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

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]