As travellers increasingly look for places that offer more than just a comfortable stay, unique and immersive accommodations have taken center stage in the hospitality world. The modern guest craves more than luxury — they seek experiences, stories, and surroundings that are unlike any other. Reflecting this growing trend, TripAdvisor has announced the winners of its 2025 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotel Awards, and with it, introduced a new category that celebrates truly extraordinary stays – the “One of a Kind” hotels.
The awards are determined entirely by the feedback of global travellers — based on a year’s worth of exceptional reviews, ratings, and stories shared by real guests. Only those properties that consistently go above and beyond earn a place on this coveted list.
Leading the charge this year is none other than India’s Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur — a breathtaking heritage property that has officially been crowned the world’s top-rated “One of a Kind” hotel.
Originally known as Jag Niwas, the palace was constructed between 1743 and 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II to serve as a lavish summer retreat for the Mewar royal family. Nestled in the heart of Lake Pichola, its gleaming white marble façade gives the illusion that it’s floating serenely on water.
In 1971, the palace began its second life as a luxury hotel under the stewardship of the Taj Group. While the property retains its regal heritage and architecture, it has been carefully restored and outfitted with world-class amenities. Today, it features 65 rooms and 18 suites, each one a masterpiece of opulent design, complete with hand-carved furnishings, rich textiles, and traditional Indian artworks.
Access to the hotel is exclusively by boat, adding to the charm of its secluded and romantic appeal. Guests can indulge in fine Indian and international cuisine at its elegant restaurants, enjoy relaxing treatments at the on-site spa, or take a peaceful cruise across the lake at sunset. Over the years, the hotel has welcomed some of the world’s most distinguished guests — from Queen Elizabeth II and Jacqueline Kennedy to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. It also famously appeared in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy.
Adding to its unique character, the hotel’s butlers are more than just staff — many are descendants of those who once served the royal family when the palace functioned as a regal residence. As TripAdvisor noted, “The tranquil setting and storied charm make this one of India’s most iconic stays.”
India’s presence on the global travel stage continues to grow. Alongside Taj Lake Palace’s recognition, Raffles Jaipur and the Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort in Madhya Pradesh were both recently featured on TIME Magazine’s list of the World’s Greatest Places for 2025. Year after year, Indian hotels are making their mark, praised for their ability to merge tradition with luxury, and heritage with hospitality.
Here’s the full list of TripAdvisor’s top 10 ‘One of a Kind’ hotels worldwide:
Taj Lake Palace, India
Ashford Castle, Ireland
Bambu Indah Resort, Indonesia
Fingal, Scotland
Giraffe Manor, Kenya
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Thailand
Nayara Bocas Del Toro – All Inclusive, Panama
Valley Views Glamping, New Zealand
Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, Italy
Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve, South Africa
From lakeside palaces to jungle retreats and cliffside castles, these extraordinary stays redefine what it means to travel — offering not just a room, but a story to remember.