Boy, have we waited a long time for a place like this to open its doors in Agra. Claiming to be the city’s first and only boutique hotel, this 13-room gem is discreetly hidden in an unassuming residential neighborhood within walking distance of the Taj Mahal. Owners Udit, Vasu and Abid created it as an ode to the city they love, incorporating Agra's character and flavour within its walls. The result is a comfortable base with the warmest of welcomes, plus top-notch service and fantastic homecooked food.
Agra can be a hard nut to crack. Most tourists dip in and out to see its star attraction before scooting off somewhere else, but they’re missing a trick. Dig deeper and you’ll discover that the city’s culture is shaped not just by its architecture but its history, handicrafts and food too, so take time to linger. India and all its complicated splendour are here to view. And the staff are here to guide you. They are passionate about helping guests peel back the layers to reveal a side to Agra beyond the postcard views. Join bespoke tours to hidden pockets of the city you won’t find in the guidebooks, or unearth foodie treasures that only the locals know of. You might come to Ekaa Villa in search of the Taj but you'll leave remembering the outstanding hospitality.
Ekaa Villa
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Highs
- A boutique hotel within 20 minutes’ walk of the Taj Mahal – a rare find!
- Efficient staff go beyond the call of duty, brimming with helpful tips and info
- Bespoke experiences and guided tours offer the chance to discover Agra’s authentic side
- Outstanding home cooking, especially when served with their frequent live traditional music
- Rooms are extremely affordable
Lows
- The rooms are traditional in style, but there is A/C, which is a boon in the hot summer months
- Aside from the excellent restaurant, the hotel has little in the way of facilities
- The hotel is on a busy road on the edges of a residential neighbourhood
- All the food is vegetarian, but we didn't think meat eaters will feel short-changed
Best time to go
Our top tips
When visiting the Taj, avoid late morning and early afternoon – not only is the heat punishing in summer, but the tour groups arrive en masse and swamp the gardens. Go for sunrise if you can drag yourself out of bed – we did this when we visited Agra, and watching the Taj reveal itself through the early morning mist was pure magic. Note that the Taj Mahal has a functioning mosque on site and is closed every Friday for prayer.
- Boutique Hotel
- 13 rooms
- Restaurant
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
In keeping with the hotel’s ethos, the 13 rooms at Ekaa Villa a blend of authenticity and modern design. Each has its own colour scheme and showcases traditional Indian styling, with local handicrafts like pretty teapots, floral rugs and decorative plates on display. Dark polished wood features heavily, as do brightly painted walls in shades of terracotta, peach or lemon yellow. Ensuite bathrooms have showers, smart black tilework, robes and locally-made natural toiletries.
Rooms come in three categories. Queen rooms are the smallest, King Rooms are larger with space for a small sitting area, and Grand Kings (where we stayed) can fit an extra bed on request. If outdoor space is important, opt for the Grand King with Balcony. You get TVs, air conditioning and fans, a gift basket with local sweets and snacks plus some complimentary goodies in glass jars to enjoy with the tea (from Darjeeling) and coffee (from Kerala) provided to enjoy in your room.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Coffee / tea making
- Cots available
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
Foodies rejoice! Dining at Ekaa Villa is a huge highlight. It’s all vegetarian and locally sourced from within a 50km radius, with dishes based on traditional cooking and recipes passed down through generations. In the evenings, expect healthy feasts of spiced dals, pickles and rice, served in clay pots and on large plates made from leaves. We dined on generous portions of paneer and broccoli kebabs, dhal, a seasonal veg curry, with wholewheat rotis, and papaya lassis. If you’re lucky, you might get some entertainment in the form of a local sitar player.
Breakfast is included. Try the sugar-stuffed bread or local favourite Aloo-bedawain, a type of fried bread served with spicy potato curry. We ordered the Besan Cheela, a savoury crepe with tamarind and mint chutneys, which came with cakes and fresh fruit, and of course Masala Chais. Usual suspects like toast and omelettes are available. Do try the hot drinks too, perhaps a jasmine tea or a sweet and creamy lassi.
Food is taken seriously here so ask for recommendations if eating out. Agra is home to the illustrious and rich Mughlai cuisine, and the team at Ekaa's hold cookery classes to teach the classics. They'll also take you out to the bazaars, searching out the old halwais who specialise in individual dishes. Not to be missed!
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Lunch by arrangement
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- It's impossible to mention Agra without a nod to its shining star: the Taj Mahal. The absolute zenith of Mughal architecture does not disappoint. It's a serene sight that rewards those that linger, so take it in under a slow gaze. Tours are bookable via the hotel
- For a more relaxing view of the Taj, head over the Yamuna river to the Mehtab Bagh gardens. It’s a far more sedate experience and offers some fab photo opportunities of the Taj and river
- Join a walking tour of the old city, taking in bazaars and hidden ruins. A good tour guide is worth their weight in gold - they open up so many doors and make sense of the chaos
- If the city gets a bit much, head out to the Chambal River for a boat safari to spot river dolphins
- Binge on sublime Mughal architecture - Agra makes a perfect base for exploring the main sights along the Yamuna river and day trips further afield. The imposing red walls of Agra Fort (which hide far more delicate inner palaces) and nearby Akbar's mausoleum are local highlights. You'll need to jump in a taxi for an hour to reach Fatehpur Sikri, a magnificent fortified Mughal city, but it's worth the journey
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cooking classes
- Historical sites
- Private guided tours
- Traditional cultures
Kids
All ages are welcome at Ekaa Villa, but there are no facilities for children, so we'd say it's better suited to older teens who are happy to spend days out exploring the city. There are no twin rooms but extra beds can be added to the larger rooms.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Grand King and Grand King with Balcony rooms have space for one extra bed or baby cot.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Ekaa Villa is located on the edges of a residential neighbourhood in Agra, a 15-minute walk from the Taj Mahal. It's 4 hours south of Delhi.
By Air:
Delhi Indira Gandhi International is the nearest major international hub. Agra Airport (54km away) is served by domestic flights from Delhi, though many visitors transfer to Agra by road or rail (see below).
By Rail:
Agra is on the main railway line between Delhi and Mumbai. The journey time from Delhi to Agra is approximately 2 hours. Once you reach Agra railway station, take a taxi to the hotel (20 mins).
By Road:
Agra is well connected by road with Bharatpur, Mathura, Delhi and Jaipur. Regular bus services operate from all major cities, although we'd recommend hiring a driver for your visit (our Tailormade Tour Operator can arrange this for you).
Airports:
- Delhi International Airport 235.0 km DEL
Other:
- Beach 1000.0 km
- Shops 0.3 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Need flights?
We recommend Skyscanner which compares all airlines in one easy step
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests