Almora, Indian Himalayas, India

It’s hard to imagine a more heavenly location in the Himalayan foothills than the wooded slope occupied by this charming hotel outside Almora. Dotted around a British house dating from colonial times, its widely spaced cottages nestle in the shade of fragrant cedar, cypress, pine and oak trees, with uninterrupted views of the distant snow peaks from their verandas. Inside, the rooms are warmed by cosy wood burners. Early risers are rewarded with one of the finest sunrise vistas of the Kumaon Himalaya.