By- Md. Mojahid Raza
Bhubaneswar: India is a magical land of fascinating history. Kings, forts, palaces, luxury and royalty are an intrinsic part of our history, culture and folklore. Since long, the lifestyle of the royals have allured many who have been enamoured by the dazzle of the majestic palaces and the extravagance of their blue-blooded residents.
With the advent of modern era, palaces and historical buildings over the country have given way to Heritage Hotels which assure a stay filled with richness and aura of the past along with warm hospitality and a vintage charm. Here is a list of some of these hotels where you can enjoy your stay like kings and queen.
- Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
Taj Falaknuma Palace, the former palace of the Nizam of Hyderabad is now a Taj heritage hotel. The palace hotel offers a rich blend of south Indian warmth with Mughal royalty. This luxurious 5-star property features a blend of colonial and Indian designs. High wood-beamed ceilings, spacious rooms furnished with pastel shades, floral fabrics, down duvets, Egyptian cotton linen and fine wood fittings make this luxury hotels one of the best in India. You can spend you leisurely afternoons in the oak-panelled Palace library housing the Nizam’s collection of rare books or in the Billiards Room or relax in the landscaped pool in the vicinity of the splendid palace.
- Hotel Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Beautifully set amidst 26 acres of lush greenery is the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the great palaces of India. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, Umaid Bhawan is a golden- yellow sandstone structure built in fashionable Indo-Saracenic Art Deco style. Converted into a heritage hotel today and owned by the famous Taj Group, all the 64 rooms and suites (Maharani Suite, Maharaja Suite, Royal Suite, Regal Suite and Deluxe Rooms) in Taj Umaid Palace are beautifully designed in royal style and show case the Art Deco style with a distinct ambience.
- Oberoi Sukhvilas, Chandigarh
Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort and Spa is a Mughal inspired luxury hotel spread over 25 acres in Chandigarh. Nestled away from the hustle-bustle of the city, it is surrounded by over 8,000 acres of the Siswan forest at the foothills of the outer Himalayas. The morning sky is a pure blue vision, while the evening one leaves you gazing at the stars. The main building houses the lobby, a restaurant (Anant Mahal), a bar (Raunaq), palatial Kohinoor Villa, Luxury Villas, Royal Forest tents, premier guest rooms and a conference room named after Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The rooms take one to the royal era- with four-poster beds, chandeliers, teak and sheesham furniture tinged in gold, deep-soaking tubs and exquisite handcrafted furnishings.
- Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
Rambagh Palace Jaipur is one of the prominent heritage hotels in Jaipur, popularly called the ‘Jewel of Jaipur’. It was built in the year 1835 for Kesar Badaran, the queen’s favorite handmaiden and was transformed into a palace in 1925. The palace was used as the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Thereafter, in 1957, it was converted into a plush hotel by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and was taken over by the Taj Hotel Group in 1972. There are 79 plush rooms and suites, featuring the use of rich fabrics and silk drapes reflecting the colors of vibrant art and warm hues of Rajasthan.
- Taj Lake Pichola Palace, Udaipur
Listed among the best hotels in the world, Taj Lake Pichola Palace is located on an island in the middle of Lake Pichola in Udaipur. The exquisite white marble Lake Palace was conceived in romance, and built as a palace in 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II. Sprawled beautifully over 4-acres against the backdrop of majestic Aravalli Mountains on one side of the lake, and towering palaces on the other, the palace is now a luxury hotel which includes a fairytale gardens and palatial rooms offering extravagant comfort and regal decor. The hotel has 66 rooms and 17 suites which offer stunning view of the lake overlooking Udaipur city.
- Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
One of the most famous hotels in the country, the Taj Mahal Hotel was opened in the year 1903 and the building reflects a perfect blend of Moorish, Oriental and Florentine architectural styles. With its classic grandeur and elegance it also gives the guests panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India. The Taj Mahal Palace hosts 560 rooms and suites which are a blend old-world charm and a range of modern facilities.
- The Imperial, Delhi
The winner of India’s best ‘Luxury Historical Hotel’ at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2015, the Imperial Delhi is a 5-star property having a vintage feel which reminds its guests of the British Raj. Constructed in the year 1931 by Blomfield, one of the associates of Sir Edwin Lutyen, the hotel was inaugurated by Lord Willingdon in 1936. Located on the Janpath, a few steps away from Connaught Place, the heritage hotel comprises of 190 rooms and 43 suites which offer a fantastic view of sprawling greenery, landscaped lawns and swimming pools.
- The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata
Establishment in the late 1880s, the Oberoi Grand is one of the best luxury heritage hotels in Kolkata, exuding a royal colonial style with modern additions. Fondly called as the ‘Large Dame of Chowringhee’, the hotel has the largest pillar-less ballroom in the city where several grand parties are hosted. The rooms and suites of the hotel are well-equipped and well-furnished and exude a vintage, colonial charm.
- Vivanta Taj Connemara, Chennai
Constructed in the year 1854 as the Imperial Hotel, Vivanta Taj Connemara is the only heritage hotel in Chennai. It was renamed ‘Albany’ in the year 1886 and then re-founded in 1890 as ‘The Connemara’. Thereafter in 1937, a new art deco look was given to the hotel. With a wonderful colonial architecture, the heritage hotel is a wonderful mix of old-world charm, and new sensibilities.
- Laxmi Niwas Palace and Hotel, Bikaner
Built between 1898 and 1902, Laxmi Niwas Palace was commissioned by Maharaj Sir Ganga Singh of Bikaner to serve his royal residence. The pink sandstone palace features like colonnaded corridors, canopied balconies adorned with intricate sandstone filigree, wooden and stone lattice work, marble courtyards, whimsical gardens and immaculate gardens. The heritage hotel boosts of splendid rooms and suites giving a taste of the Rajput grandeur.
- Hotel Nadesar Palace, Varanasi
Constructed in 1835 to serve as the royal residence of the Maharaj of Benaras, the Nadesar Palace Hotel is located amidst Mango orchards and Jasmine gardens close to river Ganges. It is Varanasi’s most expensive hotel set in the beautifully renovated former palace of the local maharaja. The heritage hotel comprises of ten rooms which exude luxury and refinement once enjoyed by royals of Varanasi.
Also Read: Unexplored Tourist Destinations Of Odisha That Are Heaven For Travellers
Ms Kalinga