10 of the best palace hotels in India

07.11.2024 - 14:45 / lonelyplanet.com

Nov 6, 2024 • 7 min read

There’s living like royalty, and then there’s living like Indian royalty. Enter through arched doorways showered by velvety rose petals while folk musicians serenade you, and amble through manicured lawns as horses are led for their morning feed from the nearby stables.

While India ceased to recognize its many princely states over 50 years ago, across the country these families firmly hold on to their opulent residences. In the last few decades, many have chosen to repurpose them into heritage hotels that come with glimpses of grandeur and grace from a bygone era, either run by the scions of these families or leased out to hotel chains.

Here’s our round-up of India’s most luxurious palace hotels.

Best for a taste of Rajasthani culture

In a state practically littered with palace hotels, this one stands out as the best of them all. Built as a modest palace in 1835, it was upgraded to a lavish hunting lodge and royal guesthouse for Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II (one of Jaipur’s last rulers) almost a century later, before turning into one of India’s most popular and luxurious hotels – think high ceilings, carved furniture, marble fountains, Mughal gardens and oil paintings of Rajasthan’s old rulers and court scenes. Start your day with the sound of peacock calls and end your day with dinner inside a restored steam carriage. For a more formal meal, there is the baroque-themed Suvarna Mahal restaurant, where dishes from erstwhile princely states like Hyderabad and Lucknow are served on gold-plated tableware.

Best for decadent luxury

A stay at the Taj Falaknuma Palace is your chance to fulfill every royal fantasy you may have had – from a ride on a horse-drawn carriage to breakfast service from a personal butler. This late 19th-century home of the Nizam of Hyderabad, known for his eclectic collection of artifacts from around the world, is perched on a hill offering distant views of the city. From Venetian chandeliers on the high ceilings and statues from Greek mythology on the grand marble staircase, photos of British Viceroys and Governor Generals, and a library with over 5000 rare and precious books, the hotel itself serves as a museum.

Best for heritage and history

This 18th-century sandstone fort was once the stronghold of warrior queen Ahilyabai Holkar, from where she ruled the Maheshwar kingdom between 1765 to 1796. It is now a stylish heritage hotel overlooking the River Narmada, with 19 rooms spread across six buildings connected by inner courtyards and secret gardens. Meals are served at various places within the property, including the garden and the mandap (porch) with river views. Be sure to go shopping for gossamer Maheshwari saris woven by local women at the nearby