6 New Luxury Hotels And Resorts Opening In India

From a new Leela in Sikkim and a Taj resort in Lonavala to luxury safari lodges in Jawai and Ranthambore, these upcoming hotels are adding fresh addresses to India’s luxury travel map

Official Website/tajmountkusur.com
Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas, Lonavala : Official Website/tajmountkusur.com

India’s luxury hotel boom is moving into some interesting corners of the country. The next wave includes Himalayan resorts, wildlife lodges, Western Ghats retreats and large-format city hotels, with several established hospitality names entering destinations where demand for high-end stays is growing. Some are scheduled to welcome guests within months, while others are still at the announcement stage. Here are six new luxury hotels and resorts to keep on the radar.

Vojara, Ranthambore

Vojara, Ranthambore
Vojara, Ranthambore Photo: Instagram/vojaralodge
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Ranthambore gets another intimate luxury safari address in October 2026 with Vojara, a 10-suite lodge in Bhadlao Village, less than 20 minutes from Ranthambore National Park. Founded by wildlife photographer, author, and entrepreneur Arjun Anand, the four-acre property has been developed over three years, with afforestation, rainwater harvesting, and land-use measures forming part of the project. The accommodation comprises eight Vojara Suites and two larger Grand Vojara Suites. Guest spaces include a lounge, bar, courtyard, open-air terrace, dining hall, spa and swimming pool, while The Boma is planned for bonfires and live cooking. A dedicated Outpost will focus on wildlife photography, with equipment assistance, interactive sessions and photography-related programming. The property is particularly geared towards travellers who want more from a safari stay than game drives, with photography, food, wellness, and personalised experiences built into its offering.

Things To Do Nearby: Spend your mornings and afternoons on Ranthambore National Park safaris, visit Ranthambore Fort, and explore the lakes, temples, and historic ruins around Sawai Madhopur. Birdwatching is another worthwhile addition to a longer stay.

The Leela Sikkim, Ranka

The Leela Sikkim, Ranka
The Leela Sikkim, Ranka Photo: Official Website/theleela.com
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The Leela is set to make its debut in Northeast India with The Leela Sikkim, scheduled to open in December 2026 in Ranka, approximately 10 kilometres from Gangtok. Spread across 17 acres overlooking Gangtok Hill, the resort will have 140 keys, comprising 88 rooms in the main hotel block and 35 independent luxury villas. Of these, 20 will be wellness villas, alongside twin villas and a six-room double-storey villa. Dining will include an all-day restaurant, speciality restaurant, wellness restaurant and lounge bar. The property will also feature a wellness centre, leisure facilities and a casino, with indoor and outdoor activities planned around the Himalayan setting. Its location is particularly interesting for travellers who want to combine Gangtok’s cultural attractions with a more resort-oriented stay. The Leela has positioned the project around Sikkim’s landscapes, cuisine, culture, and wellness traditions, giving the brand a substantial new presence in one of India’s most sought-after mountain destinations.

Things To Do Nearby: Explore Gangtok’s monasteries and markets, visit Rumtek Monastery, take in the views from Tashi View Point, or plan excursions towards Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass, subject to permits and weather conditions.

Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas, Lonavala

Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas, Lonavala
Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas, Lonavala Photo: Official Website/tajmountkusur.com
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Announced in September 2026, Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas marks Taj’s entry into India’s luxury branded-villa segment. Developed with Amavi, the 34-acre Western Ghats estate will combine a 100-key Taj resort with 32 branded villas, creating a hospitality-led second-home development between Mumbai and Pune. The villas take their cues from contemporary barn-style architecture, with large glass façades, verandahs and views across the surrounding lake and valley. The wider development will include a two-acre Wabi-Sabi Central Park, Miyawaki forest, nature trails, Zen gardens, stargazing decks, golf putting greens, a fitness lawn, and sports courts. Club Amavi will add wellness, recreation, dining and event facilities, while villa owners will have access to Taj services including concierge, housekeeping, and maintenance. The project is particularly notable for combining the infrastructure of a luxury resort with the privacy of a private residence in one of Maharashtra’s established weekend destinations.

Things To Do Nearby: Explore Karla and Bhaja Caves, hike to Lohagad, Visapur or Tikona forts, visit Ekvira Temple, or spend time around Pawna Lake. Kusur Ghat and Bendewadi Waterfall are also close to the estate.

Taj Yelahanka, Bengaluru

Morning mist and sunrise views from Nandi Hills near Bengaluru
Morning mist and sunrise views from Nandi Hills near Bengaluru Photo: Shutterstock
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North Bengaluru is getting a new luxury address with Taj Yelahanka, a 256-key hotel scheduled to begin operations by September 2026, subject to the completion of formalities and approvals. Located in the city’s fast-growing Yelahanka micro-market, the property is aimed at the area’s expanding corporate, MICE, and leisure demand. The hotel is being developed on a three-acre site, with another four-acre parcel earmarked for a possible second phase. While detailed room categories and the full food-and-beverage line-up have not yet been announced, the scale of the property points towards a full-service hotel designed for both business travellers and larger events. Its location also makes it useful for travellers exploring the northern part of Bengaluru, particularly those combining a city visit with Nandi Hills or the airport corridor. Taj Yelahanka is part of Taj GVK’s expansion in Bengaluru and will add substantial new luxury inventory to the city.

Things To Do Nearby: Explore Bengaluru Palace, visit the Indian Institute of Science, head towards Nandi Hills for a day trip, or explore the temples and vineyards around the northern Bengaluru region. The hotel is also positioned conveniently for Kempegowda International Airport.

Bookmark Resorts Cheetagarh, Jawai

Bookmark Resorts Cheetagarh, Jawai
Bookmark Resorts Cheetagarh, Jawai Photo: Official Website/bookmarkresorts.com
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Opening on October 1, 2026, Bookmark Resorts Cheetagarh is bringing a 20-key luxury retreat to one of Rajasthan’s most distinctive wildlife landscapes. The property is spread across the granite hills and wilderness of Jawai, a region known for its leopard population, dramatic rock formations, and pastoral Rabari communities. Accommodation will include chalets and villas, including private-pool categories, while the resort will have a swimming pool, spa, and wellness facilities. Dining will centre around Rotela Café, an all-day restaurant, with a waterside grill overlooking Rotela Lake. Experiences are being built around the destination itself, with leopard safaris, birdwatching, village visits, and cultural excursions forming a major part of the stay. The retreat is also part of Onora Hospitality’s growing presence in wildlife destinations, giving travellers another high-end base from which to explore Jawai beyond the traditional safari circuit.

Things To Do Nearby: Go on a Jawai leopard safari, spend time around Jawai Dam for birdwatching, visit Rabari settlements, and explore the area’s temples and granite formations. The landscape is particularly compelling around sunrise and sunset.

Raffles Ranthambore, Rajasthan

Raffles Ranthambore, Rajasthan
Raffles Ranthambore, Rajasthan Photo: Official Website/sukhaniventures.com
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Expected to open by mid-2027, Raffles Ranthambore is planned as a 63-villa ultra-luxury resort near Ranthambore National Park. The project will include 15 luxury tented accommodations, family suites and a honeymoon suite, bringing the Raffles format into one of India's most prominent wildlife destinations. The resort is expected to combine the brand’s personalised butler service with safari-led experiences, while its design by IDEAS Architects and Jeffrey Wilkes is being conceived around the grandeur of Rajasthan and the surrounding wilderness. The property will also introduce Raffles’ signature Long Bar to the destination. Its setting is the biggest draw: Ranthambore combines dry forest, lakes, historic ruins, and one of India’s best-known tiger reserves, making it possible to build a stay around both wildlife and heritage. With 63 villas rather than a conventional large hotel block, the project is clearly being positioned towards private, high-end safari travel.

Things To Do Nearby: Take guided safaris inside Ranthambore National Park, explore Ranthambore Fort, and visit the area’s lakes and historic ruins. The wider Sawai Madhopur region also has opportunities for village visits, birdwatching, and nature walks.

A note on tariffs: Room tariffs for these upcoming properties have not been announced yet. Rates are likely to be released closer to their respective opening dates.

FAQs

Q

1. Which new luxury hotels are opening in India in 2026?

A

Vojara in Ranthambore, The Leela Sikkim in Ranka, Taj Mount Kusur Resort & Villas in Lonavala, Taj Yelahanka in Bengaluru and Bookmark Resorts Cheetagarh in Jawai are among the properties scheduled to open in 2026.

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2. Which luxury hotels are coming to Ranthambore?

A

Vojara is scheduled to open in October 2026, while Raffles Ranthambore is expected to open by mid-2027.

Q

3. What new luxury resort is opening in Sikkim?

A

The Leela Sikkim in Ranka is scheduled to open in December 2026, with 140 keys including rooms, villas and wellness villas.

Q

4. Are there new luxury hotels coming to wildlife destinations in India?

A

Yes. Vojara and Raffles Ranthambore are coming to Ranthambore, while Bookmark Resorts Cheetagarh is opening in Jawai.

Q

5. Have tariffs been announced for these new luxury hotels?

A

Room tariffs for the properties covered in this article have not been announced yet and are expected to be released closer to their opening dates.

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