Heritage Hotels

Definition: „Heritage Hotels‟ cover running hotels in palaces/castles/forts/havelies/hunting loges/ Residence of any size built prior to 1950. The facade, architectural features and General construction should have the distinctive qualities and ambience in keeping With the traditional way of life of the area. The architecture of the property to be considered for this category should not normally be interfered with. Any extension, improvement, renovation, change in the existing structures should be in keeping with the traditional architectural styles and constructional techniques harmonizing the new with the old. After expansion/renovation, the newly built up area added should not exceed 50% of the total built up (plinth) area including the old and new structures. For this purpose, facilities such as swimming pools, lawns etc. will be excluded. Heritage Hotels will be sub-classified in the following categories:

Heritage: This category will cover hotel in Residences/Havelies/Hunting Lodges/Castles/Forts/ Palaces built prior to 1950. The hotel should have a minimum of 5 rooms (10 beds).

Heritage Classic: This category will cover hotels in Residences/Havelies/Hunting Lodges/Castles/Forts/ Palaces built Prior to 1935. The hotel should have a minimum of 15 rooms (30 beds).

Heritage Grand: This category will cover hotels in Residence/Havelies/Hunting Lodges/Castles/Forts/ Palaces built prior to 1935. The hotel should have minimum of 15 rooms (30 beds).

Room & Bath Size: No room or bathroom size is prescribed for any of the categories. However, general ambience, comfort and imaginative readaptation would be considered while awarding sub-classification „classic‟ or „grand‟.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Heritage: General features and ambience should conform to the overall concept of heritage and architectural distinctiveness.

Heritage Classic: General features and ambience should conform to the overall concept of heritage and architectural distinctiveness. The hotel should provide at least one of the under

mentioned sporting facilities.

Heritage Grand: General features and ambience should conform to the overall concept of heritage and architectural distinctiveness. However, all public and private areas including rooms should have superior appearance and decor. At least 50% of the rooms should be air-conditioned (except in hill stations where there should be heating arrangements). The hotel should also provide at least two of the under mentioned sporting facilities.

SPORTING FACILITIES: Swimming Pool, Health Club, Lawn Tennis, squash, Riding, Golf Course, provided the ownership vests with the concerned hotel. Apart from these facilities, credit would also be given for supplementary sporting facilities such as Golf, Boating, Sailing,

Fishing or other adventure sports such as Ballooning, Parasailing, Wind-surfing, Safari excursions, Trekking etc. and indoor games.

CUISINE: Heritage: The hotel should offer traditional cuisine of the area.

Heritage Classic: The hotel should offer traditional cuisine but should have 4 to 5 items which have close approximation to continental cuisine.

Heritage Grand: The hotel should offer traditional and continental cuisine.

MANAGEMENT: The Hotel may be managed and run by the owning family and/or professionals. Note: Classification in any of the above categories will be given keeping in view the

overall standard of the property. The hotel would be judged by the quality of service and the years of experience that the owner/staff have had in the business.

GENERAL FEATURES: There should be adequate parking space for cars. All public rooms and areas and the guest rooms should be well maintained and well equipped with quality carpets/area rugs/good quality duries, furniture, fittings etc. in good taste and in keeping with the traditional lifestyle. If carpeting is not provided, the quality of flooring should be very good (This is not to suggest that old and original flooring whether in stone or any other material should be replaced unnecessarily). The guest rooms should be clean, airy, pest free without dampness and musty odour, and of reasonably large size with attached bathrooms with modern facilities (e.g. flush commodes, wash basins, running hot and cold water, etc.). There should be a well-appointed lobby and/or lounge equipped with furniture of high standard with separate ladies and gents cloak rooms with good fittings.

FACILITIES: There should be a reception, cash and information counter attended by trained and experienced personnel. There should be money changing facilities and left luggage room. There should be a well-equipped, well-furnished and well maintained dining room on the premises and, wherever permissible by law, there should be an elegant, well-equipped bar/permit room. In the case of Heritage Grand and Heritage Classic Bar is necessary and “desirable in the case of Heritage Basic.” The kitchen and pantry should be professionally designed to ensure efficiency of operation and should be well equipped. Crockery, cutlery, glassware should be of high standard

and in sufficient quantity, keeping in view the lifestyle and commensurate with the number of guests to be served. Drinking water must be bacteria free; the kitchen must be clean, airy, well lighted and protected from pests. There must be a filtration/purification plant for drinking water. There must be three tier washing system with running hot and cold water; hygienic garbage disposal arrangements; and frost free deep freezer and refrigerator (where the arrangement is for fresh food for each meal, standby generator will not be insisted upon).

SERVICES: The hotel should offer good quality cuisine and the food and beverage service should be of good standard. There should be qualified, trained, experienced, efficient and courteous staff in service and clean uniforms and the staff coming in contact with the guests should understand English, Housekeeping at these hotels should be of the highest possible standard and there should be a plentiful supply of linen, blankets, towels, etc. which of the highest possible standard and should be a plentiful be of high quality. Each guest room should be provided with a vacuum jug/flask with bacteria free drinking water. Arrangements for heating/cooling must be provided for the guest rooms in seasons. Places which have telephone lines must have at least one phone in the office with call bells in each guest room. Arrangements for medical assistance must be there in case of need. The staff/room ratio must be in keeping with the number of guest room in each property. These hotels must be run on a professional basis while losing none of their ambience and services. The hotel should be environment friendly. The gardens and grounds should be very well maintained. There should be an efficient system of disposal of garbage and treatment of wastes and effluents. The hotel should present authentic and specially choreographed local entertainment to the guests. They should also have, wherever possible, arrangements for special services such as wildlife viewing, water

sports, horse/camel/elephant riding or safaris etc.

APPLICATION PROFORMA FOR APPROVAL OF HERITAGE HOTEL PROJECT 1. Proposed name of the Hotel: 2. Name of Promoters: (a note giving details of business antecedents may be enclosed) 3. Complete Postal address of the Promoters. 4. Status of owners/Promoters: Whether: a) Company (if so, a copy of the Memorandum & Articles of Association may be furnished) OR b) Partnership firm (If so, a copy of partnership Deed and Certificate of registration under the Partnership Act may be furnished) OR c) Proprietary concern (Give name and address of the proprietor) 5. Location of the property along with postal address: 6. Details of the property (a) Area (b) Title Whether outright purchase/ownership (if so, a copy of the registered sale deed should be furnished) OR On Lease (if so, a copy of the registered lease deed should furnished)

(c) Whether the required land use permit for the conversion into hotel on it have been obtained. (If so, a copy of certificate from the concerned local authorities should be furnished). (d) Distance from Railway Station: (e) Distance from Airport: (f) Distance from main shopping centres: 7. Details of the Hotel Project (a copy of the project/feasibility report should also be furnished). (a) No. of guest rooms and their area: Number Area Single Double Suites Total: (b) No. of attached baths and their area: (c) How many of the bathrooms will have long baths or the most modern Shower chambers (Give break-up): (d) Details of public areas: Number Area of each i) Lounge/Lobby ii) Restaurants/Dining room: iii) Bar (if any): iv) Shopping (if any): v) Banquet/Conference Halls (if any): vi) Health Club (if any): vii) Swimming Pool (If any): viii) Parking facilities:

(e) Blue prints of the sketch plans of the project. A complete set duly signed by the promoter and the architects should be furnished including/showing among other things, the following:i) Site Plan: ii) Front and side elevations: iii) Floor wise distribution of public rooms/guest rooms and other facilities. 8. Approval: Whether the hotel project has been approved/cleared by/under the following agencies/Acts wherever applicable: (a) Municipal authorities; (b) Urban Lands (Ceiling), Act: (c) Any other local/State Govt. authorities concerned. 9. Proposed Capital Structure: (a) Total estimated cost: (i) Equity: (ii) Loan: (b) Equity Capital so far raised: (c) (i) Sources from which loan is proposed to be raised: (ii) Present position of the loan: 10. Acceptance of Regulatory conditions: (This should be furnished in the prescribed proforma, as per sample attached): 11. Application Fee: Demand Draft for Rs.12,000/- for hotel projects planned for Heritage, Hotel category drawn in favour of “Pay & Accounts Officer, Department of Tourism, New Delhi” must be attached with the application: 12. If you are interested in availing of any or all of the following benefits of the

Income Tax Act, 1961, kindly mention Yes/No against each of the following provisions: Section 80 IA Section 80 HHD Signature Full name and designation of the applicant: Place: Dated:

India Palace Hotels

The Royal Pavilion Suite at the Raj Palace Hotel, Jaipur A highlight of any visit to India, and a unique way of experiencing the country's fascinating heritage, is a stay in one of India's magnificant palace hotels. These hotels were actually once home to India's royalty, and in some cases still are, but have been converted into accommodations in recent years as a way of sustaining their existence. The necessity for this, and the rise and fall of India's palaces, can be traced back through India's ever evolving history. Hundreds of years ago, India was a vastly divided country that consisted of an incredible 565 kingdoms. The richest and most grandiose of these were the Rajput kingdoms, located in what is now known as the desert state of Rajasthan. This is where India's most opulent palace hotels can be found. The British also contributed to extensively to the building of lavish residences, particularly in India's hill settlements where they retreated during the summer months to escape the relentless heat. After the British left and India achieved independence in 1947, all states merged into the Republic of India. Many of the British mansions were purchased by India's royal families, who used them as summer palaces for themselves. Then, in 1971, the Constitution of India abolished the status of royalty in the India and all royal privileges were withdrawn. Some palaces and mansions were retained by the once royal families, some sold off or leased to hotel chains, and others were assumed by the Indian government. However, the end result is that India now has some exquisite palace hotels where guests can stay and experience how royalty once lived

A few of the most popular heritage hotels in India: 1.Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

2.Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jodhpur

3.Taj Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur

4.Taj Gateway Hotel Jaisalmer

5.Taj Rambagh Palace ,Jaipur

6.Taj Nadesar Palace, Varanasi

7.Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad 8.The Bagh,Bharatpur

9.Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysore

10.Devigarh Resorts, Udaipur

11.Raj Palace, Jaipur

12.Shiv Vilas Palace, Jaipur

13.Kumarakom Lake Resorts, Kerala

14.Laxmi Vilas Palace, Udaipur

15.Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur

16.Balsamand Lake Palace, Jodhpur 17. Hotel Raas, Jodhpur 18. Fateh Prakash Palace, Udaipur 19. Nahargarh,Sawai Madhopur 20. Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

21. Oberoi Udaivillas

22. Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur

23. The Leela Palace, Udaipur

.

Palace Hotels in Jaipur Rajasthan

Durbar throne (16th Century original Throne) in the Durbar Mahal Suite, Raj Palace Hotel, Jaipur. Some of India's oldest and finest palace hotels can be found in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, reflective of the city's particularly wealthy royalty that once occupied them. Jai Mahal Palace

Jal Mahal (meaning "Water Palace") is a palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, India. The palace and the lake around it were renovated and enlarged in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber

Jal Mahal at night. "The Jal Mahal palace has got an eye-popping makeover. Traditional boat-makers from Vrindavan have crafted the Rajput style wooden boats. A gentle splashing of oars on the clear lake waters takes you to Jal Mahal. You move past decorated hallways and chambers on the first floor to climb all the way up to the fragrant Chameli Bagh. Across the lake, you can view the Aravalli hills, dotted with temples and ancient forts, and on the other side, bustling Jaipur. The most remarkable change is in the lake itself. The drains were diverted, two million tonnes of toxic silt were dredged from the bottom, increasing its depth by over a metre, a water treatment system was developed, local vegetation and fish reintroduced, the surrounding wetlands regenerated and five nesting islands created to attract migratory birds The Jal Mahal palace is considered an architectural beauty built in the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture (common in Rajasthan) providing a picturesque view of the lake (from the Mansagar dam on the eastern side of the lake that acts as a vantage point for viewing the lake and the valley), and the surrounding Nahargarh (abode of the tigers) hills. The palace, built in red sandstone, is a five storied building out of which four floors remain under water when the lake is full and the top floor is exposed.[8] The rectangular Chhatri on the roof is of the Bengal type. The Chhatris on the four corners are octagonal. The palace had suffered subsidence in the past and also seepage due to water logging, which have been repaired under the restoration project undertaken by the Government of Rajasthan.[10] On the terrace of the palace, a garden was built with arched passages. At each corner of this palace semi-octagonal towers were built with an elegant cupola.[11] The restoration works done in the palace in the past (10–15 years back) were not satisfactory and an expert in the field of similar architectural restoration works of Rajastahn palaces carefully examined the designs that could decipher the originally existing designs on the walls, after removing the recent plaster work. Based on this finding, restoration works were redone with traditional materials for plastering. The plaster now used consisted of

an organic material of a special mortor mix of lime, sand and surkhi mixed with jaggery, guggal and methi (cummins) powder. It was also noticed that there was hardly any water seepage, except for a little dampness, in the floors below the water level. But the original garden, which existed on the terrace had been lost. Now, a new terrace is being created based on a similar roof garden existing on the Amer palace

Raj Palace Hotel The charming Raj Palace Hotel was built in 1727 and is Jaipur's oldest mansion. Its breathtaking Durbar Mahal Suite, acknowledged as "Asia's Leading Suite" in the 2008 World Travel Awards, was used by the Maharaja himself. The hotel is centrally located in a quiet area to the north of the Old City, heading towards Amber Fort. Rambagh Palace The Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan is the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur and now a luxury Taj Palace Hotel, located 5 miles (8.0 km) outside of the walls of the city of Jaipur on Bhawani Singh Road. Preferred by celebrities and sport stars across the globe, Rambagh Palace, is widely considered to be one of the best hotels around the world. The first building on the site was a garden house built in 1835 for the wet nurse of prince Ram Singh II.[1] In 1887, during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh, it was converted into a modest royal hunting lodge, as the house was located in the midst of a thick forest at that time. In the early 20th century, it was expanded into a palace to the designs of Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob.[2] Maharajah Sawai Man Singh II made Rambagh his principal residence and added a number of royal suites in 1931.[3] After India became independent and the princely states united, the Palace became the Government House. By the 1950s, the royal family felt that the upkeep of the palace and its 47 acres (190,000 m2) of gardens was becoming very costly. They, therefore, decided in 1957[3] to convert it into a luxury hotel.[3] Samode Palace Samode Palace, Samode Haveli and Samode Bagh (Garden) are heritage monuments and structures built by the noble feudatory with the hereditary title of 'Maha Rawal' or 'Maha Saheb’ of the Amber and Jaipur principality in Rajasthan, India. All three have rich history of several hundred years and display a fusion of Mughal and Rajasthani art and architecture. They are now part of the Heritage group of hotels under the flagship name of “Samode” that are run by the hereditary owners of these structures. The Samode Palace is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Jaipur city, the Samode Haveli is close to Jaipur (centrally located within city limits, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away from the city railway station) and the Samode Bagh or Garden, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the palace which is also run as a luxury hotel.[1][2]

The palace, built by the noblemen of the court of the royal family, is located near the Samode village on the outskirts of Shekhawat. It is built of sandstone at the foot of the Aravalli range of hills (the foremost mountain range of north-western India) with a fortress like setting. The interiors of the palace are composed in the ancient architectural style of Rajasthan: marble floors, intricately ornamented pillars, mosaic walls (with tiny pieces of small inlaid stones), with luxurious carpets, and decorated with old wall paintings (hunting scenes, floral motifs and so forth). At the entrance gate of the palace is a unique piece of a large sized treasure chest made of dark wood with marble settings and gleaming glass. The Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) is located on the southern side of the palace.[3][9] The frescoes in the Durbar hall and in the Sultan Mahal are said to be 250 years old.[2] The palace is built on three levels (planned in a sequence of courtyards of increasing height) with a patio on each floor. There is an old ruined fort above the palace from where a panoramic view of the valley could be seen. The fort area is overgrown with vegetation but stone paved paths have been built to reach the fort heights. [5][10] Samode fort was the former residence of the Maharaja. It is said that an underground passage links it to the palace that provided access at times of emergency. It is now approached by a well laid out stone paved path (300 steps). There is also an entry gate to the ruined fort. Two other forts close by complete the circuit of a circular walk from and back to the palace. There is also a small temple, 3 kilometres away from the fort.[3][11] The Samode village near the palace is noted for its cloth made by block printing and also for handicrafts such as bangle making.[3] There is a small artists' colony in the village where miniature paintings are made

Palace Hotels in Jodhpur Rajasthan

Umaid Bhawan Palace The blue city of Jodhpur doesn't have as many palace hotels as other cities in Rajasthan, but it does have the extraordinary Umaid Bhawan. Umaid Bhawan Palace

Umaid Bhawan Palace, located at Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India, is one of the world's largest private residences. A part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present owners of the palace, this monument has 347 rooms and serves as the principal residence of the erstwhile Jodhpur royal family. Umaid Bhawan Palace was called Chittar Palace during its construction due to its location on Chittar Hill, the highest point in Jodhpur. Ground for the foundations of the building was broken on 18 November 1929 by Maharaja Umaid Singh and the construction work was completed in 1943 With 64 well furnished and elegantly appointed rooms/suites to choose from, staying could indeed be a memorable experience for guests at the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur .[1] The Palace was built to provide employment to thousands of people during the time of famine. With 64 well furnished and elegantly appointed rooms/suites to choose from, staying could indeed be a memorable experience for guests at the Taj Umaid. There are 25 rooms and 39 suites in all at the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace The rooms/ suites are categorized as Maharani Suite, Maharaja Suite, Royal Suite, Regal Suite and Deluxe Rooms. All the rooms in Taj Umaid

Palace are beautifully designed in royal style and show case the Art Deco style with a distinct ambience. Bal Samand Lake Palace The red sandstone Bal Samand Lake Palace hotel is a quiet and peaceful place, located around 10 minutes from the city. It was built as a royal summer residence in typical ornate Rajput architectural style. The hotel's expansive gardens and lake are soothing places to unwind. Get more information about these Jodhpur palace hotels and compare rates at About.com's booking partner, Kayak:  

Bal Samand Lake Palace Umaid Bhawan Palace

There are also a few smaller hotels in and around Jodhpur where you can have a regal stay. Some of the best are: Ajit Bhawan The Ajit Bhawan is a mansion that was built by Maharaja Ajit Singhji of Jodhpur. The hotel's accommodations comprise a range of suites, luxury tents, and rooms. It's a charming but not lavish mid-range place to stay, located a short distance from the city center. Fort Chanwa Luni Not a palace but a fortress built around 100 years ago by Maharaja Dalip Singh, this tranquil hotel is located around 40 minutes from Jodhpur

Palace Hotels in Udaipur Rajasthan

View of Lake Pichola and the Lake Palace hotel from a room the Shiv Niwas Palace hotel. Romantic Udaipur, known for its beautiful lakes and palaces, is possibly the best city in India for a stay that's reminiscent of royalty. There are many palace hotels to choose from. Devi Garh Devi Garh Palace is a heritage hotel and resort, housed in the 18th-century Devi Garh palace in the village of Delwara. It was the royal residence of the rulers of Delwara principality, from mid18th century till mid-20th century. Situated amidst in the Aravalli hills, 28 km northeast of Udaipur, Rajasthan, Devigarh forms one of the three main passes into the valley of Udaipur.[1][2] In 2006, the New York Times named it as is one of India's leading luxury hotels,[3] and Frommer's Review, while calling it "the best hotel on the subcontinent", stated that "Devi Garh is more than beautiful, it is inspiring.".[1] In 2008, it was featured in Lifestyle Channel Discovery Travel and Living series, 'Dream Hotels' spread over five continents, other two Indian hotels that made it to the list of 55, were Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, and Rambagh Palace, Jaipur[4] The principality of Delwara was given out to Raja Sajja Singh, one of the lieutenant of Maharana Pratap, after the 'Battle of Haldighati' in 1576.[5] First a rudimentary palace was built by Raghudev Singh II, which was later revamped a few years later in 1760s for a royal visit of the Maharani of Udaipur. The seven-storeyed hilltop fort palace in Rajasthani architecture was built in the 1760s.[6] Two centuries later, it was in ruins and empty for 20 years, when it was acquired by Poddars, an industrial family from Shekhawati region in 1984.[7] The restoration took over 15 years and a team of 750 people, led by architect Gautam Bhatia and architect Navin Gupta. The interior spaces were redesigned in minimalistic style by Mumbai-based interior designer Rajiv Saini, to turn this palace into an all suite luxury hotel, complete with a spa and Ayurvedic retreat,[8][9][10] today it is considered one of India's best designed hotels. . Fateh Prakash Palace This hotel is an original palace full of antique furniture and paintings. It's part of the famous City Palace complex, where the Mewar royal family still lives, located on the banks of Lake Pichola. Lake Palace Jump to: navigation, search

Lake Palace on Lake Pichola, Udaipur, India Lake Palace (formerly known as Jag Niwas) is a luxury hotel, of 83 rooms and suites featuring white marble walls, located on a natural foundation of 4 acres (16,000 m2) rock on the Jag Niwas[1] island[2] in Lake Pichola, Udaipur, India. The hotel operates a boat which transports guests to the hotel from a jetty at the City Palace. It has been voted as the most romantic hotel in India. It was built in 1743[1]- 1746[2] under the direction of the Maharana Jagat Singh II (62nd successor to the royal dynasty of Mewar) of Udaipur, Rajasthan as a royal summer palace and was initially called Jagniwas or Jan Niwas after its founder.[1] The Maharana, ruler of Udaipur from 1628 to 1654, was very friendly with Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and encouraged his craftsmen to copy some of the glories of his incomparable buildings at Agra. The palace was constructed facing east, allowing its inhabitants to pray to the Sun god at the crack of dawn.[3] The successive rulers used this cool haven as their summer resort, holding their regal durbars in its courtyards lined with columns, pillared terraces, fountains and gardens.[1]

The upper room of the palace is a perfect circle and is about 21 feet (6.4 m) in diameter. Its floor is inlaid with black and white marbles, the walls are ornamented with niches and decorated with arabesques of different coloured stones in the same style as the Taj at Agra, though the patterns are Hindu and dome is exquisitely beautiful in form. A room built of 12 enormous slabs of marble, Shah Jahan‟s throne sculptured from a single block of serpentine and the little mosque dedicated to Kapuria Baba, a Muhammedan Saint, are other objects of interest on the island.[3] During the famous Indian Sepoy Mutiny in 1857 several European families fled from Nimach and used the island as an asylum, offered to them by Maharana Swaroop Singh. In order to protect his guests the Rana destroyed all the town‟s boats so that the rebels could not reach the island.[3]

By the latter half of the 19th century time and weather took their toll on the extraordinary water palaces of Udaipur. Pierre Loti, a French writer, described Jag Niwas as "slowly mouldering in the damp emanations of the lake." About the same time two colonial bicyclists, Fanny Bullock Workman and her husband William Hunter Workman, were distressed by the „cheap and tasteless style‟ of the interiors of the water palaces with "an assortment of infirm European furniture, wooden clocks, coloured glass ornaments, and children‟s toys, all of which seems to the visitor quite out of place, where he would naturally expect a dignified display of Eastern splendour."[3] The reign of Bhopal Singh (1930–55) saw the addition of another pavilion, Chandra Prakash, but otherwise the Jag Niwas remained unaltered and decaying. Geoffrey Kendal, the noted theatre personality, described the palace during his visit in the 1950s as "totally deserted, the stillness broken only by the humming of clouds of mosquitoes."[3]

Lily Pond at Lake Palace, Udaipur Bhagwat Singh decided to convert the Jag Niwas Palace into Udaipur‟s first luxury hotel. Didi Contractor, an American artist, became a design consultant to this hotel project. Didi‟s accounts gives an insight to the life and responsibility of the new maharana of Udaipur: "I worked from 1961 to 1969 and what an adventure! His Highness, you know, was a real monarch – really like

kings always were. So one had a sense of being one of the last people to be an artist for the king. It felt the way one imagines it was like working in the courts of the Renaissance. It was an experience of going back in time to an entirely different era, a different world. His Highness was actually working on a shoestring. He wasn‟t in dire straits, mind you, but when he came to the throne he inherited big problems like what to do with the 300 dancing girls that belonged to his predecessor [Maharana Bhopal Singh]. He tried to offer them scholarships to become nurses but they didn‟t want to move out of the palace so what could he do? He had to keep them. They were old crones by this time and on state occasions I remember they would come to sing and dance with their ghunghats [veils] down and occasionally one would lift hers to show a wizened old face underneath. and he had something like twelve state elephants. and he had all these properties which were deteriorating. The buildings on Jag Niwas were starting to fall down and basically the Lake Palace was turned into a hotel because it seemed the only viable way that it could be maintained … It was really a job of conservation."[3] In 1971, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces took over management of the hotel[4] and added another 75 rooms.[5] Jamshyd D. F. Lam of the Taj Group was one of the key people involved in the restoration of the original property, bringing it to such high standards with his work and experience & was also the first General manager there & the youngest at that time in India. In 2000, a second restoration was undertaken. The "Royal Butlers" working in the hotel are descendants of the original palace retainers

Shikarbadi Shikarbadi is a former hunting lodge of the Royal Family of Mewar. Its quiet location in the Aravalli hills around 15 minutes from the city is full of wildlife, including spotted deer, monkeys, peacocks, and migratory birds. Shiv Niwas Palace Shiv Niwas Palace is a former residence of the Maharana of Udaipur, Rajasthan, located on the banks of Lake Pichola. ocated to the south side of and part of the City Palace complex, work on this building was begun by Maharana Sajjan Shambhu Singh (1874 to 1884) and finished by his successor Maharana Fateh Singh at the beginning of the 20th century as a royal guesthouse. During its time as a guesthouse it hosted a number of royal gatherings and VIP visits from all over the world, including George V of the United Kingdom in 1905, and Edward the Prince of Wales.

By the time that Bhagwat Singh succeeded to the throne of Mewar in 1955, it was becoming increasing difficult for the royal family to afford the cost of maintaining the large numbers of royal residences that they owned, in particular the city palace. Following his success in converting the Lake Palace into an income generating hotel he decided to also convert the Shiv Niwas and the smaller Fateh Prakash Palace into luxury heritage hotels. After a 4 year long period of conversion the Shiv Niwas opened as a hotel in 1982 The 3 levels of the palace are arranged in a semicircular arc around an internal courtyard in the middle of which is a marble pool.[2] Balconies and rooftop terraces opening off different rooms enjoy views to the south of the gardens laid below the dam wall of Lake Pichola; while to the west, the island resorts of Jag Mandir and the Lake Palace. The building is of ancient Rajput architectural styles. The interior features ivory and mother-of-pearl inlay work, glass mosaics and frescoes, many of them produced by Khaja Ustadh and Kundan Lal, whom the Maharana had sent to England to learn the art of glass-mosaic design and to study fresco painting.[3] When first built the palace had nine suites, all on the ground floor. During its conversion into a hotel, eight apartments were added in a new second story so that the hotel now has 36 guest rooms consisting of:[4] 19 deluxe rooms 8 terrace suites 6 royal suites 3 imperial suites

Since its conversion into a hotel it has played host to, among others, Queen Elizabeth II, the King of Nepal, the Shah of Iran, and Jacqueline Kennedy. The hotel is run by the HRH Group of Hotels, itself owned by the current Maharana.

Other Palace Hotels in Rajasthan

Neemrana Fort Palace Hotel, Village Neemrana, District Alwar. The Rajasthan countryside is dotted with captivating fort and palace hotels, which make wonderful escapes away from hectic city life. These include: Gajner Palace, Bikaner Spread over an incredible 6,000 acres, the Gajner Palace is located around 30 minutes from Bikaner on the embankment of a lake. It's a gorgeous former hunting resort of the Maharajas and was also visited by British dignitaries during the Raj. Laxmi Niwas Palace, Bikaner Laxmi Niwas Palace is a former residential palace of the king of the former Bikaner state, Mahārāja Ganga Singh in Bikaner in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was designed in 1896 in an

Indo-Saracenic style by the British architect, Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, and built between 1898 and 1902. Upon its completion, plans were already drawn up, again by Jacob, to extend it into the much larger Lalgarh Palace[1] which was constructed between 1902 and 1926. It is now a luxury hotel owned by Golden Triangle Fort & Palace P. Ltd. The magnificent structure in red sandstone is one of the most popular destination for tourists in Bikaner.[2] As Stanley Reed (UK politician), the official reporter of the 1905-06 India tour of Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales (later King George V and Queen Mary of Great Britain) notes: "The Laxmi Niwas Palace is the most perfect modern building in the Indo-Saracenic style in India - an entirely graceful pile of carved red sandstone, nobly proportioned and harmonising entirely with its environment. Their Royal Highnesses have not been more splendidly housed since they landed in Bombay"

Bikaner House "The Palace Hotel", Mount Abu This hotel, built in 1893, was once the summer residence of the royal family of Bikaner. The best thing about it is its vast and serene grounds. Deogarh Mahal, District Rajsamand The 17th century fort-palace Deogarh Mahal is full of history and run by the royal family themselves. Perched on a hill between Udaipur and Jodhpur, it's a fabulous place to stop and break the journey.

Neemrana Fort Palace, Village Neemrana

This atmospheric hotel is a genuine hilltop fort, constructed in 1464. It's located on the DelhiJaipur highway, around two and a half hours drive from Delhi in Rajasthan's Alwar district, making it perfect for exploring India's Golden Triangle. Built from 1464 AD, Neemrana Fort-Palace is located on a high hillock and commands magnificent views of the surrounding beauty. It was is among India's oldest heritage resort hotels, as it was created in 1986 . Its name derives from a valiant local chieftain named Nimola Meo. The Chauhan capital was shifted from Mandhan (near Alwar) to Neemrana when the fort was established by Raja Dup Raj in 1467.[1] Nowadays, the Neemrana fort is a heritage resort.

Udai Bilas Palace, Dungarpur Idyllically located between a lake and a forest around two hours south of Udaipur, the Udai Bilas Palace features graceful Rajput architecture. The main attraction in the area is the deserted 13thcentury Juna Mahal palace.

Mountain Palace Hotels in India

The Oberoi Wildflower Hall Hotel, Shimla India's mountain palace hotels have a distinctly British feel to them as most originate from the time that the British Raj ruled India. They were built and used as cool summer retreats. Fernhills Palace, Ooty Fernhills Palace is located on 50 acres of land in the rolling hills of Ooty, in south India's tea growing district. It became the summer palace of the Wadiyar royal family from Mysore after it was acquired from the British. The hotel retains much of its colonial charm, and each room has a delightful open fireplace for guests to warm themselves by a log fire during winter

Kasmanda Palace, Mussoorie The small but elegant Kasmanda Palace hotel is one of the oldest buildings in Mussoorie. Built in 1836 as part of a church complex, it has an interesting history that's seen it used as a sanatorium for the British forces and a school, before being purchased by the Kasmanda Royal Family as their summer retreat. The royal family still owns the hotel. Filled with memorabilia, and with a picturesque elevated location slightly above the town of Mussoorie (at the foothills of the Himalayan ranges), the hotel provides a wonderful glimpse into the bygone era.

Wildflower Hall, Shimla

Wildflower Hall, now a luxury award winning Oberoi hotel, was once the home of Lord Kitchener during the rule of the British Raj in India. It has an enviable fairytale setting high in the Himalayas, amidst 23 acres of dense pine and cedar woods. The hotel provides a tranquil sanctuary with panoramic views of snow covered peaks. You can do as little or as much as you want there -- relax at the spa, take walks in the wilderness, or enjoy the thrill of adventure activities such as white river rafting.

Other Palace Hotels in India Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel, Mysore

Some other notable palace hotels in India with royal connections include: Chandra Mahal Haveli, Peharsar

This carefully restored mansion makes a great alternative to the generally unappealing and characterless hotels in Agra. Located in a village on the Jaipur Agra Road, around one hour from Agra, the Chandra Mahal was built in 1699 by the Nobles of Emperor Akbar. It's a simple property, but is also extremely alluring and comfortable, and a delight to explore. Live traditional music and dance performances are often held in the evenings. The upstairs terrace rooms are recommended for their natural light and air.

Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysore

The striking white Lalitha Mahal, located on a hill just outside the city, is Mysore's second

largest palace. It was built in 1921 by the king to house his royal guests. The main drawback is that this glorious property is owned and operated by the Indian government. As a result, much of it remains in original condition and is becoming a bit worn. Guests shouldn't expect a luxurious stay. However, it's a very authentic and exotic palace, which exudes a great deal of charm and history.

Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is a five-star hotel located in the Colaba region of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, next to the Gateway of India. Part of the Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, this building is considered the flagship property of the group and contains 565 rooms. From a historical and architectural point of view, the two buildings that make up the hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and the Tower are two distinct buildings, built at different times and in different architectural designs. The hotel has hosted notable guests such as The Beatles, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Bill Clinton, Jacques Chirac, The King & Queen of Norway, The Duke & Duchess of Kent, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, Roger Moore, Joan Collins, Mick Jagger, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Deep Purple, Michael Palin, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Oprah Winfrey, as well as professional cricket teams on tour The Taj Mahal Hotel was commissioned in Indo-Saracenic style by Tata and first opened its doors to guests on 16 December 1903. It is widely believed that Jamsedji Tata decided to build the hotel after he was refused entry to one of the city's grand hotels of the time, Watson's Hotel, as it was restricted to "whites only". However, this story has been challenged by some commentators that suggest that Tata was unlikely to have been concerned with 'revenge' against his British adversaries. Instead they suggest that the Taj was built at the urging of editor of The Times of India who felt a hotel "worthy of Bombay" was needed.[1]

The original Indian architects were Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D. N. Mirza, and the project was completed by an English engineer, W. A. Chambers. The builder was Khansaheb Sorabji Ruttonji Contractor who also designed and built its famous central floating staircase. The cost of construction was £250,000 (£127 million today).[2] During World War I, the hotel was converted into a 600-bed hospital. The dome of the hotel is made from steel as used in the Eiffel Tower. Jamsedji Tata imported the same steel during that time. The hotel was the first in India to install and operate a steam elevator. The hotel imported American fans, German elevators, Turkish baths and English butlers, for the first time in India.

The side of the hotel seen from the harbour is actually its rear. The front faces away to the west. There is a widespread misconception that the architects' building plans were confused by the builder so that he built it facing away from the harbor. This is not true, as the hotel was deliberately built facing inland, possibly because the horse carriages in which guests came to the hotel could more easily approach the hotel from the city.[citation needed] The carriages were then taken to Wellington Mews. 40 years ago, the old front was closed off, and since then, access has been made through the harbor-side entrance. Wellington Mews has now been converted into luxury service apartments operated and owned by the Taj group. On the site where the tower wing now stands used to be a hotel called Green's Hotel at the Apollo Bunder, which was purchased by the Taj Mahal Hotel. Green's was popular among sailors due to its low cost and was notorious for its wild parties.[3] In 1973, Green's hotel was demolished and the present Tower wing was constructed in its place. Mr. Jamshyd D. F. Lam (Retd. Sr. Vice President IHCL) of the Taj Group was the General Manager from 1980 to 1985, during which time the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower was ranked as the fifth best hotel in the world for two consecutive years. The hotel was ranked 20th in Asia in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Awards of 2010

TAJ FALAKNUMA PALACE

Retrace the steps of Nizams, European royalty, enchanting Begums, distinguished Heads of State and walk the walk of Kings through this Palace in the sky. 2000 feet above Hyderabad, Taj Falaknuma Palace's 60 beautifully refurbished and lovingly restored rooms allow you to journey into the clouds and into the glided ages, where grandeur and excess is celebrated and savoured in equal measure.

Those who have revelled in its opulence have revelled in its large Venetian chandeliers, rare furniture, grand marble staircases and gurgling fountains, priceless statues, and objets d'art, stained-glass windows, unique sketches and murals encased in ornate frames, a world-class collection of crystal as well as the Mughal, Rajasthani and Japanese gardens personally conceived by the Nizam. The Palace Library, a replica of the one at Windsor Castle, is a collector's envy as it is home to the rarest of manuscripts, books and one of the most acclaimed collections of the Holy Quran in the country, all of which were selected and brought back by the Nizam himself.

The former residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad, Falaknuma Palace has been rightfully leased by the Royal Family of Hyderabad to the Taj Group of Hotels Resorts and Palaces with Royal Family members having personally supervised part of the Palace's refurbishment. Guest can now experience the famed Nizam's hospitality which was once the sole preserve of royalty.

Retrace the steps of Nizams, European royalty, enchanting Begums, distinguished Heads of State and walk the walk of Kings through this Palace in the sky. 2000 feet above Hyderabad, Taj Falaknuma Palace's 60 beautifully refurbished and lovingly restored rooms allow you to journey into the clouds and into the glided ages, where grandeur and excess is celebrated and savoured in equal measure. Those who have revelled in its opulence have revelled in its large Venetian chandeliers, rare furniture, grand marble staircases and gurgling fountains, priceless statues, and objets d'art, stained-glass windows, unique sketches and murals encased in ornate frames, a world-class collection of crystal as well as the Mughal, Rajasthani and Japanese gardens personally conceived by the Nizam. The Palace Library, a replica of the one at Windsor Castle, is a collector's envy as it is home to the rarest of manuscripts, books and one of the most acclaimed collections of the Holy Quran in the country, all of which were selected and brought back by the Nizam himself. The former residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad, Falaknuma Palace has been rightfully leased by the Royal Family of Hyderabad to the Taj Group of Hotels Resorts and Palaces with Royal Family members having personally supervised part of the Palace's refurbishment. Guest can now experience the famed Nizam's hospitality which was once the sole preserve of royalty.