Fodor's Expert Review Taj Lake Palace

This ultraexclusive 250-year-old white-marble palace—location for the James Bond film Octopussy—floats like a vision in the middle of Lake Pichola, and you arrive, of course, by boat. A stay here is one of those do-before-you-die experiences—a blue lake, views of fairy-tale havelis, serenity, beauty, and majesty will be hallmarks of your stay. It is easily one of the most romantic hotels in the world. Rooms range from standard (contemporary but elegant) to opulent suites with private butlers and lake-facing Jacuzzis; most have lake views while others overlook the lily pond or courtyard, the scene of nightly folk dances. Romantic boat trips include onboard spa treatments, and there's a lakeside veranda where you can sip martinis, James Bond–style—but there's a catch. You must be a guest at the hotel to indulge in any of these luxuries.