Heritage hotels, rich in history and dipped in royalty, allow you to seep in the legacy of their locales while offering uber luxury lodgings and royal cuisines
The Raj Palace Jaipur, India
The nearly-three-century-old hotel offers a glimpse into Rajasthan’s royal customs. Originally built in 1727 by the descendants of Thakur Mohan Singh, the ruler of Chomu, the palace that houses The Raj Palace hotel was renovated in 1997. Over 800 workers revamped its arched corridors, residential quarters and courtyards under the supervision of Princess Jayendra Kumari, the present owner and a descendant of Thakur Mohan Singh.
No two rooms in The Raj Palace are alike. Its 50 rooms and suites overlook the pool, the garden or the courtyard. The palatial suites come well-equipped. Take the presidential suite for instance: Aptly called the Maharajah’s Pavilion, the 16,000 square-feet suite is spread over four floors with a private lounge, a separate dining area, a rooftop jacuzzi with panoramic views of Jaipur as well as 24-hour butler service. Depending on the season, the suite could set you back by ₹26 lakh to ₹48 lakh a night.
There is also the Shahi Mahal Suite, which is closed for renovation till January 2018. Other rooms like the Heritage Room are available for upwards of ₹25,000 a night. Here you can spend your days picnicking like the Maharajahs of Chomu did or just soak in what the restaurants, serving Indian to European cuisine, have to offer.
One can even have high tea at its Royal Lounge. And the Shikarbadi Bar is available for an evening tipple. The hotel has won many awards and features on several top luxury hotels worldwide lists.
(This story appears in the 13 October, 2017 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)