Royal - To Live Like Kings

Originally the royal residence of Nizam Mehboob Ali Khan, this private palace sprawls regally across 32 acres of land. After ten years of meticulous restoration, this architectural jewel now plays host to the luxury traveller.

The Palace is situated in a serene expanse of gardens in the city of Hyderabad, and is approximately a 20 minute drive from the airport, and 45 minutes from the new city.

As befitting a palace, this grand structure houses two restaurants: an all-day dining Mediterranean restaurant, and a specialty Indian restaurant. The Gol Bungalow serves cocktails and spirits. Guests may also experience all the trappings of royalty, with elaborate dining experiences arranged by the Palace on the Jade Terrace and Shahi Dastarkhan. The Jiva Grande Spa offers a wide range of soothing therapies. An outdoor pool is set in the lush, beautifully landscaped gardens. Other facilities include Meeting Rooms, a Board Room, a Durbar Hall, a Hookah Room, a library housing rare books, a Billiards Room and the world’s largest dining table, seating 101 people, at The 101 Dining Hall.

The Palace houses a total of 60 exquisitely decorated rooms. These include 32 Luxury Rooms, 14 Palace Rooms, three Historical Suites, seven Royal Suites, three Grand Royal Suites and a Grand Presidential Suite.

Designed by renowned Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester, the palace is a stunning blend of eastern and western architecture. The lavish interiors offer as lush, rich and exotic an ambience as you could hope to be surrounded by.

Perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace was once one of the largest residences in the world, with its 26 acres of lush gardens and 347 royal rooms.

Umaid Bhawan Palace houses a Jiva Grande Spa, the Jawaharat Boutique, royal wellness therapies and a spectacular swimming pool. There are several excellent restaurants; these include Risala, which offers a ‘fusion’ menu of Continental and Indian specialties and a selection of fine wines. The charming coffee shop, The Pillars, offers a spectacular view of the gardens, the city, and the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort. The Trophy Bar serves cocktails, spirits, wines, beers and other beverages. Spend your evenings at the Palace Museum and Library, riding among the sand dunes, or playing tennis and croquet on the lawn.

The Maharani Suite includes spacious drawing and dining rooms, a balcony with a spectacular view, a dressing room, and a bath carved out of a single piece of pink Italian marble. The Maharaja Suite exudes an earthy, masculine ambience, with murals of leopards, tigers and horses, faux leopard skin sofas and a secret bar in the drawing room. The hotel’s Regal Suites, designed in Art Deco style, were once reserved for visiting royalty. The Deluxe Rooms sport Art Deco interiors and are equipped with every modern convenience.

So reminiscent is this former royal residence of ancient Rajputana majesty that the absence of moustachioed rajas comes as a surprise. ‘The Jewel of Jaipur’ as it is fondly called, offers guests modern amenities and an ambience that doesn’t stray from its rich history.

Located at the heart of the Pink City, The Rambagh Palace is 11 kms away from the airport.

FEATURES

The hotel offers distinctive dining experiences, be it at the grand Suvarna Mahal, the casual Rajput Room, the alfresco Veranda, Steam – the lounge bar on wheels, or The Polo Bar which celebrates the princely equestrian sport. But for a truly memorable dinner, the Royal Butlers will craft a dining experience at select locations within the hotel. Other facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, arranged shopping and sightseeing excursions, historical tours of the palace and transport to and from the airport in a vintage car.

The accommodation facilities comprise 41 Palace Rooms, 42 Historical Suites, five each of Luxury Rooms and Royal Suites, two Grand Royal Suites and two Grand Presidential Suites. Each room is aesthetically restored with rich fabrics and warm Rajasthani hues evoking the Rajputana era.

Reminiscent of Agra’s magnificent Taj Mahal, the 250-year old Lake Palace is placed at the middle of the serene Lake Pichola, seemingly afloat. A boat takes its guests to its entrance and into a different era.

The Lake Palace is located at the centre of Lake Pichola’s still waters.

FEATURES

The ambience and views offered by the hotel’s restaurants are just as delightful as their culinary offerings - the rooftop Bhairo, the lakeside Jharokha, Neel Kamal that overlooks the lily pond and Amrit Sagar, the stylish bar that offers everything from your favourite drink to sheeshas. The Royal Butlers can set an impeccable table wherever you fancy, on a pontoon at the centre of the lake or at the candle-studded courtyard. Heritage Champagne Walks at the Palace make for an enjoyable diversion, an equally pleasant experience is a session at Jiva Spa or a dip in the outdoor pool.

The palace’s luxurious accommodations comprise 83 rooms — Luxury Rooms, Palace Rooms and Suites. Each room is magnificently adorned with intricate murals, ornately carved furniture and opulent silks; the suites in particular give you a glimpse of the lifestyle of Rajasthan’s ancient rulers.