Gujarat is India's westernmost state, a broad sweep of Arabian Sea coastline, salt desert, and temple towns on the border with Pakistan and Rajasthan. It holds four UNESCO World Heritage Sites plus the walled city of Ahmedabad, the only Asiatic lion population on earth at Gir, the white salt flats of the Rann of Kutch, and the 182-metre Statue of Unity. It is also an alcohol-prohibition state with a famously vegetarian kitchen, from the multi-course Gujarati thali to Surat's locho and Kutch's dabeli.
Luxury hotels
Five-star and palace properties.
ITC Narmada, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad's flagship luxury hotel, styled on Gujarat's step-wells and palaces, with a full-service spa, outdoor pool and acclaimed North Indian dining.
Taj Skyline Ahmedabad
A high-rise Taj hotel with skyline views, an indoor pool and a spa, in Ahmedabad's western business and dining district.
Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad
A five-star hotel on the Sabarmati riverfront side of Ashram Road, a short drive from Gandhi Ashram, with a pool and spa.
The House of MG, Ahmedabad
A restored 1924 mansion in the walled city, the only true heritage boutique stay in the Old City, with the Agashiye rooftop restaurant.
The Leela Gandhinagar
A five-star hotel beside the Mahatma Mandir convention centre with a pool, spa and multiple restaurants, useful for Akshardham and Adalaj Stepwell.
Nilambag Palace Hotel, Bhavnagar
A former Maharaja's palace turned heritage hotel with gardens and period interiors, the best base for Bhavnagar and the Palitana Shatrunjaya climb.
Rann Utsav - The Tent City, Dhordo
A seasonal luxury tent city beside the White Rann salt flats, open roughly November to February, with cultural evenings and sunrise and full-moon Rann access.
Vivanta Vadodara
A Taj-operated hotel in leafy Akota with a pool and spa, calmer than central Vadodara and close to the Laxmi Vilas Palace circuit.
Grand Mercure Vadodara Surya Palace
A five-star hotel in central Sayajigunj near Vadodara railway station, with a pool, spa and several restaurants.
Fine dining
Michelin-starred and chef-driven restaurants.
Agashiye, The House of MG
A rooftop restaurant serving an unlimited Gujarati thali in a restored 1924 mansion in the walled city, with views of Sidi Saiyad Mosque. Set menu, vegetarian, dinner is the atmospheric sitting.
Peshawri, ITC Narmada
The ITC signature restaurant serving tandoor-cooked kebabs and slow-cooked dal in a rustic frontier setting inside ITC Narmada.
Dum Pukht, ITC Narmada
ITC's Awadhi dum pukht restaurant, serving sealed-pot biryanis and kebabs from Lucknow's royal kitchens inside ITC Narmada.
Vishalla
A village-themed open-air restaurant in Vasna, Ahmedabad, serving Gujarati thali on leaf plates in clay-floored courtyards, next to the Vechaar Utensils Museum.
Gordhan Thal
A well-known Ahmedabad thali restaurant serving unlimited Gujarati and Kathiyawadi dishes, popular with families on weekends.
Mandap Restaurant
A Vadodara restaurant known for its unlimited Gujarati thali, a fixture for visitors to Laxmi Vilas Palace.
Exclusive experiences
Bespoke and once-in-a-lifetime activities.
Private Lion Safari and Naturalist Drive, Sasan Gir
Book a permitted jeep safari in Gir National Park with a forest department guide to seek Asiatic lions in dry deciduous forest. Permits for the 3-hour safari are issued online through girlion.gujarat.gov.in and are limited per slot; the park is closed roughly mid-June to mid-October.
Full-Moon Night on the White Rann, Dhordo
Stay in the Rann Utsav Tent City and walk onto the salt flats at sunrise or under the full moon. Camel-cart rides, folk music and Kutchi craft stalls are part of the stay from roughly November to February.
Ahmedabad Heritage Walk with a Private Guide
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation walk starts at the Swaminarayan Temple in Kalupur, passing carved wooden havelis, pols and bird-feeding towers. A private guide can be hired for a longer, customised route.
Kutch Craft Villages Private Day Tour
A chauffeured day from Bhuj to the block-print village of Ajrakhpur, Bhujodi weavers and Nirona lacquerware workshops, meeting artisans directly.
Palace Stay and Royal Dining, Bhavnagar
Stay at Nilambag Palace and add a day trip to Palitana's Shatrunjaya temple complex, a climb of about 3,800 steps best done at first light.
Spas & wellness
World-class spa retreats and treatments.
Kaya Kalp - The Royal Spa, ITC Narmada
The ITC brand spa offers Ayurvedic and international treatments in Ahmedabad, alongside a pool and fitness centre.
Jiva Spa, Taj Skyline Ahmedabad
A Taj Jiva spa with Indian-inspired massage and therapies, on the western side of Ahmedabad.
The Leela Spa, Gandhinagar
Full-service spa at The Leela Gandhinagar with massages and Ayurvedic therapies.
Luxury transport
Travel in style.
- Option
- An air-conditioned sedan or SUV with a driver, hired for multi-day circuits (Ahmedabad, Gir, Somnath, Dwarka, Kutch). Drivers arrange fuel and tolls; confirm inclusions in writing.
- Option
- A premium reserved train linking Mumbai and Gandhinagar with a stop at Ahmedabad. Executive Chair Car class is the upper option.
- Option
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) serves Ahmedabad; Rajkot and Bhuj have domestic connections, saving long road transfers.