6 Most Amazing Hotels For Perfect Stay in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Jaisalmer, the Golden City of India, may be one of the most touristy corners of Rajasthan, but it hasn’t lost its wow factor. Come for the honey-coloured hilltop sandstone fort and ancient Jain temples, and stay for the sand dunes and desert adventures. When you’re not sleeping under the stars, set up camp at any of the favourite Jaisalmer hotels.

# Sairafort Sarovar Portico

This 53-room stone mansion from the Rajput era is a feast for the eyes, with ornate arched windows, expansive lawns and a glittering courtyard pool. There’s not much to see in the immediate vicinity, but you’re only a 10-minute drive from the main Jaisalmer sights, such as the 19th-century Patwa-ki-Haveli – one of the finest residences in the region, complete with a museum – and the temple-lined Lake Gadisar.

# The Desert Palace

The Desert Palace is a gilded marvel: ceilings are painted with elaborate patterns, ornate furniture gives rooms added grandeur, and ochre and white chequerboard tiles enhance the golden sandstone of the building – particularly in the huge inner courtyard, which is a lovely spot for a nightcap. Want to learn more about the city’s heritage? The hotel is halfway between Jaisalmer Fort and the War Museum (both are a 10-minute drive away).

# Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa

While it may look like a traditional sandstone haveli on the outside, inside Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa, slick interiors and modern luxuries reign. Don’t miss a barbecue dinner at the pretty rooftop restaurant. Need to rehydrate your skin after a dusty desert adventure? A steam session followed by a rose milk bath and an Ayurvedic oil massage at the spa ought to do it.

# Chokhi Dhani Palace Hotel

With polished marble floors, glitzy suites and a grand dining hall, Chokhi Dhani Palace Hotel is as lavish as they come. If the freeform pool and Ayurvedic spa treatments don’t keep you occupied, take a taxi west to explore the labyrinthine streets of Jaisalmer Fort, stopping at the Desert Cultural Centre on the way back to see a traditional Rajasthani puppet show.

# Hotel Rang Mahal

Simple standard rooms at Hotel Rang Mahal are on the pricey side, but the rooftop bar, candlelit spa and huge pool may well be worth the extra rupees. Hilltop Jaisalmer Fort is just 3km (2mi) away – but, for a quieter sightseeing experience, take a 5-minute tuk-tuk north to see the ancient Amar Sagar Jain Temple, a small ornate complex overlooking a lake.

# Hotel Star Haveli

With fewer rooms but the same style and warm hospitality as its sister property, Shahi Palace Hotel, Hotel Star Haveli is great for budget-conscious travellers with boutique tastes. You’re free to hang out on the rooftop terrace, too. Aching after a night in the desert? Treat yourself to a top-notch Ayurvedic massage at the spa just around the corner.