Northeast Hill States, India

This is one of the loveliest, most serene places to stay in the Northeast, if not all India. Set on a hillside under pines overlooking Uniam Lake, the hotel takes its cue from traditional Khasi architecture, incorporating grass-thatch roofs and wood lining for the rooms, which are huge and have picture windows that make the most of the spellbinding rural views across the forest and water. In short: a supremely relaxing, homely, peaceful retreat from which to explore this fascinating area around Shillong.