How to travel India like royalty

How to travel India like royalty

As India welcomes the British royals, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, we take a look at the country’s former and current royal residences.

Based in India’s royal heartland, Rajasthan, travellers can experience their own accommodation befitting a king and queen.

Insider Journeys, which operates an eight day Rajasthan’s Hidden Heritage and Lake Palace Experience, rounds up the top six ‘royal palace’ stays in Rajasthan for sampling a lifestyle of opulence:

  1. Taj Lake Palace: Built for the Udaipur royal Family in 1746, this gleaming white castle seems to float on Lake Pichola in Udaipur. With opulent guestrooms, ornate courtyard gardens and breathtaking views, it has gained a reputation as the most romantic hotel in the world.

Taj Lake Palace rooftop lake view, Udaipur

  1. Shahpura Bagh: Originally the summer residence of local royal family, the equivalent of a duke or earl, this heritage gem hidden amongst lush greenery on a historic estate. An ideal midway stop between Jaipur and Udaipur, it’s an unhurried oasis amid neighbouring forts, legends and landscapes of safari and wetlands.
Shahpura Bagh pool, Shahpura

Shahpura Bagh pool, Shahpura

  1. Nimaj Palace: One of the oldest heritage hotels in India, the Nimaj Palace relives a medieval period with rich furnishings in this modest palace. Beyond the towering gates of the distinctive red sandstone, guests past the traditional Dalwans (country kin’s sitouts) to the glamorous courtyard and the warm ambiance of the palace.
Nimaj Palace, Nimaj

Nimaj Palace, Nimaj

  1. Rambagh Palace: Once the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, this opulently-restored palace built 1835 sits amongst 47 landscaped acres and is extravagantly decorated with intricate marble latticework, balustrades, cupolas and cenotaphs.
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur

Rambagh Palace, Jaipur

  1. Umaid Bhawan Palace: One of the grandest palace hotels in India, the Jodhpur royal family still live in the palace, making this the sixth largest private residence in the world. Overlooking the blue city of Jodhpur, the palace includes a family museum, lush gardens and a subterranean pool.
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

  1. Samode Palace: The intricate palace at Samode is nearly 500 years old, an excellent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The rooftop infinity pool looks out over the lush Aravali hills. Elegant rooms are luxuriously decorated with four-poster beds and carved couches with a traditional flower motif throughout.
Samode Palace, Samode

Samode Palace, Samode

 

Latest News