Trip To A Royal Past

For a taste of royal living - without an equally royal price-tag - new options are opening up in Gujarat.

Two royal heritage properties were recently transferred to a private hotel group and they promise something out of the ordinary for tourists seeking something different.

Balaram Palace, which is 165-odd km away from Ahmedabad, is majestically located amid the green, wooded hills of the Aravalli range. A stay here will take you to a bygone Nawabi era, to the time when northern Gujarat combined with the south western region of Rajasthan.

The palace was built around 1930 by Sir Talej Muhammed Khan, one of the best known scions of the Lohani Nawab dynasty. Royally renovated in recent times, the palace enjoys the rare distinction of being a heritage property.

Seventeen luxurious rooms, all with the latest amenities, a lush green garden with landscaping and fountains, a swimming pool with its own natural water source, and a health club help combine modern necessities with regal style. For those with food on their minds, the restaurant can dish out both typical Gujarati cuisine and Chinese delicacies.

Among the hot spots one can visit from Balaram Palace are the Sun Temple of Modhera, the Ambaji Temple and the Jessor Bear sanctuary. For those who like the smells of mother earth and ethnic mudware, the nearby tribal habitations can offer a glimpse of tribal paintings and terra cotta horses. The Patola silk creations at nearby shops may catch the fancy of womenfolk.

Another royal retreat is the quaint Old Bell Guest House, some 135 km away from Ahmedabad at Sayla in Surendranagar district. The guest house, named after the political agent of the British Crown who inaugurated it in 1890, was originally intended to house special guests of the state of Sayla.

Colonial in style, it is set majestically amidst 24 acres of unspoilt beauty. Even today, its stately rooms echo with memories of a century-and-a-half of history. It has been painstakingly restored to some of its ancient splendor, giving the place a feel of mystic romanticism amidst the backdrop of a serene natural environment.

The property presently has 10 luxurious rooms, inclusive of two Royal Rooms, with all the rooms being equipped with the latest amenities. For sports lovers, there are outdoor and indoor games facilities, including a vintage tennis court, a cricket pitch for net practice and a unique outdoor Chess Chowk.

It is located far from the madding crowds, but is still just a stone