6 Royal Palace Hotels To Stay In India

Who doesn’t want to live like a royal? India has plenty of palaces turned into hotels, where one can live out their royal dreams. Suffused with history and luxury, here are some of the lesser-known palaces you can visit in India.

# Ahilya Fort, Maheshwar

In the central state of Madhya Pradesh is Ahilya Fort, the erstwhile stronghold of Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar. She ruled here from 1765 to 1796 and built Ahilya Wada that had her personal residences, offices, and darbar audience hall. The property was converted into a hotel by her descendant, Prince Richard Holkar, in the year 2000. The fort overlooks the river Narmada and is dotted with picturesque courtyards. The hotel serves traditional regional thaalis for guests, made with recipes from the royal kitchen. The organic bageecha provides the kitchen with fresh produce; a menagerie, filled with bunnies, ducks, goats and royal pugs are a hit with children.

# Ajit Bhawan Palace Resort, Jodhpur

The epitome of Rajasthani luxury is Ajit Bhawan Palace. Built in 1927, it was made for General Maharaja Dhiraj Sir Ajit Singh Ji, younger brother of Maharaja Shri Umaid Singh of erstwhile Jodhpur State. The palace is still home to the royal family. The hotel serves Lal Maas, a specialty of the state and a typical Rajasthani thali for vegetarians.

# Chidambara Vilas, Chettinad

Chidambara Vilas is a 110-year-old heritage Chettiar home. The property was converted into a hotel post a 3-year long restoration process. This 25-room property was originally constructed in 1900 and took 7 years to build. The wood was imported from Burma, lights and mirrors from Belgium, chandeliers from Daman and Diu and tiles from Italy. The rooms are adorned with vintage hand-operated panka fans, striking wooden poster beds, and famous ‘Athangudi’ tiles, which are handcrafted by artisans from the village of the same name.

# WelcomHeritage Ferrnhills Royale Palace, Ooty

Located in the popular ‘Queen of Hills,’ a nickname given by the British is Ferrnhills Palace. The charming summer residence was owned by the royal family of Mysore. The architecture is a blend of gothic, regency and neo-classical Renaissance. Built in 1844, the Ferrnhills palace resembles a Swiss chalet. The property is close to Ooty Lake, Dodabetta Peak, and the Botanical Gardens. One can also visit the Mudumalai Wildlife Reserve and Pykara Waterfall, which are a little further away.

# Jehan Numa Palace Hotel, Bhopal

Constructed in 1890, during the rule of Nawab Sultan Jehan Begum, the palace was named after her. The Jehan Numa Palace Hotel opened its doors to visitors in September 1983. The palace is an amalgamation of British Colonial, Italian Renaissance, and Classical Greek architecture. The modern yet stately 5-star hotel is equipped with a spa, steam & sauna, swimming pool, fine dine restaurant and even a banquet hall for special events.

# Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysore

We can thank the Viceroy of India for this majestic palace. Lalitha Mahal was built by the erstwhile Maharaja Krishnaraj Wadiyar Bahadur IV of Mysore to host his most important guest, the Viceroy of India. The 54-suite palace was commissioned in 1921 and is set at the foot of Chamundi Hill. Standout architectural features include an Italianate palazzo, twin ionic columns, and a central dome. The hotel gives you a full royal experience with a magnificent balustrade staircase, life-size portraits of royal family, lithographs portraying Tippu Sultan’s skirmishes with the British, and a Belgian glass dome.