Jaipur's jewel

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The pink city adds another feather to its cap.

One of the most visited cities in the country, Jaipur, the hub of tourists and Indians alike, has another winner amidst its many frills. Amongst the many lovely resorts and hotels the capital city of Rajasthan boasts of — Chokhi Dhani, Oberoi Rajvilas and Taj’s Jai Mahal Palace — this time around, it’s Rambagh Palace that has reason to cheer. This Taj property has been voted the best hotel in the world by Condé Nast Traveller in the Readers Travel Awards for 2009 across travel and industry categories, in the World Top 100.

 

What makes Rambagh Palace distinct? It is the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, known for its elegant rooms, airy verandahs, marble corridors and majestic gardens that sprawl over 47 acres of land. The 90-room resort is decorated with opulent furniture, while hand painted motifs adorn the walls. The palace was built in 1835 for the queen’s favourite handmaiden Kesar Badaran, and later refurbished as a royal guesthouse and hunting lodge. The mansion was renamed Rambagh after the then reigning Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II.

His grandson, prince Sawai Man Singh II, later converted Rambagh into the magnificent palace it is today, mingling Mughal and Rajasthani styles of architecture, aligned with neatly manicured lawns. The Maharaja with his queen Gayatri Devi lived here for many years. Later, as a luxury hotel, Rambagh played host to guests such as Lord Louis Mountbatten (who has a suite named after him) Prince Charles and Jacqueline Kennedy amongst others.

Recently, the resort claims to have added a service called ‘Palace Service Butlers’, where “knowledgeable” hosts will arrange walks through the gardens with champagne served at the Polo Bar, create dining experiences in different parts of the palace, and sign you up on vintage car drives through the city. Additional offers include lunch at a royal hunting lodge overlooking a lake or dinner at the city’s popular Hawa Mahal. But royalty never comes cheap! A room at The Rambagh Palace will cost you between Rs 40,000-5,000,00 plus taxes per night. Good money for a good time?