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The Royal Treatment: India’s Best Palace Hotels
Written by Sahar Andrabi
From ancient forts in the desert to royal lakeside dwellings, bask in the grandeur of India’s best palace hotels that know how to dial up the luxury.
Experience the life of royals in the extravagant surroundings of India’s beautifully restored palaces and mansions.
Wine and dine like kings and queens, sleep in rooms that reflect the grandeur of bygone eras, indulge in exquisite once-in-a-lifetime experiences and immerse yourself in the extravagance of India’s best palace hotels.
Read on to find out how you too can live the fairy tale.
Six Senses Fort Barwara
Wellness and luxury unite at the carefully restored Six Senses Fort Barwara, once home to 14th-century Rajasthani royalty and now transformed into a sanctuary of well-being. A celebrity favourite for big weddings, the 700-year-old fort faces the hilltop Chauth ka Barwara and emanates the opulence of a bygone era through its Shekhawati art, intricate jharokas and embroidered furnishings.
Among the property’s many highlights, from romantic dining under the stars to private tiger safaris at the nearby Ranthambore National Park, the expansive signature spa is among the best. Set in the original women’s palace and both temples, the Six Senses Spa offers holistic Ayurvedic and healing treatments using indigenous essential oils, mud and clays.
Rohet Garh, Jodhpur
Standing tall on the banks of a majestic lake is the brilliant Rohet Garh. Here, strikingly beautiful architecture meets immaculate gardens and world-class hospitality. Over the years, the royal residence has played host to many noteworthy names, including travel writer Bruce Chatwin and Scottish historian William Dalrymple.
With charming interiors, exquisite experiences like royal picnics, equestrian programs and folk music, Rohet Garh leaves you feeling like you are living in a royal fairy tale. To ensure every meal is fit for kings and queens, the food here is crafted by chefs trained by the lady of the house, the late Thakurani Sahiba Jayendra Kumari herself.
Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur
Alsisar Haveli is the pride of the Alsisar Thakurs (a Rajput clan). A majestic mansion, it’s now one of the most gorgeous heritage hotels in the Pink City –Jaipur. This accessible piece of the regal world will stun you with its handsome architecture, intricate interiors, classic four-poster beds and magnificent courtyards.
Regal charm comes to life in every nook of this Rajput residence-turned-heritage-hotel. The shimmering pool is surrounded by lush trees, perfectly crafted gazebos and cenotaphs. Your dining experience will be no less than a royal feast in the beautifully styled restaurant. This is a true haveli experience.
The LaLit Grand Palace Srinagar
Cradled by the Himalayas, The LaLit Grand Palace Srinagar is a tranquil regal oasis, with views over the picturesque Dal Lake and a rich heritage. Built in 1910 as a summer home for Pratap Singh, the then Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, this sprawling heritage property blends British, Mughal, and Kashmiri influences to offer a stay steeped in the magic of the royalty.
Nestled amid landscaped chinar gardens and apple orchards, each well-appointed room, suite and cottage features sumptuous interiors with antique furnishings and ornate Kashmiri carpets. Sip on kahwa (a traditional drink of green tea, whole spices and saffron), feast on regional delicacies at the hotel’s restaurants and pamper yourself at the award-winning Rejuve – The Spa for a blissful mountain escape.
Hotel Diggi Palace, Jaipur
A reflection of India’s history, dating back 150 years, Hotel Diggi Palace is a regal cocoon of bliss. Built in 1860 by Shri Thakur Saheb Pratap Singh Ji Diggi, the original mansion was refurbished as a heritage hotel in 1991 and has been offering a culturally rich, royal experience like no other since.
Luxurious rooms are carefully adorned with designs that reflect the opulence of yesteryear, and old-world charm can be found in every artefact present, making this palatial stay truly extraordinary. The impeccable hospitality just adds to the charm of the palace.
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Perched on the banks of Lake Pichola in Rajasthan’s City of Lakes, Udaipur, this ethereal marble and sandstone jewel is almost too colossal to behold, mirroring the traditional Rajasthani palaces of the Mewari kingdom.
Guests are greeted by a shower of rose petals and the call of resident peacocks in the lush, manicured gardens as you walk in, with the grandeur of magnificent domes, arched entrances and babbling fountains shortly following. At sundown, local musicians gently pluck their ravanahaththa and sarangi instruments, candles are lit and the magic of Udaipur is on full display
Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
Taj Falaknuma Palace literally translates to ‘Mirror in the sky’, which is a true reflection of this enchanting hotel, glittering two thousand feet above Hyderabad city. Former palace of the Nizam, beautifully styled by his Turkish wife, this jewel of the Deccan steals your heart from the moment you step inside.
A horse-drawn carriage takes you to the entrance, where you are showered with rose petals as you enter the majestic building. Timeless recipes crafted to perfection grace the longest dining table in the world. The rooms are as lavish as one would expect of a royal chamber, and the view of the twinkling city below just takes your breath away. It doesn’t get more regal than this, but don’t take our word for it – book and experience it for yourself now!
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
Floating in the middle of shimmering Lake Pichola, Taj Lake Palace was the summer retreat of the Mewar Family before becoming one of India’s best palace hotels. Marble architecture inspired by the Mughals, marvellous suites with magical touches like wooden lattice ceilings, and the honour of making an appearance in the Bond film, Octopussy, all add to the magic of this Taj-owned palace.
Feel a part of the age-old tradition of the royal family as you attend grand dinners and indulge in soothing spa treatments that draw inspiration from ancient Indian healing techniques. Need we say more to entice you for a royal sojourn in this dreamy palace?
Neemrana Fort Palace, near Jaipur
A regal vacation experience near Jaipur cannot be complete without a stay at the 553-year-old medieval Neemrana Fort Palace. A 14-tiered property (yes, really), this luxe-heritage stay will blow your mind! The pride of introducing India’s first zip-line experience, manicured hanging gardens, opulent rooms and mind-blowing views come together to make this holiday the ultimate rendezvous with royalty.
A stay here will enchant you every step of the way with cultural pieces, historical glimpses, camel rides and hospitality to suit royalty. Did we mention the palace is built on the two-billion-year-old Aravalli hills?
Looking for more such extravagant inspiration? Read Sleep Like Royalty at These Extraordinary Heritage Hotels.
