In India, heritage homestays differ from Heritage Havelis & Hotels in that they’re, first and foremost, family homes. They’re almost always owner-occupied and run fairly informally, most often by older members of the former landed gentry.
They’re pretty unique to India, though the closest comparison might be a family-run B&B in the UK.
They are generally lovely, spacious houses or converted ‘havelis’ (traditional mansions), often elegantly furnished in a classic style. Service is always warm and welcoming, though some staff may speak little English and rely on the family to translate. It can be a little idiosyncratic… but that’s all part of the charm.
In our eyes, staying in a heritage homestay is a real treat. They offer a distinctive character and an intimate, lived-in atmosphere that’s well worth including in your luxury India holiday.
A highlight of this kind of stay is sharing stories with the family over home-cooked meals. It’s a chance to get a feel for local life, hear their anecdotes, and gain a perspective you wouldn’t find in a typical hotel.
Talk to us, and we’ll help you find a homestay that fits beautifully into your trip.
Explore ETG's Favourite Heritage Homestays
Udaipur, India
Dev Shree
Nestled in the Aravali Hills between Udaipur and Jodhpur, Dev Shree is a warm and elegant country retreat built in the style of a grand haveli. Family-run and rooted in the local Deogarh community, this serene property offers a friendly, authentic Rajasthani experience. With lush gardens, welcoming hosts and heritage-inspired charm, it’s a calming stop on your journey through Rajasthan.
Highlights
Highlights
Elegant haveli design,
Village immersion
Best for
Couples,
Culture Seekers
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Uttarakhand, India
Abbotsford Heritage Homestay
Perched in the Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand, Abbotsford Heritage Homestay offers a slice of colonial-era mountain life. Built in 1876 and still family-owned, the property exudes warmth, character, and literary charm.
Highlights
Highlights
Charm & character
Best for
Couples
West Bengal, India
Bari Kothi
Overlooking the Hooghly River in Murshidabad, Bari Kothi is an 18th-century palace lovingly restored into a boutique heritage hotel. Once the residence of a prominent zamindar family, today it offers guests a unique chance to step into Bengal’s forgotten royal past.
Highlights
Highlights
Riverfront sunsets,
Historic architecture
Best for
Couples,
Solos,
History Enthusiasts
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Rajasthan, India
Bundi Vilas
Built into the ramparts of Bundi Garh Palace, Bundi Vilas is a 300-year-old haveli offering an atmospheric escape in Rajasthan’s quiet blue city. With just seven rooms and panoramic views from its rooftop terrace, this boutique heritage stay combines local character, laidback charm and romantic surroundings in equal measure.
Highlights
Highlights
Rooftop dining,
Palace setting,
Authentic Bundi experience
Best for
Couples,
Solos,
Heritage Enthusiasts
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Jaipur, India
Dera Mandawa
A peaceful hideaway in the heart of Jaipur, Dera Mandawa is an ancestral haveli turned boutique hotel. Step through its gates and into a world of courtyards, heritage charm and warm Rajasthani hospitality. Family-run and steeped in local culture, it’s a soulful retreat that offers a personal and characterful alternative to city hotels.
Highlights
Highlights
Personal hosting,
Heritage charm
Best for
Couples,
Solos,
Culture Seekers
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Karnataka, India
Gitanjali Homestay
Tucked away in a leafy Mysore neighbourhood, Gitanjali Homestay is a peaceful, family-run retreat offering warm Kodava hospitality. Surrounded by tranquil gardens and a resident menagerie, this characterful property provides a window into South Indian culture, cuisine, and community.
Highlights
Highlights
Local culture,
Homestay hospitality
Best for
Couples,
Solos,
Culture Seekers
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Tamil Nadu, India
The Bangala
At the edge of Karaikkudi, The Bangala is a charming heritage stay with deep roots in Chettinad’s storied past. Housed in a century-old mansion, its past lives as a private club and dignitary guesthouse lend a sense of quiet grandeur. Guests come for the historic atmosphere, warm hospitality, and the culinary experience that’s become a highlight of the region.
Highlights
Highlights
Chettinad cuisine,
Heritage history,
Homely charm
Best for
Couples,
Solos,
Food Enthusiasts
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Gujarat, India
The Bhuj House
Set in the heart of Bhuj, The Bhuj House is a restored heritage haveli offering a rare chance to experience traditional Kutchi culture in a warm and personal setting. With just four rooms arranged around a leafy courtyard, this historic home feels both intimate and atmospheric, a quiet escape from the bustle of the town outside.
Highlights
Highlights
Intimate courtyard setting
Best for
Families,
Groups,
Culture Seekers
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West Bengal, India
The Garden Bungalow
Set in the cultural heartland of Santiniketan, The Garden Bungalow is a peaceful heritage retreat surrounded by three acres of exotic gardens. Built with sensitivity to local aesthetics, the property is steeped in the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore and offers an atmospheric base for exploring this fascinating university town.
Highlights
Highlights
Heritage garden setting
Best for
Couples,
Solos,
Culture Seekers
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Rajasthan, India
Castle Bera
Castle Bera is an intimate heritage homestay in the rural village of Bera, Rajasthan, offering friendly hospitality and access to one of India’s best leopard spotting regions. The private residence of Thakur Baljeet Singh, this understated fort-style property blends faded grandeur with a relaxed, homely feel, ideal for exploring Jawai’s rocky landscapes and desert wildlife.
Highlights
Highlights
Spell-binding setting,
Leopard spotting,
Heritage atmosphere
Best for
Couples,
Solo
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Our Unique Holidays in India
Relaxing, immersive, life-affirming adventures that show you the best of the destination. Packed with experiences that connect you to the country and are kind to its people and environment. Your holiday can be as adventurous or as luxurious as you choose, as every trip will be turned into your own bespoke package.
Here are some ideas to spark your curiosity…
Agra
The Golden Triangle & The Himalayas
This is a proper adventure, taking in the riches of Rajasthan before venturing deep into the Himalayas to explore the off-the-beaten-track Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. After tiger-spotting in Corbett, escape to the unspoiled Kumaon region in Uttarakhand. Here, colonial-era hill stations and quiet Himalayan villages offer a slower pace and extraordinary views, far from the tourist trail.
Highlights
Iconic sights
Seeing the best of Rajasthan (think the Taj, tigers and terrific forts, palaces and handicrafts)
Unique accommodation
Staying in haveli hotels and warm and welcoming luxury homestays with fascinating histories
Himalayan views
Ending the holiday on a (literal) high in the Himalayas, venturing into the Kumaon region that most tourists miss
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India
Birds of South India
Discover lesser-visited but beautiful areas of Southern India during this two week holiday. There is a particular focus on the region’s abundant birdlife, exceptional for casual and serious aficionados. Visit several sanctuaries and travel through the lush western ghats, known as a treasure house of endemic species, as well as the strictly protected wildlife of Bandipur National Park.
Highlights
Rangananthittu Bird Sanctuary
End your journey with a visit to the Rangananthittu Bird Sanctuary, home to some 170 exquisite bird species
Valparai
Explore Valparai’s remote landscapes through forest treks in an area full of wildlife, including some of the most endangered varieties of hornbills
Bandipur National Park
Spot elusive big game on sunrise and sunset safaris in Bandipur National Park
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Gujarat
Gujarat In Depth
Go beyond the usual India routes on this 17-day adventure through Gujarat, a region where ancient civilisations, wildlife sanctuaries and traditional crafts still thrive. From the heritage streets of Ahmedabad to the stark beauty of the Rann of Kutch, this itinerary blends history, wildlife and cultural immersion. You’ll meet master artisans in Bhuj, witness blackbuck deer leaping through the grasslands of Velavadar, and step back in time at World Heritage sites like Patan and Modhera.
Highlights
Ahmedabad
Explore an array of astounding world heritage sights in Ahmedabad and beyond
Wildlife spotting
Spot impressive birds and wildlife like the Asiatic lion and blackbuck deer in Velavadar, Sasan Gir Park and the otherworldly Rann of Kutch
Artisan heritage
Contribute towards the preservation of an array of special traditional arts and crafts by visiting the artisan villages around Bhuj
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