Home - Shoba Narayan

Aramness Gir: for Destinasian

Featured, Travel

For Indians, the jungle is the original storybook where our epics unfolded: a space both sacred and transformative. But Gir is the only place where you can see the Asiatic Lion.

Soneva Maldives: for Mint Lounge

Featured, Luxury, Travel

Just outside my cottage at the Soneva Fushi resort was a coral reef. Several times a day, I walked out into the sea and start swimming with my flippers.

Birding in Costa Rica: for Condenast Traveler US

Featured, Travel

We were in Monteverde, the second leg of my family's eight-day-trip through Costa Rica. Our itinerary was tight. We would fly into San José, the capital, rent a car, and drive the La Fortuna region where the dormant Arenal volcano loomed over the landscape like a benevolent pyramid. From there it would be onward to Monteverde,...

Luxury Bhutan: for The National, Abu Dhabi

Featured, The National, Travel

I am crawling on all fours on a bund between the emerald paddy fields in Punakha Valley, Bhutan. Ahead is the fabled Mo Chu river. All around, perched on hillsides are Buddhist nunneries and monasteries, their prayer flags bringing to mind a Matisse print. This is Bhutan: carbon-negative, Buddhist and a pioneer in sustainable tourism....

The welcome "lemon" at the Park Hyatt hotel, Sydney

Australian Restaurants: for Khaleej Times Dubai

Featured, Food, Travel

Some time ago, I took a trip to New South Wales, Australia. Here are six Sydney restaurants that I tried and loved.

The Dalai Lama: for HT Brunch

Featured, Profiles, Spirituality

Where I sit with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for an hour and ask him about life, love, meditation, wisdom and ageing. His Holiness is a person like no other in today’s world. Statesman, Nobel Laureate, spiritual leader of the Tibetans who view him as God, or at least the manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, the...

Jasmine Perfume: for Travel & Leisure US

Featured, Travel

Can India be the source of the best jasmine extract in the world?

Travel Stories

Alsisar Haveli: Hotel Review: The Telegraph UK

Shoba Narayan2024-04-08T19:27:25+05:30August 23rd, 2017|Hotels, Travel|

This heritage hotel was once a large 'haveli' (traditional home) for a large Indian family. It has a welcoming and rather dramatic façade, open courtyards, a swimming pool, and a boutique that sells block-print clothes.

Narain Niwas Palace: Hotel Review: The Telegraph UK

Shoba Narayan2024-04-08T19:27:26+05:30August 18th, 2017|Hotels, Travel|

This heritage hotel, with its stunning entrance façade, has been with the same family since it was built in 1926, giving it an authenticity that is hard to duplicate. For a taste of Jaipur with all its charms and quirks, stay here.

Oberoi Rajvilas: Hotel Review: The Telegraph UK

Shoba Narayan2024-04-08T19:27:26+05:30August 3rd, 2017|Hotels, Travel|

A luxurious base from which to see Jaipur The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India Telegraph Review/ Shoba Narayan/ Travel writer 8/10 This hotel just outside Jaipur, with red-brick architecture [...]

ITC Rajputana: Hotel Review: The Telegraph UK

Shoba Narayan2024-04-08T19:27:27+05:30August 3rd, 2017|Hotels, Travel|

This hotel evokes the spirit of Rajasthan through the use of riotous colour, mural paintings, excellent Indian cuisine, and folk music every evening. The rooms with jewellery motifs, outdoor swimming pool and the pomegranate-themed spa offer respite from the desert heat.

Shangrila Bengaluru: Hotel Review: The Telegraph UK

Shoba Narayan2024-04-08T19:27:27+05:30August 3rd, 2017|Hotels, Travel|

With 397 rooms, this hotel in central Bangalore — a favourite for glittering Indian weddings — ably represents the Shangri-La global chain with an outstanding spa; Chinese, Italian, Indian and Japanese restaurants; and a rooftop bar that offers sprawling views of the city.

The Ritz-Carlton: Hotel Review: The Telegraph UK

Shoba Narayan2024-04-08T19:28:03+05:30August 3rd, 2017|Hotels, Travel|

With over 1,200 art works displayed all over, this jewel-like hotel in the heart of Bangalore has arguably the loveliest spa in the city, highly-rated Indian, Chinese and Continental restaurants, a Mercedes-Benz chauffeur pickup, and a wonderful design motif of painstakingly-carved extensive latticework.

ITC Gardenia: Hotel Review: The Telegraph UK

Shoba Narayan2024-04-08T19:28:03+05:30August 3rd, 2017|Hotels, Travel|

This extremely environmentally friendly hotel adroitly mixes guilt-free luxury with sustainable practices, making it a great choice for eco-conscious travelers through its use of renewable wind energy, eco-friendly fittings, and recycles all water and waste.

Taj Coramandel: Hotel Review: The Telegraph UK

Shoba Narayan2024-04-08T19:28:04+05:30August 3rd, 2017|Hotels, Travel|

The only Chennai hotel that is part of the ‘Leading Hotels of the World,’ this 42-year-old landmark is where Chennai glitterati come for dates, engagements and weddings. It melds Chola bronzes, Tanjore paintings, Italian marble and Bohemian chandeliers to glittering effect.

Taj West End, India: Hotel Review: The Telegraph UK

Shoba Narayan2024-04-08T19:28:04+05:30August 3rd, 2017|Hotels, Travel|

With 150-year old raintrees, gulmohars, and banyans, this leafy 20-acre property successfully drowns out traffic noise and offers a significantly higher oxygen level, both luxuries without a price-tag. Quite simply, this is the most verdant hotel in Bangalore — beloved of locals and repeat guests.