The Royal Orchid Metropole , Mysore India, Karnataka

The first thing you’ll notice upon arrival at the Metropole is the impressive façade. This characterful heritage hotel is functional, practical, and attractive, although a tad dated for the new millennium. All the same, it retains a special ambience with its sweeping arches, ornate interior, lovely grounds, and free-form pool.

In and around Mysore, there are plenty of museums, galleries, temples, churches, and silk factories to poke through. Just outside of the city, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a nature lover’s paradise, and day trips include Srirangapattana and the Venu Gopala Swamy Temple. The Royal Orchid is in the centre of Mysore, in close proximity to many of the city’s sights and treasures.

There are only 30 rooms at this heritage hotel, and all of them are spacious and well appointed. The entry-level royal rooms have everything you’ll need for your stay, but the Heritage Rooms are particularly regal, with generous dining and sitting areas and plenty of space. Royal Orchid Metropole still attracts plenty of business travellers, but its special charm and character also make it a good choice for visitors to Mysore, as long as you don’t need sleek and minimalistic modern lodgings.