India's top 25 hotels

TripAdvisor has announced the winners of its 2013 Travellers Choice awards for hotels. In their 4th year in India, the awards have identified the 104 most outstanding properties across the country.

In India, smaller standalone hotels are steadily catching up with large chain properties especially in the service category, clearly indicating that marketing budgets and size of establishment are not imperative to delivering a great customer experience, finds TripAdvisor.

The Oberoi Group which leads the brigade of best hotels in several categories has maximum number of winning properties this year.

Take a look at India's top 25 hotels... 

1. The Oberoi Udaivilas
Udaipur, Rajasthan

A traditional palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas showcases the rich heritage of the Mewar region of Rajasthan with its architecture, courtyards, fountains, pools and verdant gardens.

The Oberoi Group, founded in 1934, operates 32 hotels and cruisers under the luxury 'Oberoi' and five star 'Trident' brands in India, Egypt, Mauritius, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.

...

2. Wildflower Hall
Mashobra, Himachal Pradesh

Situated at 8,250 feet in the magnificent Himalayas, Wildflower Hall is a fairy tale luxury resort set in 22 acres of pine and cedar plantation.

The former residence of Lord Kitchener, Wildflower Hall recreates the grand style of the colonial era.

...

3. Taj Lake Palace
Udaipur, Rajasthan

Lake Palace is located on a natural foundation of 4 acres rock on the Jag Niwas island in Lake Pichola, Udaipur. The hotel operates a boat which transports guests to the hotel from a jetty at the City Palace.

Established in 1903, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has 59 hotels in 41 locations across India and 18 international hotels in the Australia, Maldives, Malaysia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. 

...

Orange County, Kabini
Nagarhole, Karnataka

This picturesque resort by the Kabini River, brings visitors close to nature as the Kabini region is situated in the cusp of the Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks, one of the richest wildlife habitats in India.

Orange County Resorts & Hotels opened its second resort at Kabini in 2007.

...

The Leela Palace, New Delhi

This iconic palace style hotel is known for its architecture and stylish decor. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is owned and operated by Hotel Leelaventure Ltd. headquartered in Mumbai.

The luxury hotel group manages seven award-winning hotels in India which includes prime urban locations in Bangalore, Gurgaon, Mumbai, New Delhi and holiday resorts in Goa, Kovalam and Udaipur.

...

6. Orange County, Coorg
Siddapura, Karnataka

Orange County, Coorg offers luxurious facilities in a 300-acre lush green estate.

...

7. The Leela Palace
Udaipur, Rajasthan

The Leela Palace is located on the Lake Pichola offering spectacular views of the Aravalli Mountains.  The Leela Palace evokes grandeur and opulence of the land of the Mewar.

...

8. Oberoi Rajvilas
Jaipur, Rajasthan

Located amidst 32 acres of beautiful gardens, pools and fountains, The Oberoi Rajvilas revives the gracious lifestyles of India's legendary Rajput princes.

...

9. Vasundhara Sarovar Premiere
Alappuzha, Kerala

Located near the pristine backwaters of Alappuzha, Vasundhara is a 5 star resort with 60 rooms, suites, cottages and houseboats.

...

The Oberoi, Mumbai
Maharastra

Located in the city's prime business and shopping district of Nariman Point, The Oberoi, Mumbai has been redesigned to be one of the best hotels in terms of contemporary style and luxury in the city.

...

Oberoi Amarvilas
Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Rated amongst the leading resorts in the world, The Oberoi Amarvilas offers the best view of the Taj Mahal in Agra.

The hotel is located 600 meters from the Taj Mahal and all rooms, suites, lobby, bar and lounge offer breathtaking views of the monument.

 ...

Oberoi Cecil - Shimla
Himachal Pradesh

Over 100 years old, The Oberoi Cecil is a grand Heritage Hotel. It is situated at Chaura Maidan, Shimla, 7000 feet up in the Himalayas.

...

13. Taj Rambagh Palace
Jaipur, Rajasthan

A palace converted into a hotel, the Rambagh Palace offers 79 rooms and beautifully restored suites, which were the chambers of the former Maharaja.

...

The Oberoi Bangalore
Bangalore, India

The Oberoi Bangalore, is located on MG Road, the heart of the business, financial and shopping districts of Bangalore.

...

The Oberoi Grand
Kolkata, India

The Oberoi Grand, fondly referred as the 'Grande Dame of Chowringhee' offers the ultimate classical residence in the City of Joy.

Standing stately for over 125 years, The Oberoi Grand combines classic architecture and charm with state of the art amenities and facilities.

...

The Taj Mahal Palace
Mumbai, Maharashtra

Overlooking the Gateway of India with a panoramic view of the bay, the rooms and suites are the perfect blend of rich history and modern amenities.

...

The Oberoi
Gurgaon, Haryana

The plush hotel is located in the prime business district of Gurgaon in the New Delhi National Capital Region and is a 15 minute drive from Delhi International Airport. 

...

18. Umaid Bhawan Palace
Jodhpur, Rasjathan

Umaid Bhawan Palace, is one of the world's largest private residences, managed by Taj Hotels. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present owners of the palace, this monument has 347 rooms and serves as the principal residence of the erstwhile Jodhpur royal family.

...

19. Vivanta by Taj - Malabar
Kochi, Kerala

Vivanta by Taj is rated as one of the best hotels in the bustling city of Kochi.

...

Trident
Gurgaon, India

The award winning Trident, Gurgaon, is set amongst 7 acres of landscaped gardens, walkways, courtyards, reflection pools and fountains.

Trident, Gurgaon has been voted 'Asia's Leading Hotel' at the World Travel Awards, 2011.

... 

Taj Falaknuma Palace
Hyderabad, India

The former residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad, Falaknuma Palace has been leased by the Royal Family of Hyderabad to the Taj Group of Hotels Resorts and Palaces.

... 

The Imperial
New Delhi, India

The Imperial Hotel is a unique blend of old and new having successfully preserved its past aura to provide its guests with a lifetime of memories. It is a marvelous melange of victorian, colonial and art deco styles in its interiors.

...

23. Trident
Udaipur, India

Set in forty three acres of lush green landscaping, Trident, Udaipur is located on the banks of the picturesque Pichola Lake. The rooms at the Trident, Udaipur are furnished in shades of beige and light cream and the architecture reflects the ancient heritage of Udaipur.

...

Optus Sarovar Premiere
Gurgaon, Haryana

Optus Sarovar Premiere is located in the heart of the commercial district of Gurgaon and is easily accessible from corporate houses.

An upscale property, the hotel promises 80 rooms and suites with the most luxurious of amenities and stylish furnishings.

...

25. Taj Bengal
Kolkata, India

Taj Bengal, a city landmark in downtown Kolkata, is just 3 kms from the city's commercial centre.  Spacious rooms highlight a perfect blend of modern decor with impressive traditional accents.