India is the world's second most populous nation, and with all those people is bound to come some beautiful, extravagant and perfectly executed businesses. Some of these are in information technology, an area where India is rapidly establishing itself as a market leader. Some of these are in outsourced customer service -well-trained staff and minimal accents are giving these call centers a newfound reputation for excellence.

One of the newest ways in which India is establishing itself as a global market leader is in its luxury hotels and resorts -some of the best in Asia, which you can often stay at for a fraction of the price of the same luxury in Europe or America.

The Oberoi Group led the way for India in creating a reputation for the best luxury Asian holidays. The company was established in 1934, and now manages 33 different hotels and luxury cruise liners in India and four other countries. It has been noted that prior to the last decade, many of the best hotels India had to offer had unpolished service staff, second or even third rate amenities like towels, and a characteristic musty smell -a legacy of the cities in which they are found.

The Oberoi group has concentrated their efforts on building and acquiring new luxury hotels in India over the last decade, and the result has been a surge in the market generally, led by this one pioneering company. They now offer spas, leisure hotels, business focused hotels, cruises, and beautiful surrounds and elegant perfection of service at all of their locations.

The Taj Hotel group is another chain of hotels making a name for themselves as purveyors of perfection in Indian accommodation and luxury hotels. They own Umaid Bhawan Palace, a hotel where you can stay in the same building as the royal family of Jodhpur. Many celebrities also take advantage of this fact, including Kate Winslet, Arun Nayar, Kate Moss, Elizabeth Hurley and Elton John. The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel in Mumbai was one of the very few luxury hotels in India prior to the last decade -built more than a hundred years ago. They now have 57 hotels in 40 locations across India, and are growing rapidly.

You'll also now find gems of luxury hotels in India such as the Shangri-La New Delhi resort. The Shangri-La brand has made an impression on the world's psyche as a major player in the Asian luxury hotel market, and the New Delhi Shangri-La lives up to expectations. Shangri-La splits their focus effectively between business and leisure travelers, recognizing that executive guests crave luxury just as leisure guests do.

One of the factors in the rise of the luxury hotel in India has been the global marketplace -most of the guests at these extravagant resorts are international travelers, taking advantage of the fact that the exchange rates with their own currencies often provides them better facilities than they could experience at home for the same price.

Rajasthan and Mumbai are the places you will likely be looking at if you want to take a luxury rest in India. These forward thinking cities, with their high population concentrations, have the potential, human traffic and resources for creating more luxurious facilities. There is plenty to do and see around Rajasthan and Mumbai, which adds to the attraction of the areas for affluent travelers.

A little research will quickly uncover why India is fast becoming known for more than tandoori chicken - and how you can make a holiday in India one of luxury and opulence.