The Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is a historical site, first constructed in 1928 and placed above the desert capital of Jodhpur. It was originally a palace and the last of the grand palaces of India.
Besides twenty-six acres of lush foliage and gardens, the palace hotel features art-deco style luxury, combining both the east and west sensibilities, and 347 rooms and unique theme rooms.
The renaissance-influenced dome is over 100 feet high, and the Rajput-style towers are amazing to behold. Inside, the fixtures and furnishings are designer-quality, while the murals feature original art by the likes of world-renowned Polish artist Stefan Norblin.
Also on site is a private museum, squash courts, billiards, and dining from the grill with traditional Indian music. But, perhaps the greatest feature for history lovers is that the hotel escorts you around with a royal butler in a vintage-style car.
Choose from theme rooms like historical suites, royal suites, grand royal suites, and maharajah suites. Each themed room has its unique style, with amenities like crystal fountains, large murals of wildlife, mirrored bars, and exotic artifacts mixed in with the décor.
This is an excellent location for sampling Royal Indian life, the way the greatest of kings once had it.