The best palace hotels in India

From boat hotels to hotels in heritage buildings and even hotels created around fictional tribes like what you’ll find at Keemala, we love us a unique place to stay. And what could be more enticing than a palace? An ancient land of kings and queens, India is immensely proud of its rich history and diversity. A country that manages to walk the thin line between the past and the future, it’s one of the world’s most exotic travel destinations, and a holiday here is never without surprises or incredible adventures. For travellers who wish to experience the nation’s larger-than-life past, a stay in the best palace hotels of India is a must.

The best palace hotels in India

1. Rajmahal Palace RAAS | Jaipur

Blindly throw a stone anywhere in the princely state of Rajasthan, and you’ll hit a royal residence. However, Rajmahal Palace, in the heart of Jaipur, the Pink City, is an intimate escape that stands out for its unconventionality, making it one of the best palace hotels in India.

Built-in 1729, it’s a gorgeous retreat still owned by the royal family. The palace’s muted pink façade is humble and often underrated. Its interiors, in complete contrast, feature an assortment of bright and vivid wallpapers that leave guests in a colourful, dreamlike state for the entirety of their stay. The 14 rooms here, named after famous palace guests, have distinct characteristics, promising modern-day conveniences amidst elegant designer furnishings. The hotel’s in-house restaurant, 51 Shades of Pink, carries forth its quirkiness, inviting guests to dine in an animated pink room that challenges the senses while creating a cheerful ambience.

Unsurprisingly, you’ll also find Rajmahal Palace on our list of the best pink hotels across the globe too.

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2. Oberoi Grand Kolkata | Kolkata

The 19th-century neoclassical building of the Oberoi Grand occupies an entire block in Chowrangee, Kolkata’s most iconic address. Initially the home of Colonel Grand and then a boarding house, the present-day hotel is a stylish abode with a firm finger on the city’s traditional ethos. The highpoint of any stay at Oberoi Grand is savouring delectable preparations at ThreeSixtyThree°, famous for plating Indian, Japanese, Asian, and European cuisine. A refreshing dip in the centrally located swimming pool is a close second.

Guestrooms at this impressive hotel amalgamate the classic with the innovative. Miniature paintings, ottomans, and colonial-style furniture seamlessly merge with comfort-providing amenities. Backed by exemplary service that is now an Oberoi hotel trademark, a stay here further alleviates the experience of exploring the “City of Joy.”

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3. Taj Falaknuma Palace | Hyderabad

Built during the 1890s, Falaknuma Palace is an idyllic location to enjoy memorable sunsets. Taking inspiration from The White House and Buckingham Palace, the Nizam of Hyderabad’s former residence overlooks the city from a 2000-ft-high vantage point atop a hill. Spread over 32 acres, it’s home to a 108-feet-long dining table that seats 101 guests. Royalty radiates from every nook and corner of what is presently one of the best palace hotels in India. Interestingly, rather than displaying royal artefacts such as the Nizam’s desk and an ivory snooker table as museum pieces, the staff encourages guests to involve themselves in the palace’s culture by touching and using these ancient treasures.

Every regal stay at the hotel begins with a ride in a horse-drawn carriage followed by a rose-petal welcome. The palace rooms epitomise indulgence with four-poster or canopy beds, rain showers, hand-painted wall motifs, and every possible modern-day amenity one can imagine. The suites come with balconies promising panoramic views, whereas the Nizam Suite has a private pool.

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4. ITC Grand Chola | Chennai

While not exactly a royal abode, ITC Grand Chola is a mammoth palatial hotel located in Chennai with an impressive 522 rooms, 78 service apartments, and ten dining options. Influenced by the ancient kingdom of the Cholas, the hotel’s aesthetics and design elements exemplify majestic grandeur. Inside, Dravidian pillars, striking motifs, carvings, large open spaces, and subtle yet luxurious colour tones remind visitors of the temples built during the Chola period.

The tradition of the hotel extends into the guest bedrooms, where the use of wood, fine linen, carpeting, mood lighting, comfortable beds, and en-suite bathrooms create spaces that quickly become a home away from home. Adding a unique and contemporary component to these exclusive abodes is the possibility to control most of the room features with an iPad.

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5. Tijara Fort Palace | Rajasthan

Maharaja Balwant Singh of Alwar started building Tijara Fort in 1835. Unfortunately, his death in 1845 resulted in the abandonment of the palace mid-construction. In ruins for over 150 years, the fort opened its majestic doors as a heritage hotel in 2016. Although never an imperial residence, it became a blank canvas for artists in its new avatar, with famous painters individually designing different rooms.

Perched on top of a hillock, the hotel celebrates the region’s antiquity, highlighting the original Afghan-Indo architecture with an unmissable elephant theme. Among other noteworthy buildings in the complex are the Mardana Mahal – the King’s work area; Rani Mahal – the queen’s palace; Qawa Mahal – a separate site for cultural activities; Pataal Kund – a rather large swimming pool; and the Hanging Gardens. Antique furniture adds nostalgia to the guest rooms that have air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms but no televisions. Evenings at Tijara are a time for guests to mingle over cultural performances and buffet dinner at the retreat’s only restaurant.

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