12/12/17, 2'45 PMLive Like Royalty in India Photos | Architectural Digest

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C U LT U R E + L I F E S T Y L EC U LT U R E + L I F E S T Y L E

Live Like Royalty in IndiaMany of India’s architectural wonders—palaces, forts, and noble

houses—have been transformed into magical bou!que hotels, givingtravelers a unique view into the country’s past. These incredible

proper!es are at the top of our don’t-miss list

TEXT BY ALYSSA BIRD · Posted December 31, 2014

V I E W A S S L I D E S H OWV I E W A S S L I D E S H OW

Photo courtesy of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

Taj Falaknuma PalaceTaj Falaknuma Palace—once home to the

S U B S C R I B E N O WS U B S C R I B E N O WGet the Magazine

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monarch of Hyderabad—has seen its share

of visiting royalty, from King Edward VIII

to Czar Nicholas II. Set on 32 acres, the

property has been expertly renovated to

include modern comforts while preserving

its storied public areas.

Photo courtesy of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

One of the hotel’s main event spaces,

Durbar Hall, features parquet flooring,

elegant chandeliers, and an exquisite ceiling

with intricately carved wood details. From

$294/night; tajhotels.com

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Photo courtesy of Samode Hotels

Commanding a prime spot overlooking the

village of Samode, 30 miles north of Jaipur,

the 150-year-old Samode PalaceSamode Palace is the

perfect base for visiting nearby attractions

such as the Sariska National Park and

Sanganer, a village known for its

papermaking and block-printed textiles.

12/12/17, 2'45 PMLive Like Royalty in India Photos | Architectural Digest

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Photo courtesy of Samode Hotels

A veranda off the central courtyard. Many

of the hotel’s spaces feature lavish frescoes

and colorful fabrics from Jaipur. From

$350/night; samode.com

Photo courtesy of Jodhana Heritage Resorts

Set within Rajasthan’s 12th-century

Ahhichatragarh fortress—or Nagaur, as it’s

also known—the RanvasRanvas hotel comprises

ten restored mansions that were built in the

18th century for the Maharaja of Jodhpur’s

many queens.

12/12/17, 2'45 PMLive Like Royalty in India Photos | Architectural Digest

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Photo courtesy of Jodhana Heritage Resorts

Each mansion, or haveli, is named after one

of the queens and features two or three

bedrooms, a private courtyard, an outdoor

living area, and locally made furnishings.

Hotel guests can explore the fortress

museum, the fort’s ramparts, the local

bazaar, nearby temples, and the surrounding

Thar Desert. From $228/night;

ranvasnagaur.com

12/12/17, 2'45 PMLive Like Royalty in India Photos | Architectural Digest

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Photo courtesy of Mahout Limited

Between Udaipur and Jodhpur lies the

Rawla Narlai,Rawla Narlai, a charming hotel in the

Aravalli hills that served as a hunting lodge

to the Jodhpur royal family beginning in the

17th century.

Photo courtesy of Ajit Group of Hotels

In addition to smartly furnished rooms, the

hotel offers rooftop dining and a lovely pool

area. For an unforgettable experience, take

advantage of the hotel’s off-site dinner

event located at a carved-stone step well lit

by hundreds of oil lamps. From $192/night;

rawlanarlai.com

12/12/17, 2'45 PMLive Like Royalty in India Photos | Architectural Digest

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Photo courtesy of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

The fact that Taj Lake PalaceTaj Lake Palace is accessible

only by boat is a good indication that it’s a

special place. Seemingly floating in the

middle of Udaipur’s Lake Pichola, the hotel

was commissioned by Maharana Jagat Singh

II as a pleasure palace in the 1700s. The

structure was converted into a hotel in

1963, before becoming part of the Taj group

in 1971.

12/12/17, 2'45 PMLive Like Royalty in India Photos | Architectural Digest

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Photo courtesy of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

Beyond the white marble façade are a bevy

of colorful rooms. Pictured is one of the

property’s Grand Royal suites. From

$281/night; tajhotels.com

Photo: David Sutherland

This 17th-century noble residence in

Siolim, in the state of Goa, was

painstakingly restored to its former glory

and transformed into the intimate SiolimSiolim

House.House. The hotel’s style is reflective of the

Portuguese, who occupied the area during

that time.

12/12/17, 2'45 PMLive Like Royalty in India Photos | Architectural Digest

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Photo: David Sutherland

The spacious guest rooms are decorated

with furnishings from around the country.

Much of the restoration employed

traditional materials and craftsmanship to

achieve an authentic look. The hotel’s

proximity to the Arabian Sea makes it a

great base for exploring the area’s beaches

and other outdoor attractions. From

$145/night; siolimhouse.com

12/12/17, 2'45 PMLive Like Royalty in India Photos | Architectural Digest

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Photo courtesy of WelcomHeritage Hotels

Once the summer palace of the maharajas of

Mysore, Ferrnhills Royaal PalaceFerrnhills Royaal Palace sits on a

serene 50-acre estate in Ooty. Even today

the area serves as a welcome respite from

city life, offering outdoor activities such as

cycling, horseback riding, hiking, and

fishing.

Photo courtesy of WelcomHeritage Hotels

The lavish interiors boast carved

woodwork, ornate embellishments, and

traditional furnishings. From $128/night;

fernhillspalace.co.in

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Photo courtesy of Neemrana Hotels

The state of Kerala in the southwestern tip

of the country is a popular destination for

its beautiful beaches and lush scenery. LeLe

ColonialColonial in the city of Cochin is a 16th-

century home that has seen many residents,

from Portuguese and Dutch governors to a

British tea trader.

12/12/17, 2'45 PMLive Like Royalty in India Photos | Architectural Digest

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Photo courtesy of Neemrana Hotels

The rooms, which are furnished with Indian

art and antiques, are named after residents

or guests of the home, including Dutch

governor Jan van Spall and Portuguese

explorer Vasco da Gama. From $145/night;

le-colonial.neemranahotels.com

Photo: Roger Grayson/Alamy

British architect Henry Lanchester had Art

Deco style in mind when he conceived

Umaid Bhawan PalaceUmaid Bhawan Palace in 1929. The

structure in Jodhpur was completed for the

city’s royal family in 1943. The majestic

desert-sandstone structure—now part of the

Taj hotel group—is located on 26 well-

manicured acres. The royal family returned

to the palace in 2010 to celebrate the

prince’s engagement.

12/12/17, 2'45 PMLive Like Royalty in India Photos | Architectural Digest

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Photo courtesy of Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

The hotel’s ballroom, Marwar Hall, features

a features a vaulted stone ceiling, gilt

mirrors, and carved details. Art Deco items,

gilt furnishings, and murals can be found

throughout the property. From $448/night;

tajhotels.com

Photo courtesy of Neemrana Hotels

12/12/17, 2'45 PMLive Like Royalty in India Photos | Architectural Digest

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Gwalior, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is

known for its contributions to art and

music. From the 15-room hotel Deo Bagh,Deo Bagh,

guests can visit the nearby temples, Jai Vilas

Palace, the State Archaeological Museum,

and the Gwalior Fort.

Photo: Melissa Maria

The property is home to two Maratha

temples, which guests can explore. From

$75/night; deo-bagh.neemranahotels.com

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Photo courtesy of Lebua Hotels and Resorts

Several years ago, the once-dilapidated royal

residence of Devi GarhDevi Garh in the village of

Delwara was given a second chance. Now

the 18th-century palace offers its guests the

royal treatment with countless amenities,

including a spa by L’Occitane.

Photo courtesy of Lebua Hotels and Resorts

Perched in the Aravalli hills, the hotel

overlooks the village and is conveniently

located less than an hour from Udaipur.