Kamalapura Palace Hotel
Hampi, India
How to get to Evolve Back Hampi
The nearest airport to Hampi is Vidyanagar, just 30 km away (a 50-minute drive).
Another option is Hubli airport, located 180 km from Evolve Back Hampi (about 3 hours 30 minutes by car). Alternatively, you can fly into Bangalore airport, 368 km away (around 5 and a half hours by car).
When to visit
The best time to visit Hampi is between October and February, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant — ideal for exploring the ruins and temples. During the summer months, from March to May, the heat is intense. Keep in mind that from June to September is monsoon season and rain is likely.
The essence of the resort
Evolve Back Hampi is a luxury resort located in the heart of Hampi, India. Surrounded by the majestic landscapes of Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this resort is ideal for those seeking an exclusive stay filled with comfort, elegance and serenity. It offers an experience where contemporary luxury merges with the rich history and culture of ancient India.
It takes you on a journey through time without sacrificing modern comforts, with a construction and design that reflect the splendor of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Room types
NIVASA
A space where elegance and comfort combine to offer a unique experience. It includes a small in-room plunge pool with water jets and a private balcony.
NILAYA
A perfect blend of historic elegance and modern luxury, the Nilaya terrace suite offers more space than Nivasa to make our stay even more enjoyable.
ZENANA
The Zenana suite features a dining area and a bedroom. It also includes a small indoor plunge pool with water jets and a private balcony.
JAL MAHAL
The most luxurious option within Evolve Back Hampi. With a terrace and private pool, it’s ideal for families or couples celebrating a special occasion.
Our room
During our visit we stayed in a Nilaya suite. Everything in our suite reflected an atmosphere of elegance and good taste.
The suite is spectacular, and the indoor plunge pool with its water jets was a true haven of relaxation. When we preferred the outdoors, we had a private terrace with a lawn, perfect for sunbathing in complete privacy.
We also had direct access to the communal pool, which was absolutely beautiful — surrounded by a well-kept and charming landscape.
Our experience in the Nilaya suite was unforgettable. We were taken by the space, the privacy and the luxurious details that made every moment feel special.
Resort Facilities
Enjoy private villas, luxury pools and local dining experiences at top restaurants — all within a building and design that reflect the splendor of the Vijayanagara Empire. Luxury at its finest.
Infinity Pool
The infinity pool is one of the spots where you really feel where you are. The architecture takes its cue from Hampi’s ancient temples, and combined with white sun loungers and the surrounding greenery, it works. A good place to sit, read, and let the day go by.
Ayurvedic Spa
The Ayurvedic Spa uses techniques rooted in traditional Indian medicine. Each treatment follows a clear ritual designed to balance body and mind, with essential oils and ancestral methods. The therapists know what they are doing, and the setting plays its part: quiet, dimly lit, and exactly what you want after a day of walking around the ruins of Hampi.
Deep Mahal — Reading Room
Deep Mahal is the reading corner of Kamalapura Palace. Comfortable chairs, a small but well-curated selection of books, and natural light. We sat there with a coffee for longer than expected on two different afternoons.
Gym & games room
The gym at Evolve Back offers relaxing views of the communal pool, creating an ideal setting for exercise and rejuvenation, whether at the start or end of the day. Right next door, the Games Room provides entertainment for all ages, with traditional Indian games and modern options like billiards and table tennis. It’s the perfect space to unwind and enjoy quality time with family or friends, combining fun and culture in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
Store
The hotel shop has a small, curated selection of souvenirs and useful travel items. The kind of place where you can pick up something genuinely Indian to bring home, or grab whatever you forgot to pack.
Resort Food & Beverage
Evolve Back Hampi offers an unparalleled gastronomic experience where, as with the architecture, each dish reflects the essence of traditional Indian cuisine combined with modern creativity and sophistication.
Bukka
Bukka focuses on South Indian cuisine. The chefs work with traditional recipes, with a few contemporary twists, and the flavours are the main event: spices, aromas, and dishes you remember the next day. From rich curries to small, tasty snacks, the menu is built for diners who actually want to taste India, not a softened version of it.
Tuluva Multi-Cuisine Restaurant
The Tuluva Restaurant at Evolve Back Hampi offers an exceptional dining experience that blends flavors from around the world with traditional Indian dishes. Its elegant and inviting atmosphere is perfect for a relaxed meal. Each dish is a fusion of fresh local ingredients and modern culinary techniques, delivering explosions of flavor and texture. Whether you are looking for an intimate dinner or a family feast, Tuluva is ideal for enjoying exquisite food with impeccable service in a refined setting.
Resort Activities
Evolve Back Hampi organises a range of activities that connect you with the history, nature and culture of the region. In our opinion Hampi is one of the most underrated regions in India, and we strongly recommend pairing your stay at the resort with the activities they offer. The combination is what makes the trip work.
Visit Hampi with a guide
The Hampi temple tour with Evolve Back was one of the best parts of our stay. The tour starts with a ride in a luxurious 4×4 through the historic landscape of the region, which sets the tone.
Our private guide was Santosh, who has been with Evolve Back Hampi for over ten years. He gave us a detailed account of the history of the Hampi temples (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and shared stories about the Vijayanagara civilisation, its monuments and the symbolism of each temple that you would not get in a regular guidebook.
The tour goes up close to the main ruins, from the famous Vittala Temple with its stone chariot (highly recommended) to Virupaksha Temple, one of the oldest in the country.
Candle lighting ritual
At sunset, the staff at Evolve Back Hampi lights dozens of oil lamps (diyas) across the property. It is a daily ritual, very calm, and it ends up being one of the moments of the day where you stop and look around.
The pathways glow softly, the light changes the colour of the buildings, and the silence helps. For Indian guests it is part of the tradition; for us as visitors it is one of those things you do not forget about Evolve Back Hampi.
Our Experience with Evolve Back
Hampi, India
An Unforgettable Experience
Our stay at Evolve Back Hampi was, to be honest, one of the best hotel experiences we have had in India. From arrival to checkout, the hospitality is at a very high level and you feel it constantly.
The property is surrounded by the natural beauty of Hampi and the views are striking. They take you straight into India’s past, full of history and a certain mysticism.
The Nilaya suite we stayed in was spacious and elegantly decorated, with all modern amenities. We loved the private pool and terrace, especially at sunset.
The hotel restaurants, Tuluva and Bukka, gave us an authentic culinary journey: local dishes, global influences brought to a Karnataka kitchen. Every meal was prepared with fresh ingredients and presented well. We even got to chat with the chef.
One of our favourite moments was dinner in a private rooftop room with panoramic views of Hampi’s natural beauty. The candlelit setting and the attention from the staff made it feel like a special occasion without being staged.
The activities on offer matched the standard of the hotel. The Spa is a quiet space where you can let yourself be looked after with traditional Indian massage techniques. We also did the Nature Tour near the hotel and got to see the local flora and fauna. The clear highlight, though, was the guided tour of the temples of Hampi: the expert guide and the comfortable 4×4 made it the strongest activity of the stay.
A specific note on the staff. The team at Evolve Back Hampi is probably the kindest we have come across in any hotel in India. Vipin (the General Manager), Bablu, Aneesh and Ranuka made our stay quietly special by paying attention to the small details.
Evolve Back Hampi is a strong recommendation if you are looking for a luxury stay with a touch of history and culture. It puts together luxury, history and nature in one place. Nowhere else we have visited in India offers all of this in the same way.
We are leaving the hotel details below in case you want to experience it yourself:
