8 Top Luxury Stays in Bangalore from Colonial to Chic

Taj West End swimming pool.
Taj West End swimming pool. Amar Grover/Getty Images

There's no shortage of 5-star hotels in Bangalore and they're among India's finest too. Most of Bangalore's luxury hotels have spacious grounds and marvelous architecture. Here are eight of the best ones, in areas that are handy for sightseeing. The rates stated below will vary depending on the time of year.

01 of 08

Steeped in History: Taj West End

Taj West End
Taj West End
Address
25, Race Course Rd, High Grounds, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001, India
Phone +91 80666 05660

The Taj West End hotel is an evergreen favorite in Bangalore. Built in 1887, it started out as an inn for British soldiers and was the city's first hotel. Since then, it's been expanded but still retains an old-world aura with meticulously preserved Gothic architecture. The hotel occupies a sprawling 20 acres of tropical garden near the racecourse, right next to the Bangalore Turf Club and Bangalore Golf Club. The location is about ten minutes west of MG Road and the city center. There are 117 guest rooms, some of which are family rooms. Facilities include free WI-FI and parking, three restaurants (including India's finest Vietnamese restaurant), a bar, special activities for children, fitness center and spa and wellness center. High tea, served on the hotel lawns, is a highlight. It's also possible to enjoy a private meal under a 150 year old rain tree!

  • Rates: From 11,000 rupees per night, plus taxes.
02 of 08

Refined and Exclusive: The Oberoi

The Oberoi
The Oberoi
Address
37-39, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Yellappa Garden, Yellappa Chetty Layout, Sivanchetti Gardens, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001, India
Phone +91 80 2558 5858

The Oberoi is another oasis-like luxury hotel in Bangalore. It was built in 1993 and refurbished in 2006. If location is important to you, you'll love the fact that the hotel is conveniently situated on MG Road, right in the heart of the city's action. Another selling point is that all rooms have private balconies overlooking the extensive gardens or swimming pool. The 160 guest rooms include 68 newly designed luxury rooms that were launched in 2012. The staff is helpful and friendly and the food includes excellent Thai and Chinese cuisine. There's also an alfresco bar and swimming pool and wellness spa. The hotel offers a number of experiences such as customized bicycle tours of the city, trips to Nrityagram dance village, guided walks through the hotel's extensive gardens ending with a high tea and cooking classes for children.

  • Rates: From about 13,000 rupees per night, plus taxes.
03 of 08

Hip and Happening: Vivanta by Taj, MG Road

Vivanta by Taj, MG Road
Vivanta by Taj, MG Road
Address
41/3, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Yellappa Garden, Yellappa Chetty Layout, Sivanchetti Gardens, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001, India
Phone +91 80666 04444

The very popular Vivanta by Taj hotel (previously known as the Taj Regency) is a less costly alternative to The Oberoi on MG Road. The Vivanta by Taj brand, launched in 2011, offers a more relaxed and contemporary form of luxury. In contrast to the quiet, exclusive ambiance at the Oberoi, the Vivanta by Taj on MG Road is hip and more business-like. Its poolside Ice bar is one of the most happening places in the city, with delicious cocktails plus DJs and dancing on the weekends. There are also three restaurants and a coffee shop, convention center and meeting rooms and Jiva spa.

  • Rates: From 9,500 rupees per night, plus taxes.
04 of 08

Regal Glitz and Glamor: Leela Palace

Leela Palace
Leela Palace

The Leela Palace was built in 2003 as a modern-day palace, with spectacular architecture inspired by the Royal Palace of Mysore and the palaces of the Vijayanagar Empire. Think an abundance of marble, gleaming chandeliers, spiral staircases and prolific arches. The hotel is set on nine acres of landscaped grounds about 15 minutes east of MG Road and the city center. It's home to two world-renowned restaurants -- the opulent Jamavar (one of the best Indian cuisine restaurants in Bangalore) and Le Cirque (featuring signature dishes from the flagship Le Cirque New York). In addition, they've added Citrus (all day dining), Zen (Pan Asian restaurant), The Library Bar and the Cake Shop. There are 357 guest rooms and suites.

  • Rates: From about 12,000 rupees per night, plus taxes.
Continue to 5 of 8 below.
05 of 08

Environmentally Friendly: ITC Gardenia

ITC Royal Gardenia
ITC Royal Gardenia
Address
1, Residency Rd, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025, India
Phone +91 80 2211 9898

It's all about going green at the acclaimed ITC Gardenia, which opened overlooking the garden city's century-old Bangalore Club in 2009. The hotel blends luxury and responsibility with noteworthy features including vertical gardens, solar energy, water harvesting and recycling and conservative use of air-conditioning (there's none in the lobby). It's apparently also India's first hotel to have an operable helipad and privileged guests can transfer to the hotel from Bangalore airport by helicopter. The hotel's gigantic 5,400 square foot Peacock Suite is spread over two floors and has its own private open-air swimming pool overlooking the city and special elevator entrance. The hotel also has a separate floor for especially for female travelers and a large Kaya Kalp spa that maintains the standards of the original one at the ITC Mughal in Agra. There are six restaurants and 292 rooms.

  • Rates: From about 12,000 rupees per night, plus taxes.
06 of 08

Corporate: JW Marriott

JW Marriott
JW Marriott
Address
24/1, Vittal Mallya Rd, KG Halli, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001, India
Phone +91 80671 89999

One of Bangalore's newest hotels, the JW Marriott opened in 2013. Its stately and sedate environment with contemporary wooden interiors is well-suited to corporate travelers, as too are the hotel's business facilities and location. The hotel is situated right next to Cubbon Park, UB Mall and the UB City business district. There's more than 10,000 square feet of event space for everything from conferences to product launches. The hotel also has Alba, an Italian restaurant; Bar Uno, a tapas bar; Spice Terrace, serving food and drinks poolside; JW Kitchen, all day fine dining; a wellness spa and fitness center. Its 281 guest rooms are among the largest in Bangalore and many have balconies overlooking Cubbon Park.

  • Rates: From 11,000 rupees per night, plus taxes. 
07 of 08

Colonial Charm: ITC Windsor

ITC Windsor
Address
Windsor Square, 25, Golf Course Road, Abshot Layout, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560052, India
Phone +91 80 2226 9898

Don't be fooled into thinking that the ITC Windsor is a heritage property. Although it has plenty of convincing colonial character, it's not! It was built in 1982 to resemble a British manor and it's certainly got the ambiance of one. The decor features priceless Raj-era paintings and period furniture. And, many guests say that the hotel feels like a second home due to the personalized service. Foodies will appreciate some of the best dining destinations in the city, such as Dakshin (south Indian cuisine), Dum Pukht Jolly Nabobs (Raj-inspired Indian cuisine) and Royal Afghan (northwest frontier cuisine). There's an inviting Irish pub, Dublin, which often has live music and happy hours. Their newest restaurant, Raj Pavilion, is lit by massive windows overlooking the pool. The hotel is located in a secure and peaceful diplomatic enclave about 15 minutes from MG Road and the city center. This may be a drawback for some, as local transport is hard to come by outside the hotel and the hotel's taxis are costly. Uber is an alternative. There are 240 guest rooms spread across four classes: ITC One, Tower, Executive Club and the Manor. The premium Tower rooms are housed in a separate wing with its own reception and check-in.

  • Rates: From about 9,600 rupees per night, plus taxes.
08 of 08

Brand New and Modern: Conrad

Conrad Bangalore
Conrad Hotels & Resorts
Address
25/3, Kensington Rd, Halasuru, Someshwarpura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008, India
Phone +91 80 2214 4444

Newly constructed and opened in early 2018, the Conrad is notably south India's tallest hotel building. Its 285 guest rooms are spread across 24 floors scenically overlooking Bangalore's Ulsoor Lake, in the central business district just off MG Road. The hotel, which is managed by Hilton, is Conrad's second property in India (the first is located in Pune in Maharashtra). Highlights include five restaurants and bars, one of the largest meeting and events spaces in the city, stunning infinity swimming pool, dedicated kid's pool, comprehensive wellness spa, fitness center and extensive use of smart technology in the rooms. The hotel also offers guests short curated itineraries that provide immersive local experiences.

  • Rates: Expect to pay 9,000 rupees per night upwards, plus taxes.
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8 Top Luxury Stays in Bangalore from Colonial to Chic