenance could be slightly better

More about our trip: Bundi, a town lost in time

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The Padmini Haveli Guesthome, Chittorgarh

We were lucky enough to stay in the only accommodation inside the fort when we visited Chittorgarh. The Padmini Haveli isn’t easy to book, and it’s even harder to find, but it was all worth it.

Pros

• Great location, right inside Chittorgarh Fort in the tiny fort village
• The only accommodation available inside the fort
• Great sunset views from the rooftop terrace
• Gives you the unique opportunity to see the fort at night
• Renovated using traditional materials for a very authentic feel
• Friendly hosts and staff
• Not too many guests, so quite private
• Very tasty traditional vegetarian food

Cons

• Slightly pricey
• Located in a very narrow lane, so cars need to park some distance away
• For religious reasons, no alcohol or non-vegetarian food (including eggs) is allowed
• Room payment must be made by bank transfer in advance

More about our trip: Chittorgarh Fort: ancient, massive and imposing

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WESTERN INDIA

Gujarat

Devpur Homestay, Devpur, Kutch

We stayed in lots of different places during our visit to Kutch, but Devpur Homestay was our favourite, despite being quite far away from everything else. If you’re looking for unusual hotels in India, chances are you’ll like this one.

Pros

• Beautiful heritage homestay set in a small 100-year-old fort
• Different kinds of rooms in various locations throughout the compound
• Very friendly and welcoming hosts
• Old-world feel, with lots of vintage fixtures and decorations
• Opportunities to volunteer at the community school inside the compound

Cons

• Sightly pricey
• Maintenance could be a bit better
• Located in a small village quite far from anywhere else

More about our trip: The colours of Kutch

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Maharashtra

Rusticville Farmstay, Pawna Lake

We spent a night at Rusticville Farmstay with a bunch of friends, and despite the facilities being basic, we had a good time. Not least because Tikona Fort was so close by.

Pros

• Very nice location, overlooking a lake and with a view of the hill-top Tikona Fort
• Bathrooms are provided for guests staying in tents
• Eco-friendly and comfortable (but basic) rooms made from mud and empty bottles
• Rooms have attached bathrooms with modern fixtures
• The room rate includes a barbecue and small bonfire on the edge of the valley
• Food is homely and tasty

Cons

• Located quite far away from anywhere
• The access track is bumpy and dusty
• If you haven’t barbecued before, you might have some difficulty
• Mud rooms take some getting used to
• Because of the natural surroundings, expect to encounter a few insects
• You’ll need to bring your own alcohol

More about our trip: Coming soon!

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Wildernest, Chorla

Technically in Maharashtra, this place is actually right on the corner with Karnataka and Goa, on the road from Belgaum to Panjim that goes over the Western Ghats. We stayed here for a few days during our road trip from Hyderabad to Gokarna.

Pros

• Great location on the hillside overlooking the valley, with lovely sunset views.
• Surrounded by natural beauty and the forests of the Western Ghats.
• Lots of privacy, with charming eco-chic ambience.
• Excellent food and a well-stocked bar.
• Room rate includes all meals and a number of activities.
• Plenty of trekking opportunities in the surrounding hills.
• Nice infinity pool on the edge of the valley.

Cons

• Overall maintenance could be better.
• Accessibility isn’t great; if you have difficulties with mobility, I wouldn’t recommend this place.
• The stone path leading through the resort is uneven; you need to be careful and watch your step.
• No air-conditioning, so afternoons can get uncomfortably warm.

More about our trip: Tips for a Hyderabad to Gokarna road trip via Chorla and Hampi

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BEYOND INDIA

Bali, Indonesia

Secret Point Huts, Nusa Ceningan

Of our eight days in Bali, the four days we spent at Secret Point Huts on the tiny island of Nusa Ceningan were by far the most enjoyable.

Pros

• Lovely location at the end of Ceningan’s main road
• Has access to a small private beach, and is across the road from the blue lagoon
• Very peaceful, especially in the evenings
• Friendly and helpful manager
• Cliff jumping at the nearby Mahana Point café is free for guests of Secret Point Huts

Cons

• Maintenance could be a bit better
• Staff sometimes come across as a little disinterested
• We didn’t have a fan in our room, only an AC

More about our trip: Bali diaries: Peace and crashing waves on Nusa Ceningan

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Kenya

Osero Lodge, Masai Mara

We spent two nights at the Osero Lodge, on the edge of the Masai Mara National Reserve, during our week-long safari in Kenya. And though it was the simplest of all the places we stayed at, we enjoyed our stay here the most.

Pros

• Small, simple, cosy camp
• Simple but tastefully decorated tents, dining room and lounge
• By far the best food we had during our week in Kenya!
• Very friendly manager and restaurant staff
• Can be contacted directly to arrange for direct flights to Masai Mara airstrip, safaris etc.
• Local Masai tribesmen are employed as staff and guides

Cons

• Quite pricey
• The track leading to the camp from the main road is VERY bumpy

More about our trip: Our Kenya safari: Up close with Africa’s incredible wildlife

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Kibo Safari Camp, Amboseli National Park

We stayed at the sprawling Kibo Safari Camp, on the edge of Amboseli National Park, on the first night into our safari. The camp was large and luxurious, but the breathtaking sunrise view of Mt. Kilimanjaro was what impressed us the most.

Pros

• Luxurious camp, located on the border of Amboseli National Park
• Incredible morning views of Mt. Kilimanjaro lit up by the rising sun
• Good food and service
• Friendly staff
• Elegantly furnished for a very ‘safari’ feel without compromise on comfort

Cons

• Quite pricey
• The camp is large, so you might need to walk quite a bit to reach the furthest cottages

More about our trip: Our Kenya safari: Up close with Africa’s incredible wildlife

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Lovely Cottage, Malindi

We spent a few days in Malindi for some much-needed rest after our safari. And our comfortable little room at Lovely Cottage was perfectly located for just that purpose.

Pros

• Private room on first floor of a tiny thatched-roof cottage in a gated layout
• The owner isn’t around six months of the year, so even more private
• A minute’s walk from the beach
• Access to the owner’s fully-functional external kitchen
• A common swimming pool for use by owners and guests
• Tastefully and comfortably furnished

Cons

• In off season, you may need to walk a bit to find places to eat
• The room has an AC but no fan (though you can ask for one)

More about our trip: A rejuvenating break in Malindi, on the coast of Kenya

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Nepal

Indsu Home, Kathmandu

We only stayed at Indisu Home for a night while passing through Kathmandu. But that one night left a serious impression on us.

Pros

• Decently located, about halfway between the historic Patan and Kathmandu durbar squares
• Off the main road, and removed from Kathamandu’s crazy traffic
• Elegantly furnished, clean, modern rooms
• Very friendly and helpful hosts
• Good food (and a great hot rum punch) served in the restaurant
• A sweet old doggie roaming the ground floor

Cons

• It takes some time to get used to the heater setting on the AC
• The doors don’t have bolts on the inside
• There’s no lift, and there are no rooms on the ground floor, so accessibility could be a problem

More about our visit: Coming soon!

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Dwarika’s Chhen, Kathmandu

We spent the second half of our Nepal trip in Kathmandu. And we and couldn’t have asked for a better-located place to stay than Dwarika’s Chhen (also called World Heritage Hotel).

Pros

• Unbeatable location, right on Kathmandu durbar square
• Charming old mansion, with traditional furnishings for a very homely feel
• Great views of the mountains (on clear days) and the durbar square from the roof
• Good food, served in various dining areas
• Friendly and enthusiastic service staff
• Within walking distance of the hip Thamel area

Cons

• Rough around the edges, with slightly cluttered interiors
• Cleanliness and maintenance could be better
• Rooms don’t have much of a view
• You might need to call down to the reception from your own phone
• Can get cold and draughty in winter
• They seemed a little reluctant to accept our booking, for some reason

More about our trip: Coming soon!

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Club ES Deurali Resort, Kaskikot

We stopped for lunch at Club ES Resort completely by chance, after our trek along the trail between Sarangkot and Kaskikot near Pokhara. If we’d known about this place earlier, we’d have spent at least one night here.

Pros

• Great location, with spectacular views of the Annapurna mountain range
• Tasty traditional food
• The traditionally-decorated dining room also has a large sit-out with great views
• Friendly and enthusiastic staff
• Not many visitors, so very peaceful
• Comfortable-looking rooms, with a view of the mountains
• Very close to the Deurali-Sarangkot hiking trail

Cons

• Access to the resort is on foot, and parking is a few hundred metres away
• Kaskikot is about an hour’s drive from Pokhara
• The dining sit-out is quite windy, and can get cold

More about our trip: 7 fun things to do in Pokhara while social-distancing

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The Seychelles

Choice Villa, Mahe

During our time on Mahe island, the basic but comfortable Choice Villa made a great base from which to explore the rest of the island.

Pros

• Large studio apartments with functional kitchen
• Quite private
• Very friendly and helpful owners and staff
• Close to the popular Beau Vallon beach
• Ocean view from the front lawn
• Nearby provision store for groceries

Cons

• Though the beach is across the road, access is 10 minutes’ walk further down

More about our trip: Six amazing discoveries we made in the Seychelles

Bird Island Lodge, Bird Island

Bird Island Lodge has probably been the most expensive place we’ve ever stayed in. But the incredible memories we took away from tiny Bird Island were worth every penny!

Pros

• The only resort on the entire tiny island
• Very private
• Large, airy cottages along the beach
• The island is in a conservation zone, so many species of birds and turtles can be seen from very close
• Highlight: Watching sea turtle hatchlings make their way down the beach and into the water
• Brilliant blue water and pristine white beaches
• Nice snorkelling just off the beach
• Rates include all meals

Cons

• Very pricey
• Charges for the flight to and from Mahe island are extra, and steep (they used to be included in the room rate)
• Rafts of seaweed floating around the island can sometimes make snorkelling difficult

More about our trip: Six amazing discoveries we made in the Seychelles

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Uganda

The Haven, Jinja

We had a cup of tea at The Haven during our first visit to Jinja, and resolved we would come back and spend a night in that lovely place. And we did.

Pros

• Tents, rooms and family cottages of various sizes
• Even mid-range rooms are large and tastefully decorated
• Spectacular view of the rapids on the White Nile river from the cottages and open dining area
• Very good food, with generous portions
• Reasonably eco-friendly, with electricity generated from solar panels

Cons

• A little pricey
• The pre-plated meals are so large that you’ll inevitably waste some food
• Somewhat far out of Jinja, and very far from Kampala

More about our trip: An adrenaline rush on the White Nile in Jinja

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And there you have it. We’ve discovered a whole bunch of unique hotels in India and beyond in all the years we’ve been travelling (even though there are a few that we only wish we could’ve stayed in). I’m sure we’ll keep discovering new awesome places to stay in the coming years. And when we do, I’ll try and update this list as we go along.

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