Rambagh Palace
OVERVIEW
This restored palace was built in 1835 for the queen’s favourite handmaiden, and was later appropriated as a hunting lodge and guesthouse for royal consorts. In 1957 the palace was converted into a luxury hotel by Taj and is now the jewel in the crown of the hotel group’s properties, retaining its regal elegance and stunning décor – it feels as though the royal family never left.
Antique chandeliers glitter from the ceilings, the upholstery is resplendent in fine silks and rich colours reflective of the hotel’s illustrious past. The rooms were once home to kings and queens and their design shows this. Each room is uniquely presented and the 10 signature suites are decorated with unique themes, with hand-painted motifs, four poster beds and luxurious marble bathrooms.
Of the dining options available (and there are many), Suvarna Mahal is the most opulent, with a gilded dining room decorated in Renaissance style with high ceilings, Florentine frescoes and amazingly luxurious carpets. Here you can take your taste buds on a journey around India, trying delicacies from local Rajasthan, Awadh, the Punjab region and Hyderabad, meaning you’ll get to try to best of India from your base in Jaipur. Your fantastic location means you’re ideally placed for exploring the city and its surrounds; tours of the area can take you to Hawa Mahal, the Amer Fort and further afield into the Aravalli Mountains.
SUMMARY
Rooms: 78
Location: Jaipur, India
Nearest Airport: Jaipur International Airport
Board Basis: Bed & Breakfast
6 Reasons to visit Rambagh Palace
- Candlelit dinners in a private dining tent are an intensely romantic experience
- The hotel’s close proximity to the polo pitch means the polo bar is often visited by players
- A great location means you’re close to all the sights of the city
- You can pretend you’re a stately maharajah or queen as you waft about the palace halls
- The curries are amazing but if you need a break Steam has its own wood-fired pizza oven
- You can arrive in style by vintage car for a truly immersive Rajasthani experience
Rambagh Palace was once the home of the third Maharani of Jaipur, from 1939 to 1970. Read ‘A Princess Remembers’, the maharani’s memoirs, before arriving and you’ll get an insight into what life was like in the time of the Raj. The princess was quite the eccentric monarch, being raised by 500 servants in the palace and shooting her first panther at the age of 12.
Where to stay
No matter which room type you stay in, you will be in awe of the paintings and antiquities that fill each room and suite. It’s like staying in a living museum, history exuding from every wall and corridor. Each of the grand suites has been individually designed with special touches that are unique to that room. Enjoy unusual touches such as split-level white marble bathrooms, 360-degree views, upholstery inspired by Buckingham Palace, oriental architecture and embellished bathtubs.
Rambagh Palace was once the home of the third Maharani of Jaipur, from 1939 to 1970. Read ‘A Princess Remembers’, the maharani’s memoirs, before arriving and you’ll get an insight into what life was like in the time of the Raj. The princess was quite the eccentric monarch, being raised by 500 servants in the palace and shooting her first panther at the age of 12.
What to do
As well as being the ideal base for exploring Jaipur, there is so much to see within the Rambagh Palace. Join one of the enthusiastic butlers as they take you on a heritage walk through the property, regaling tales of the rich and famous who have stayed there before you. Reconnect with your inner self with a pampering spa treatment or stretch your legs in the expansive ornate gardens.
Rambagh Palace was once the home of the third Maharani of Jaipur, from 1939 to 1970. Read ‘A Princess Remembers’, the maharani’s memoirs, before arriving and you’ll get an insight into what life was like in the time of the Raj. The princess was quite the eccentric monarch, being raised by 500 servants in the palace and shooting her first panther at the age of 12.
What and Where to Eat
Rambagh Palace offers a range of menus to tempt any palate in a choice of venues. From pizzas served in a restored steam engine to menus fit for royalty in the elaborate Suvarna Mahal restaurant. Retire for a nightcap in the Polo Bar where there is a good chance you will meet the locals.
Rambagh Palace was once the home of the third Maharani of Jaipur, from 1939 to 1970. Read ‘A Princess Remembers’, the maharani’s memoirs, before arriving and you’ll get an insight into what life was like in the time of the Raj. The princess was quite the eccentric monarch, being raised by 500 servants in the palace and shooting her first panther at the age of 12.
When to travel
| Month | Temp(C) |
Sun(hrs) |
Rain(mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
Jan |
8 | 9 | 23 |
Feb |
16 | 10 | 18 |
Mar |
22 | 11 | 13 |
Apr |
28 | 12 | 8 |
May |
32 | 13 | 13 |
Jun |
33 | 12 | 74 |
Jul |
30 | 8 | 180 |
Aug |
30 | 8 | 173 |
Sep |
29 | 9 | 117 |
Oct |
26 | 11 | 10 |
Nov |
20 | 10 | 3 |
Dec |
15 | 10 | 10 |