Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2025 i Travel + Leisure India & South Asia

DUBAI WAS ALWAYS a city I passed through, never one I paused for. As a third-culture kid, my teens were bookmarked by transits through this glittering desert hub. My sister adored its malls and beach promenades. I filed it mentally under “beautiful, but is it for me?”. Back then, I was too busy falling in love with the East Village’s vintage stores, Shoreditch’s graffiti, and Kreuzberg’s anarchic art collectives. Someone once told me, “If you want to find the soul of a city, find its artists.” However, I never thought to look for Dubai’s. This trip changed everything. A Renaissance Of Quiet Luxury Flying into Dubai now, the skyline feels different. Not louder, but more self-assured. Over the past decade, a wave of intimate, design-forward spaces like The Lana, Al…

GLOBAL LUXURY TAKES flight as Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, launches Legendary Journeys in partnership with Bucketlist Xperiences. Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, calls Legendary Journeys “a rare blend of personalised service and effortless, legacy-defining adventure”. India features prominently on the itinerary, with The Leela Palace Jaipur—a Legend Collection member—offering bespoke hospitality in the Pink City. Over three nights, guests enjoy VIP excursions to the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and City Palace, a visit to a private wildlife reserve, insights into jaguar conservation, and a grand royal wedding celebration showcasing India’s colour, culture and pageantry. Jordan Kaplan, President of Bucketlist Xperiences, describes Legendary Journeys as travel that transcends convention, pairing private-jet exclusivity with the excellence of independent luxury hotels worldwide. Guests fly…

CELEBRATIONS OFTEN DEMAND a setting that feels both alive and serene. In the heart of Gurugram, Hilton Gurugram Baani City Centre offers a stage where moments linger and memories take shape. Set in Sector 63, beside Baani City Centre, the hotel is housed at the centre of Gurugram’s bustling commercial landscape cocooned by corporate towers, sleek residential districts, and premium shopping and entertainment hub. It is a short drive from Indira Gandhi International Airport and DLF Cyber City, which makes it accessible for out-of-town wedding guests. Once you step inside the hotel, the entire vibe shifts: the property, designed by Bobby Mukherji Architects, leans into stylish minimalism. The lobby draws from Corbusian influences, combining travertine with backlit alabaster to create a calm, refined setting. Natural materials such as Roman travertine…

How did your journey combining philanthropy and tourism begin? My journey began with a very simple observation: places I loved visiting often revealed inequities that I could not ignore. Growing up in Delhi, I travelled with my family to parts of India and abroad, and I realised that the beauty tourists enjoy is often disconnected from the lives of the communities who sustain it. That tension stayed with me. What has travel taught you about social impact? Travel has taught me to notice what a place reveals when you pay attention. When I travel, I notice the infrastructure that works and the gaps that exist. I see who benefits from development and who is left outside its frame. Those contrasts taught me that impact begins with understanding the context of…

Looking back at your earliest work, what was the moment when you realised filmmaking wasn’t just a career but your personal way of interpreting the world? There was no single moment as such, but rather a series of discoveries that led me towards filmmaking. I wanted to work in the social sector, but was always passionate about theatre, literature, music, and art. When studying media and communication for my Master’s, I found that I loved the process of storytelling through cinema, which exists at the intersection of so many art forms. That led me to filmmaking as a career, as well as using it as a way to understand and engage with the realities of our time. Your films often explore intimate human relationships alongside larger social themes. How do…

The Story Behind The World’s Most Iconic Carpets Collector Danny Mehra shares his thoughts on the meaning of true luxury and his love for the tapestry of stories that tribal carpets hold. travelandleisureasia.com/in/people/vanishing-cultures-behind-worldscarpets/ Social Wellness Clubs Are The New Way We Gather We witness the rise of social wellness clubs across major destinations such as Dubai, Melbourne and Mumbai and why they’re the new favourite adult playground. travelandleisureasia.com/in/trips/wellness-spas/social-wellness-clubs-becoming-the-worldsmost-coveted-memberships/ The Ultimate Global Car-culture Bucket List This author takes you to the real-world locations where iconic machinery and car culture come to life. travelandleisureasia.com/in/people/culture/around-the-world-in-8-cars-the-ultimate-global-car-culturebucket-list/ PEOPLE Celebrity photographer Rohan Shrestha lets us in on his diving trip to the Galapagos, where orcas and frigid waters left him with more than just a humbling sense of awe. travelandleisureasia.com/in/people/my-biggest-high-is-when-i-feelinsignificant-says-rohan-shrestha-after-diving-in-the-galapagos/ DISCOVER Seeking The Ultimate Form of…

BORDERING THE BUFFER zone of Bandhavgarh National Park, Samode Safari Lodge offers a quieter, more unhurried access to the forest, where the wilderness begins the moment you leave the lodge. Dawn drives ease gently into the landscape, allowing the rhythms of the jungle to reveal themselves gradually. Spread across 30 acres, the lodge and its 12 villas occupy only a small portion of the land, allowing the forest to take centre stage. Each villa opens onto a private deck and carries Samode’s distinctive aesthetic—soft light, handcrafted details, and expressive touches of Gond art. Spacious bathrooms with both indoor and open-to-sky showers create a sense of relaxed indulgence. Between safaris, the rim-flow pool and serene spa offer space to unwind. The lounge, bar, and library, warm, atmospheric, and quietly elegant, invite…

LIKE A TRUE connoisseur of hospitality, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport has been regaling guests for close to three decades now. An oasis of luxury right next to India’s busiest international gateway, the hotel has always, unfailingly, welcomed global travellers, world leaders, and discerning guests with its signature warmth, which pulls them back, time and again. One step inside and it becomes clear what understated grandeur looks like rich wooden finishes, tasteful ambient lighting, and warm tones evoke a sense of timeless comfort. Every nook and cranny reflects superb craftsmanship and character, while staying true to its essence, that of being a hotel with a heart. Its legacy is built not just on impeccable service and worldclass amenities, but on the countless stories of celebrations, reunions, and memorable stays that…

PULLMAN AND NOVOTEL New Delhi Aerocity, a landmark dual-hotel destination in the capital, celebrated their decade-long journey of excellence in November this year. Over the past ten years, this strategic partnership has enabled the hotels to host international delegations, diplomats, and global travellers, deliver large-scale conventions, and contribute significantly to Aerocity’s reputation as a preferred hub for both business and leisure. Their location, seamless connectivity, and integrated offerings position the well-recognised hospitality complex as a convenient choice in the region. Together, the properties offer 670 rooms and suites, more than 14,200 square metres of versatile event space, and six award-winning culinary venues. Pullman New Delhi Aerocity features one of the largest ballrooms in Delhi NCR, a spa, and a fully equipped health club, among other facilities. Novotel New Delhi Aerocity…

The smell of limestone envelops me as I step into the Indo-Saracenic arches of the City Palace from the entrance gate into the Mubarak Mahal courtyard, where Sarvato Bhadra (Diwan-e-Khas) has hosted coronations and durbars across eons for the royal family of Jaipur. The pink sandstone with white geometric paint lines highlights the complex architectural styles, which reveal the century in which they were built. Today, however, my visit has an added purpose: to meet Princess Gauravi Kumari, the young custodian of this legacy and our December Art Issue cover star. From the corner of my eye, I catch sight of the quintessential markers of Jaipur design: the jaalis on the windows of the Zenana Mahal, the chevron patterns on the leheriya gate, and the murals and frescoes slithering up the…

Given your craft and design sensibilities, how would you define couture? For me, couture is not about extravagance, but about intimacy. It is the quiet dialogue between a designer, a craft, and the woman who will eventually wear that piece. True couture is shaped by hands that carry generational knowledge: the gota patti artisans of Rajasthan, the weavers who create textiles for Grassroot, and the women who embroider with a patience no machine can replicate. Couture is measured not by the weight of a lehenga or the scale of a runway, but by the intention behind every stitch. It should feel personal, purposeful, and rooted in culture. It is a living story, not just a seasonal trend. In a recent interview, you mentioned that one of your key purposes has…

You transitioned from mainstream fashion to reviving a fading tradition. What was the moment that convinced you to dedicate your life to preserving Naga tattooing? I didn’t have one dramatic moment. It happened slowly. When I began researching Naga tattoos in the early 2000s, I discovered how little was recorded and how much knowledge had already disappeared. The more I learnt, the more I realised how vast the gap was, and that sense of responsibility pulled me in. I understood that if someone didn’t take this forward now, it would vanish. That urgency became my direction. How do you navigate creating Naga designs while balancing sacred meanings with contemporary relevance? I always begin with intention. Indigenous motifs aren’t just aesthetics; they carry meaning, history and specific contexts. So when someone…

You’ve worked on projects across the country, from Jaipur to Odisha. How does place shape your creative process and conceptualisation? Architecture and Design are an extension of our lifestyles, which are determined by climate, food, local culture, and local materials and skills. And when we look to capture a sense of place, it is those aspects we are looking to capture. It’s important to create a sense of connection and rootedness in a place, especially when we travel, when we are seeking to discover it. And to that degree, the first step is for us to immerse ourselves—whether it is in ritual, local culture, food, clothing, and last but not least, climate, material, and skill, and of course the vernacular architecture of the region, which itself has been shaped by…

AT 9AM, WITH THE sun cutting cleanly through the morning chill, I step into my car outside Srinagar airport and begin the drive to the hotel I’ll call home for the next three days. And home it is, in more ways than one, let me elaborate. Designed and built by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1910, my humble abode in Srinagar is The LaLiT Grand Palace. Carrying decades of history, and the stories that shaped India, this palace-turned-hotel stands on the proud wings of memory, seamlessly balanced with the modern comforts today’s traveller seeks. Enveloped by the Himalayan ranges and overlooking the picturesque Dal Lake, it operates 113 well-equipped palace guest rooms, including 10 cottages boasting of magnificent décor and over 4,000 square feet of banqueting space, conference facilities, and a…

THE FOOD IN OUR country changes every 100 kms. A dal had in one household will never taste the same in another—even in the same neighbourhood sometimes. Migration, of course, has a role to play especially in cosmopolitan cities—but when it comes to royal families—a huge part of this cross cultural influence in food is historically through marriages across states and thikanas. This year, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation brought back the internationally recognised Food for Thought Fest to Ahmedabad. A four-day event at Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre, the festival—organised by the South Asian Association for Gastronomy—provides a unique forum for conversations on the diverse culinary heritage of the South Asian region. Travel+Leisure India & South Asia hosted a panel discussion with five royal families on the resurgence of royal cuisines, and…

FOR INDIANS, PLANNING a year end vacation on the tropical beaches of Boracay and Cebu on the Pacific Ocean just got simpler. Starting December 11, 2025, Air India, the only airline to operate non-stop flights between India and the Philippines, will be offering seven flights a week, up from five, on the Delhi-Manila sector. If Philippines has been on your wish list, this is the time to plan a winter vacation to this picturesque country in South East Asia, from India, with the increased frequency freeing travellers from juggling dates. Bookings for the increased frequencies have already opened and with visa free travel for Indians, planning a short trip or a long weekend is more convenient now. Expect the best of comfort and services, such as complimentary WiFi internet connectivity…

Jaipur Rugs has become synonymous with preserving India’s traditional weaving cultures. What cultural values shaped your approach to craft and community? From a very early age, I witnessed a harsh social reality where villagers and so-called “lower” communities were treated as untouchables, people others refused to work or even sit with. As a child, I could never understand why someone’s birth determined their worth, and that injustice stayed with me. When I eventually began working with weavers from these very communities, it reaffirmed what I had always believed: humans are human first. Their hands carried extraordinary skill, their hearts carried resilience, and all they ever needed was dignity. This experience shaped the cultural foundation of Jaipur Rugs, a belief that craft is not just about creating beautiful rugs, but about…

How has your upbringing in Meghalaya influenced the way you cook and think about food? I was rooted in village life growing up, though studying in Shillong exposed me to a more urban environment. My mother kept me grounded through the food she cooked, the stories she shared, and the traditions she preserved. Ironically, it was only when I left home that I truly understood the value of those roots. Being away made me realise how deeply they were woven into who I am. The flavours I grew up with, the ingredients from our land, the simplicity and honesty in our cooking, all of that became a part of my identity. Today, everything I cook is influenced by that realisation. How does travel influence your understanding of food and recipe…

How has your experience with LGBTQ+ cultures across different countries shaped the way you design experiences at The LaLiT? Travel has been my most flamboyant, fabulous educator. From drag brunches that spill onto the streets of New York, to safe, liberated nightlife in Berlin, to Pride-led tourism in Bangkok, you realise quickly that hospitality is not beds, buffets, chandeliers or silverware; it’s belonging. These encounters taught me something simple yet revolutionary: when queer people feel seen, they experience luxury differently—with ease, with joy, with dignity. That’s why, at The LaLiT, inclusion isn’t something we add at the end, it’s the foundation. You’ll see it in our gender-neutral hiring, inclusive policies, quee-rowned brands in our spaces, Pride brunches, drag nights, and empathyled training. At the heart of it is a belief…

IT WAS A HOT SUMMER DAY in Seoul, and I had taken refuge from the sun in the cool, industrial studio of the Korean artist Kim Yun Shin. Dressed in denim overalls, her hair a gray pouf, Kim, 89, had the demeanour of a woman content with her life. Through a translator, I admired the sculptures lining the walls: blunt wooden pieces cut with a chainsaw, many of them painted, some replicated in bronze. They all had a geometric quality that felt distinctly modern, but also reminded me of the joinery of a hanok, or traditional Korean house. Kim explained that she made them from algarrobo, a type of wood native to South America, as opposed to the red pine traditionally used in this region. As we walked through her…