As UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee gathers this month to consider new inscriptions to the list of the world’s most significant and historic landmarks, India stands apart as one of the world’s richest destinations for cultural travel. Home to one of the largest collections of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any country, India offers millennia of human history, from intricately carved temple complexes and Mughal masterpieces to magnificent royal forts and historic cities.
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts invites travellers to experience four of India’s most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites through its collection of exceptional hotels, each offering not only unrivalled access, but a deeper connection to the country’s architectural, artistic, and cultural legacy.
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments
Stay at: The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace, Khajuraho
Best known around the world for their celebrated “maithuna (loving) carvings, the UNESCO-listed Khajuraho Group of Monuments are among India’s greatest masterpieces of medieval art. Built by the Chandela dynasty between approximately 950 and 1050 CE, the extraordinary complex once comprised around 85 temples, of which 23 survive today. Their intricate sandstone carvings depict gods, celestial beings, musicians, dancers and scenes of everyday life, representing one of the finest surviving examples of medieval Hindu and Jain temple architecture.
Located just 30 minutes’ drive from the temples, The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace continues a story of historic preservation. Opened in late 2025 following the meticulous restoration of a 350-year-old Bundela palace by more than 1,000 local artisans, The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace honours the architectural legacy of the Bundela dynasty while introducing contemporary luxury with sensitivity and respect. Originally built by Maharaja Hindu Pat, the hotel overlooks the Vindhyachal mountain ranges and offers an elegant base from which to discover one of India’s most extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while also providing easy access to nearby Panna National Park for all safari and nature lovers searching to see the elusive Bengal tiger.
Amber Fort and Jaipur’s Walled City
Stay at: The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur
Rising above the tranquil waters of Maota Lake, the magnificent Amber Fort is one of the six Hill Forts of Rajasthan recognised collectively as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed primarily during the late sixteenth century under Raja Man Singh I, the fort is celebrated for its imposing ramparts, ornate courtyards, dazzling mirror work and sweeping views across the Aravalli Hills. Just beyond, Jaipur’s historic Walled City earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2019 in recognition of its exceptional eighteenth-century urban planning, vibrant markets and enduring traditions of craftsmanship.
Set within 32 acres of landscaped gardens, reflection pools and flowering courtyards, The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur provides an immersive gateway to Rajasthan’s royal heritage. Inspired by the region’s palaces and forts, the resort showcases traditional stone carving, hand-painted murals, intricate mirror work and elegant jali screens, while its recently introduced Luxury Tents with Private Pools reinterpret the grandeur of Rajasthan’s historic royal encampments for the modern traveller. From here, guests can explore the majesty of Amber Fort before returning to one of India’s most celebrated luxury resorts.
The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
Stay at:The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
Few monuments capture the imagination quite like the Taj Mahal. Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the white marble masterpiece took around two decades to complete and is widely regarded as one of the finest achievements of Indo-Islamic architecture. Just a short distance away stands Agra Fort, the vast red sandstone citadel that served as the principal residence of the Mughal emperors and played a pivotal role in shaping India’s imperial history. Both monuments were among India’s first UNESCO World Heritage Sites to be inscribed in 1983.
The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra enjoys one of the world’s most remarkable hotel settings, located just 600 metres from the Taj Mahal. Every room, suite, restaurant and bar offers uninterrupted views of the iconic monument, allowing guests to admire its changing colours from sunrise through to sunset. Drawing inspiration from Mughal architecture, the hotel features elaborate gardens, reflection pools, marble inlay, intricate jaali screens and handcrafted interiors that echo the artistic traditions found within the UNESCO-listed monuments themselves.
Humayun’s Tomb
Stay at:The Oberoi, New Delhi
Completed in 1572 by Empress Bega Begum in memory of the Mughal Emperor Humayun, Humayun’s Tomb transformed the course of Indian architecture. As the first great garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent, its elegant Persian-inspired charbagh gardens and harmonious proportions established a blueprint that would later culminate in the design of the Taj Mahal. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site remains one of Delhi’s most significant architectural landmarks.
The Oberoi, New Delhi enjoys an enviable position overlooking Humayun’s Tomb on one side. The award-winning hotel remains one of the capital’s most refined addresses, combining contemporary elegance with views of one of India’s greatest Mughal monuments. Guests can admire the UNESCO-listed tomb from the rooftop before exploring the vibrant cultural heart of India’s capital.
Whether tracing the artistic brilliance of medieval temple builders, exploring the grandeur of Rajasthan’s royal forts, witnessing the enduring romance of the Taj Mahal or discovering the architectural innovations that shaped the Mughal Empire, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts offers travellers an extraordinary opportunity to experience India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites through a collection of hotels that celebrate the country’s rich history, craftsmanship and enduring cultural legacy.
Exotic Vacations by Oberoi Bespoke Curated Itinerary:
Guests of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts can experience an itinerary curated by the Oberoi Exotic Vacations team to experience the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Khajuraho, Jaipur, Agra and New Delhi. Price upon request via Oberoi’s Exotic Vacations team which creates personalised itineraries across India that encompass India’s most iconic sights and wonders combined with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts renowned signature heartfelt hospitality.
