The Maharajas in India have left a royal legacy with their palaces and havelis still holding onto their glory. At present, the erstwhile residences of the royal families in various states of India serve as luxury & boutique hotels and offer tourists a chance to live king size and experience the rich culture, tradition & timeless history.
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
The Rambagh Palace at Jaipur exudes history and royalty that lies embedded here. It’s an architectural masterpiece that transcends time. This royal retreat was built way back in 1835 by the queen of Jaipur and was later modified to be a guesthouse and hunting lodge. The ‘Jewel of Jaipur’ as it’s fondly called, remained the home of the Jaipur royal family until 1957, when it was first converted into a luxury hotel by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. But it wasn’t until 1972 that Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces took over the reins. It is now the ‘jewel in the crown’ among the authentic palaces of the Taj in India.
Spread across 47 acres of verdant gardens, this heritage hotel has blossomed into one of the finest experiences any hotel can offer. With marble corridors, tastefully appointed rooms and history echoing in its corridors, Rambagh Palace gives true experience of royal living. The accommodation includes luxury rooms, royal suites, historical suites, grand royal suites and the grand presidential suite. Besides the over 100 regal rooms the palace comprises of wide and terrific terraces, spacious and spectacular corridors and beautiful banquet rooms.
DeviGarh, Udaipur
Hotel DeviGarh is an 18th century luxury heritage hotel situated in the Aravali hills of Udaipur. The DeviGarh palace was built in the 1760s and after the restoration work, the palace was converted into a heritage hotel in 1960. One of the most outstanding features of DeviGarh is its landscape design done in a modern and contemporary manner. The raw materials used are all local, with white marble utilized extensively throughout the palace. The museum in the premises of the hotel is a must visit. Here you can get a chance to admire royal costumes and other artifacts which will transport you back in history.
DeviGarh offers a total of 39 lavishly appointed suites; each one is uniquely designed with a different theme. Each suite is embellished with marble and semi-precious stones, while the public spaces are designed around different metals.
Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jodhpur
Perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhavan Palace is the last of the great palaces of India and one of the largest residences in the world – set amidst 26 acres of lush gardens. The Palace hotel subtly blends Rajput and Victorian architecture. Over three thousand artisans from the region worked every day for thirteen years to transform the British architect, H.V. Lanchester's master plan into this magnificent marble and sandstone edifice. Its majestic 105-foot high cupola is influenced by the Renaissance, while the towers draw inspiration from Rajput tradition. Another special feature of the palace is the use of a special type of sandstone, called Chittar sandstone.
Lush lawns and courtyards, picturesque ceilings, marble corridors, treasure troves, hunting trophies of yesteryears and exquisite royal heirlooms complete the regal picture. The Umaid Bhavan is so extravagant and so regal that it remains the private home of the present Maharaja and his family. This palace was converted into a heritage hotel in 1977. The palace is now segmented into the royal residence, the Heritage Hotel and the museum. A choice of 94 rooms and suites is available. Each room is appointed with the furniture originally created for the Palace.
Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
Located two thousand feet above the city, the Taj Falaknuma Palace has been recently opened after ten years of restoration and is without question Hyderabad's premier hotel. The beautifully restored Palace, formerly the residence of Nizam Mehboob Ali Khan, offers an insight to the lifestyle of the Nizam family who governed the city for many generations. The Palace was designed in western architecture by the Italian architect William Ward Marret. This regal palace reflects a rare blend of Tudor and Italian architecture and was built entirely from Italian marble. It has the shape of a scorpion, the zodiac sign of the Nizam. The ornate inlaid furniture, fine Jade collection, rich French tapestries and intricate frescos give the palace a distinctive Baroque style. The first phase of renovation preserves the inherent history of the palace with a magnificent 101-seat dining room and the original Nizam suite. The heritage hotel also retains its original Japanese, Rajasthani and Mughal gardens created by the Nizam.
The hotel offers 60 different ways to feel like royalty with its 60 breathtakingly luxurious guestrooms and suites on the offer. Accommodation includes - Luxury Rooms, Palace Rooms, Historical Suites, Royal Suites, Grand Royal Suites and Grand Presidential Suites.
Brunton Boatyard, Kochi
Housed on the site of a 19th century Victorian shipyard belonging to George Brunton & Sons, the Brunton Boatyard hotel was created maintaining its colonial architecture. In the heart of Fort Kochi, its spacious dwellings overlook the sea with the port on one side and boats passing by across. The Brunton Boatyard brings back to life this intriguing era with photographs, antiques and artifacts all housed within a caringly resurrected 19th century Victorian shipyard. Walls are adorned with priceless old porcelain and artifacts, old photographs depicting the original Brunton shipyard, and portraits of the Portuguese sea fearer Vasco da Gama to Kerala’s Maharajas all of whom influenced Kochi’s history.
Each room has its own balcony from which guests can enjoy views of the fishing boats and ferries that cruise between the islands. All 22 air conditioned rooms and suites are tastefully furnished retaining the old world charm with large antique four poster beds, almairahs, and writing desk. The en-suite bathrooms are wonderfully laid out where you can soak in the bathtub and enjoy panoramic views of Cochin harbour.
Mayfair Resort, Darjeeling
Perched at an altitude of 7000 ft Mayfair Resort, Darjeeling is an old heritage charm. Once the summerhouse of the former Maharaja of Nazargunj, it now stands as a hill resort. Surrounded by fir and pine trees & exotic flowers of different colors and hues, Mayfair Resort serves as a haven from the maddening crowd. What’s exceptional about Mayfair is the library here referred as the Tenzing Room which stocks the achievements of the legend Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.
For accommodation the Resort has 44 tastefully appointed rooms (Heritage and Deluxe) each offering breathtaking view of valley and garden. Equipped with modern amenities, each room is unique that transports you back to the British colonial era.
The two in-house restaurants named Magnolia and Tiffany serve delicious Indian, Continental and Oriental cuisine. The Douglas lounge bar is an idyllic setting to unwind after a long day. What makes this place more special is that Mayfair has showcased a collection of original works from this great artist. Choose from fine selection of spirits, wines and tobacco, along with an assortment of hors d’oeuvres which allows you to refresh while enjoying the exceptionally beautiful sunset over the distant mountains.
About Odyssey Travels
Odyssey Travels is a leading IATA accredited Travel Company, established in 1992. We specialize in planning customized holidays in India and abroad for our clients which includes air ticketing, worldwide hotel reservations, inclusive tours, sightseeing activities, visa assistance & travel insurance services. For further information or to make a booking contact 020-66442929 or visit http://www.odysseytravels.net/