Centuries ago, palaces were synonymous with the epitome of power, magnificence, mysteries, and grace. Their majestic appearance had always stood out, intriguing the common folk enough to peek into its arena walled strong to veil its eternal beauty and glory. The growing curiosity led some of these palaces to turn into luxurious hotels for the people to experience a great blend of rich heritage and architectural finesse. So, let us delve deep into its corridors to gape at the awe-inspiring architecture, the grandeur of culture, and the rich cuisines of India.
1. Elgin Fairlawn Kolkata, Bengal
The colonial bungalow built in 1783 by an Englishman, William Ford, stands magnificently on Sudder Sreet, Kolkata. It was known as Canada House before being modified into a luxurious hotel in 1936, hosting some legendary Indian and International celebrities. Its lair stands in the city with only a minute walk to the Indian Museum and a 6-minute stroll to the nearest underground metro station. It is also just a few kilometers away from the treasured Victoria Memorial.
2. Alila Fort Bishangarh, Rajasthan
Fort Bishangarh in the Bishangarh district of Jaipur, built in the 18th century on a single granite hill, dates back to the Shahpura royalty, recreating the essence of the Maharajas back then. It stands strong as perhaps the only 230 yr old warrior fort to be converted into a heritage resort. The fortress is a unique example of the Jaipur Gharana architecture influenced by the Mughals and the British. Located at Bishangarh village in Jaipur district, barely 6 km off Delhi-Jaipur national highway, the resort is easily accessible from both Delhi and Jaipur.
3. Fort JadhavGadh, Pune, Maharashtra
The corridors of the fort await the empire of the Marathas with its strong fortress walls, secret passages, dungeons, lush lawns, canons, gun holes, escape routes, and exciting stories of courage and royalty galore. This refined beauty exists in the rolling hills of Saswad, 22 km from Pune, in the tiny village of Jadhav Wadi. Here, the names used for everything have its root nestled in history.
4. The Rajbari Bawali, Bengal
This piece of a fallen kingdom stands as a bystander to the lavish life of the Zamindars of Bengal. The Rajbari, an extraordinary architectural masterpiece, was built around 250 years ago, witnessing over 170 years of grand living, parties, and eminent guests. With the abolition of the Zamindari system after independence, the house fell into despair. Albeit in ruins, the Rajbari was salvaged and exquisitely restored to reflect the grace of a period set amidst riches and the untouched living of the time.
5. Maison Perumal, Pondicherry
The Tamil Quarter of Pondicherry, Maison Perumal, was where living was refined and cultured, giving to a way of life found nowhere else in the world. In its vicinity lies Serenity Beach, Auroville City, and Promenade Beach. For the convenience of the coming guests, the Pondicherry Airport is 6 km from the property.
6. The Figueiredo Mansion, Goa
Loutolim, a large village in the South Goa district of Goa, is a settlement in the Salcete sub-district. It houses the 5,000 sq ft sprawling arena of the Figueiredo Mansion, witnessing 432 years of redefined culture and heritage. The kitchen is run, rustling up the best of Goa-Portuguese cuisine. A few terracotta tiles hide a tunnel that once allowed the inmates to escape to the hill behind. The tunnel exists but is no longer in use, and neither is the gun holes built into the thick walls. Nevertheless, this sprawling heritage villa stands strong as a paragon of flamboyance and beauty in Goa.
7. The Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan
The Lake Palace, built between 1743 and 1746 under the direction of the Maharana Jagat Singh II (62nd successor to the royal dynasty of Mewar) of Udaipur as a summer palace, was initially called Jagniwas or Jan Niwas after its founder. This seemingly floating jewel, constructed facing east, allows its inhabitants to pray to Surya, the Hindu sun god, at the crack of dawn. Its location on an island amid a lake is responsible for breathtaking views of the neighboring City Palace, Aravalli Hills, Machala Magra Hills, and Jag Mandir. The incomparable location provides the perfect backdrop for the exquisite cuisines at the elegant restaurants of Taj Lake Palace, open only to resident guests.
8. Dune Barr House – Verandah In The Forest, Matheran, Maharashtra
Sink into a world of colonial charm with this 170-year-old British mansion, built for Captain Barr of the Royal Army and later owned by an eminent Parsi family for decades. Nestling under a canopy of towering Jamun trees, barely a hundred meters from Lake Charlotte and close to popular points like One Tree Hill and Echo Point, this stately colonial building serves hearty Continental and Mediterranean fare as well as earthy Marathi dishes from around the region. Barr House has a character that has remained firmly rooted in its colonial past and lies immersed in the natural splendor of Matheran.
9. Mahodadhi Palace, Puri, Odisha
Gaping the vast Bay of Bengal is Mahodadhi Palace, an impressive red stone monument that once was the summer palace of Maharaja Panchkot. Today, Mahodadhi Palace is a world-class hotel that offers top-of-the-line facilities for people seeking respite from mundane affairs. Mahodadhi Palace is the perfect amalgam of old-era charm, contemporary art, and absolute comfort.
10. Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Located 5 miles (8.0 km) outside the walls of the city of Jaipur on Bhawani Singh road, The Rambagh Palace in Rajasthan is the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Known as the Jewel of Jaipur, Rambagh Palace is about 3.5 km from the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and the Jantar Mantar.
11. MAYFAIR Darjeeling, Bengal
Featuring pleasant pastel shades and hints of yellow this masterpiece stands elegantly atop the hill. Mayfair Darjeeling provides classic Indian-style rooms, a wide spread of Indian specialties as well as Western and Asian dishes, and a stellar location near the Bengal Natural History Museum, Darjeeling Railway Station, and the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park.
12. Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad
Perched 2,000 feet above the city of Hyderabad is Taj Falaknuma Palace, a jewel amongst the clouds. Erected in 1894, it was the former palace of the Nizam. Its stunning interiors lend a royal touch to celebratory events and elegance to business meetings. Overlooking the City of Pearls, this enchanting palace hotel in Hyderabad exudes romance and grandeur that take one back to when the Nizam ruled Hyderabad.
13. Savoy, Ooty
Obligatory to romance, intrigue, and history lurking around a 192-year-old hotel. Going up in the 1820s, it was a school for European children in the Nilgiris. When the school fell into disuse, Royal Dawson bought it from the Christian missionaries turning it into the Dawson Hotel in 1841. Its rich anecdotal past is what sets Savoy apart, making it one of the hotels that have made it into the exclusive realm of the SeleQtions brand. It offers a slice of history, defining a location and a differentiated theme.
14. Citrus Chambers, Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
Built on the old heritage land, Citrus Chambers stands majestic and elegant. Colonial architecture, the scenic views of the green forest, and the never-ending nature trails make this a perfect hideaway for any group of people.
15. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
An epitome of royal heritage perched on Chittar Hill, Umaid Bhawan Palace inspires by majestic domes and splendid views of the Blue City of Jodhpur and the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort. It was named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present owner, Gaj Singh. The palace has 347 rooms and is the principal residence of the former Jodhpur royal family. The groundbreaking for the foundations of the building was carried out on 18 November 1929 by Maharaja Umaid Singh.
16. Jhargram Raj Palace, Bengal
The Jhargram Raj Palace is the current residence of the Malla Deb Royal family in the Jhargram district of West Bengal. A part of it is run as a Heritage Hotel by the family. The Main Building is an impression of an Italianate structure, set in carefully laid lawns and gardens. Jhargram Raj was founded around 1592 AD by Sarveshwar Singh, a General under Man Singh of Amer. He had come to conquer Bengal when Emperor Akbar granted Subehdari of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa to Raja Man Singh.
17. The Baradari Palace, Patiala
The hotel was designed in 1876 by Sahib Ranbir Singh, the younger brother of the then Maharaja, Rajinder Singh. This Singh-Mughal style of architecture has been an epitome of beauty and intellect since its inception. This palace once housed the royal family of Patiala. With the growing years, Baradari attained impressive appreciation. With grandeur and charm, the palace now serves as a heritage hotel in Patiala with every possible regal amenity on earth.
18.Wallwood Garden, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu
Two hours from Coimbatore, in the heart of upper Coonoor, lies Wallwood Garden. Earlier known as Blair Athol – it was built over a hundred years ago by a Scottish Major General, hailing from the village of Blair Athol in Scotland. The mansion has managed to retain the atmosphere of the past with tea estates and maintains its prize-winning garden of the Nilgiris, overlooking a unique pomological garden.
19. Bari Kothi Heritage Hotel, Bengal
Constructed in 1774, Bari Kothi, the ancestral house of the Sheherwali Dudhoria family, is the First Ever Restored Rustic Heritage Hotel of Murshidabad. Spread across three-fourth acres of Land and housing a Sheesh Mahal, Library, Music Room, Durbar Hall, Janana Chowk, Gaddi Ghar, Halwai Khana, and Gulabi Chawara, amongst other parts of the house; Bari Kothi is one of the most architecturally significant palaces in the region. It stands to reflect authenticity from its local workforce trained to become guides, translators, hosts, and chefs, providing you with a genuine experience of a lifetime.
20. The Laxmi Niwas Palace, Bikaner, Rajasthan
The Lalgarh Palace, in the Indian state of Rajasthan, was built for Sir Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner, between 1902 and 1926. Laxmi Niwas Palace is a part of the Lalgarh Palace but caters to the needs of a Heritage Hotel. The complex, designed by the British architect Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, is a three-story building coated in red sandstone quarried from the Thar Desert. A 106-year-old heritage palace stands as an open book that can transfer the people to a world filled with a mystically rich culture and history of the Rajputana Kings of India.
