Karnataka is a large state in southwest India, stretching from the Arabian Sea coast across the forested Western Ghats to the Deccan plateau. It combines the UNESCO-listed ruins of Hampi, the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebidu, the royal city of Mysuru, coffee-covered Coorg hills, and the beaches of Gokarna and Udupi, with Bengaluru as India's technology capital.
Luxury hotels
Five-star and palace properties.
The Oberoi, Bengaluru
Garden hotel near MG Road metro with a courtyard pool and spa; Oberoi butler-style service.
Taj West End, Bengaluru
Heritage hotel dating to 1887 in 20 acres of gardens with colonial cottages.
ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru
Luxury hotel with Dum Pukht and Ottimo restaurants and a spa.
The Leela Palace Bengaluru
Palace-style hotel inspired by Mysore architecture with garden pool and butler service.
Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel, Mysuru
1931 palace built for guests of the Maharaja of Mysore; domed ballroom and formal gardens.
Evolve Back, Hampi
Vijayanagara-inspired pool villas near the UNESCO ruins.
Evolve Back, Coorg
Plantation resort with private pool villas and Kodava architecture.
Taj Madikeri Resort and Spa
Hillside resort with valley views and Ayurvedic spa.
Evolve Back Kabini
Hut-style luxury resort by the Kabini backwaters with safaris.
SwaSwara, CGH Earth
Ayurveda and yoga retreat above Om Beach.
Fine dining
Michelin-starred and chef-driven restaurants.
Dum Pukht at ITC Windsor
Slow-cooked Awadhi dum cuisine, a Bengaluru fine dining institution. Reserve via the hotel.
Karavalli, Taj Gateway
Long-running coastal cuisine of Karnataka, Kerala and Goa in a courtyard setting.
Lalitha Mahal Palace Dining Hall
Palace dining in the heritage hotel in Mysuru.
Exclusive experiences
Bespoke and once-in-a-lifetime activities.
Private Kabini boat and jeep safari
Guided jeep and boat safaris for tiger, leopard and elephant via the resorts and Karnataka Forest Department.
Hampi heritage private guide
Private-guided tour of Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple and the Royal Enclosure, best at sunrise.
Coorg coffee estate stay and plantation walk
Estate walks, coffee tasting and Kodava cuisine at plantation resorts such as Evolve Back Coorg.
Mysuru Palace and Dasara private tour
Private tour of Mysore Palace and the Dasara festival procession.
Spas & wellness
World-class spa retreats and treatments.
Spa at The Oberoi, Bengaluru
Wellness spa offering Ayurvedic and Balinese treatments.
SwaSwara Ayurveda and Yoga
Residential Ayurveda and yoga programmes.
Taj Madikeri Spa
Resort spa with Ayurvedic and Western treatments.
Luxury transport
Travel in style.
- Option
- Multi-day cars with driver from licensed operators; about 150 km Bengaluru to Mysuru via the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway.
- Option
- Karnataka's luxury train runs fixed Bengaluru-Mysuru-Hampi style itineraries in partnership with the state tourism board; fares are set per itinerary on its website.
- Option
- Kempegowda International Airport to central Bengaluru is about 35-40 km; hotel-arranged cars.