Palaces represent the epitome of luxury. Growing up in Delhi, Rajasthan was one of the states I visited most often, and their forts and palaces always left me in awe! With time, I came across many beautiful royal residences outside the state. Spending time in the ornate throne rooms, massive courtyards and tiny passageways, I often caught myself day dreaming about living like a queen in a bygone era.
Many of these palaces have now been converted into heritage hotels. So, like me, if you have also grown up dreaming about a royal life, here's my pick of the top palace hotels, outside of Rajasthan, where you can finally live your dream:
At Taj Falaknuma palace, you'll feel like a personal guest of the Nizam from the moment you arrive in a horse drawn carriage. From then on, continue to live your dream as you have meals and evening tea like the Nizam, and are waited on hand and foot (depending on your choice of room) by a personal butler
History: It's the former palace of the Nizam who was considered the richest man in the world at one point of time. The palace has been restored under the personal supervision of the Nizam’s Turkish wife.
Experience: From a spectacular arrival to a walk through history, and dining like Royalty, every experience is memorable. Book yourself into the Nizam suite and your personal butler will take care of all your needs. Make sure to have a unique culinary experience, dining under the stars at Gol Ghar.
Price: Double Rooms start at Rs. 35000 per night plus taxes
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Experience the personal hospitality of the Holkars, as Sir Richard Holkar invites you into the 18th Century home of his ancestors. With no set menu, the Prince himself curates the menu each day, and decides the location for each of your meals! Doesn't that sound royally tempting?
History: Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar built her personal residence in the fort along with offices, darbaar hall etc. In the year 2000, Price Richard Holkar, her last descendant, converted his home into a heritage hotel for the guests.
Experience: Walk through the gardens designed by the Prince, take a sunset boat ride along the river Narmada, and extend it into the night to sail across thousands of glittering diyas. Soak in the sights of Maheshwar, Mandu and Omkareshwar in the heart of India, and enjoy traditional massages.
Price: Double Rooms start from Rs. 11200 per night plus taxes
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The Royal Experience begins even before one enters this palace. Sail in a traditional wooden boat(bajra) across the waters of the Ganges, and ride one of South Asia's first elevators to reach the hotel lobby, where an unforgettable experience awaits.
History: The palace was built in 1812, and later acquired by the Maharaja of Darbhanga, who christened it Darbhanga Mahal
Experiences: Check into the Maharaja Suite to enjoy a panoramic view of the Ganges. Tuck into an all vegetarian feast, especially the Benarasi Thali. Enjoy the view of sunset from the terrace.
Price: Double Rooms start from Rs. 16999 per night plus taxes
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This palace overlooking the Dal Lake and the mighty Himalayas will make you feel like the Maharaja of the mountains
History: It was constructed in 1910 by Maharaja Pratap Singh, the Maharaja of J&K for housing the Royal Family. Over the years, the palace has hosted many dignitaries, diplomats and celebrities. A Chinar tree in the courtyard is purported to be the meeting place of Hari Singh(ruler of J&K) with Mahatma Gandhi
Experience: A Shikara ride on the Dal lake is just a stone's throw away. Enjoy the rich Kashmiri décor of the palace and sink your teeth into authentic Kashmiri cuisine at their restaurant. A walk through the scenic gardens is a must during your stay.
Price: Double Rooms starting at approx. Rs. 30000 per night plus taxes
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Walk with the Begums of Bhopal as you get entwined with history at this former royal palace.
History: Noor-Us-Sabah means “Light of Dawn,” and this residential palace is bathed in a range of beautiful morning colours. It was constructed in early nineteenth century when H.H. Hamid Ullah Khan decided to create a palace for his daughter Abida Sultan.
Experience: Take a heritage walk through the palace, relish the cuisine of the nawabs and begums, take a dip in the royal Hammam.
Price: Double Rooms starting at approx. 6500 per night plus taxes
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Enter this 200 year old palace to get a glimpse of the Ladakhi way of life, and their royalty.
History: The Stok Palace is almost 200 years old, and the abode for the Namgyal dynasty. This doors of this palace were opened to the public in 1980 by converting it into a heritage hotel with the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Experience: The monastery within the palace complex will give you immense inner peace, and an opportunity to interact with the monks. Take a tour of the museum, indulge in Ladakhi cuisine and admire the Tibetan influences in architecture.
Price: Double rooms start at Rs. 17000 per night plus taxes
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Get a taste of a Swiss Chalet at this former summer residence of the Maharaja of Mysore.
History: Fernhills Palace is the summer palace of the Mysore Maharajas. Built in 1844 by Capt. F. Cotton, it changed several hands until in 1873 His Highness Chamarajendra Wadiyar X bought this palace from the British. Since then Fernhills Royale Palace has been with the Wadiyar dynasty and continues till date.
Experience: Enjoy a heritage walk of the property, including a tour of the grounds. Tuck into the sumptuous food. Take a tour of Ooty and the Nilgiris
Price: Double rooms start at Rs. 8550 per night plus taxes
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This 140 year old palace once played host to the Price of Wales. Today, it welcomes travelers from all over the world to listen to the stories that each corner of the palace narrates.
History: Located beside Jai Vilas Palace, this white-and-yellow palace was built in 1880 by H H Maharaj Jayaji Rao Scindia (Scindia Dynasty of the Marathas). Later his grandson, Maharaja George Jiwaji Rao Scindia, made it his royal residence, where he lived until his death.
Experience: Check into one of the luxury villas to enjoy your private pool and sunbathing area. Or enter their luxury suites, riding in an 85 year old elevator. The Silver Saloon restaurant offers signature cuisine that was once a preserve of the Maratha and Nepal royal kitchens. You can sample this sumptuous fare while listening to live classical music from the Gwalior Gharana. Enjoy a heritage walk through the palace and admire the beautiful filigree work adorning every nook and cranny.
Price: Double rooms start at Rs. 11000 per night plus taxes
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Note: The hotel will be temporarily closed for renovation starting from 24th June, 2022
Offering stunning views of the Doon valley, this beautiful palace is a living museum! It is one of the oldest buildings in Mussoorie, and promises a tete a tete with history.
History: It was built in 1836 by Captain Rennie Tailour of the Bengal Engineers. In 1915, it became the summer retreat of the royal family of Kasmanda. In 1992, the main building was converted into a Heritage Boutique Hotel under the name of the Kasmanda Palace Hotel.
Experience: Explore the heritage of the palace. Enjoy the valley view and the gardens. Explore mall road located close by.
Price: Double rooms start at Rs. 8550 per day plus taxes
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Step into the colonial era while experiencing the bliss of the divine Varanasi. A heritage tour of the property in a horse drawn carriage, driven by the grandson of the Maharaja's former carriage driver, is sure to make you feel like Royalty.
History: First built by the East India Company in the late 1700s, it was then taken over by the Maharajah Prabhu Narain Singh of the Royal House of Benares from 1889. Since then, the property has belonged to the royal family.
Experience: Enjoy your Benarasi chai(tea) amidst Mango orchards, or a live barbeque by the pool as live Sitar and Tabla players mesmerize you with their music. Attend yoga sessions, or relax with a spa treatment. The heritage tour of the palace estate in a horse drawn carriage is a must do.
Price: Double rooms start at Rs. 29999 per night plus taxes
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Check out this mindful retreat from Tripoto where you can unwind at the residence of Kangra's Maharaja.
So, if you have a dream of living like royalty, here's your chance!
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