We swing off the chaotic streets of Jaipur into the grand main entrance of this rose-hued palace, and instantly everything is calm. Persian-themed gardens are filled with fountains, tamarind trees and swooping parakeets. Pink-turbaned staff wait to greet us on a sparkling colonnade porch and the Maharaja of Jaipur's vintage Thunderbird is parked up outside. But it’s once you step inside that the magic of this place really unfolds.
Avant-garde designer Adil Ahmad has added a fresh, modern twist to the palace’s illustrious royal history (past guests include Queen Elizabeth and Jackie O), re-imagining the décor in a kaleidoscope of bold hues and opulence. There’s the turquoise Polo Bar studded with trophies won by Maharajas, a shocking pink dining room, and a gilded drawing room filled with artwork from the royal family’s personal collection. As for the wallpaper, it's custom made and hand-blocked in an exquisite variety of motifs (45 in total), from prancing ponies to peacock arches. The 13 rooms and suites are just as lavish and special, with crystal chandeliers, rich velvets, Mughal carpets and massive marble bathrooms. You're in the heart of Jaipur, but a world away.
Highs
- An amazing experience, staying in a real-life palace; wonderful staff soon know you by name
- We loved the exuberant décor; there's really nowhere like it
- Relaxing on comfy cushioned loungers around the Art Deco pool
- Great food, including High Tea on the lawn; the royal recipe cheese toasts are exceptional
Lows
- The train station is a few minutes’ walk away so occasional noise filters through to outside areas
- There’s an ugly mall across the road but plans to expand the hotel will banish it from view
- No twin beds
Best time to go
The hotel is open all year. October to early April is the best time weather-wise, when it's warm and dry. December, January and February can be cold in the mornings and evenings, whilst March and April can get very hot. The scorching mid-summer months of May and June are best avoided. The monsoon breaks in July and lasts until September.
Our top tips
Get under the skin of Jaipur; the wonderful staff have bags of tips on what to see and where to shop, and the Love Jaipur guide is a trove of insider info.
- Boutique Hotel
- 13 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Bedrooms are individually styled with real verve and spirited elegance. Magnificent cut-glass chandeliers hang from high ceilings, fresh flowers in silver vases fill every room, and the sparkling marble bathrooms are so big you could hold a party in them.
Some rooms feel light and airy, like the powder-blue and ivory Mountbatten Suite with its antique four-poster bed and private drawing room with views over the gardens. Others, like the enormous and opulent 2-bedroom Maharaja Suite, are just WOW, decked in rich, vibrant velvets and bold wallpaper.
We stayed in the turquoise and hot-pink The Kennedy Suite, accessed via a grand marble staircase and through tall mirrored glass doors. Jackie O stayed in this very room for 3 months during a trip to Rajasthan in 1962. Spacious and private, it would spoil any modern-day Maharani let alone us mere mortals. We adored it.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Meals can be taken in the relaxed Colonnade with alfresco tables and views over the gardens, or in one of the formal dining quarters: the glamorously tongue-in-cheek 51 Shades of Pink or the decadent Orient Occident dining room.
Exquisitely flavoured Jaipur thalis are prepared just the way the royal family likes them, with Bhindi Masaledar (deep-fried okra) and Laal Maas (fiery red mutton curry). Mouth-watering European dishes (e.g. confit of duck with saffron risotto) and scrumptious fresh salads from the organic kitchen gardens are also on the menu. For something special, private dinners can be arranged; perhaps a candlelit supper by the pool, or a special supper at The City Palace. And don't miss a luxurious High Tea on the lawn: delectable nibbles on the prettiest chinaware. Our 'royal recipe cheese toasts' were divine.
Breakfast is an equally indulgent affair, with groaning platters of fresh fruit, masala omelettes and stuffed parathas.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Savour the palace experience: wander around the gardens, relax by the pool and take High Tea on the lawn, before taking the exploration inside to sip cocktails in the trophy-laden Polo Bar
- Take the vintage Thunderbird for a spin; tailor-made tours of the city can be arranged
- Enjoy royal perks! Staff can organise private visits to the City Palace gardens and the royal family’s sacred temples
- Watch the sport of kings: go to an elephant polo match or watch a traditional polo match from the Rajmahal's royal box
- Visit Amer Fort (aka Amber Palace) at sunset for sublime views of the city below; or the stunning Jal Mahal Palace which seems to float on the Man Sagar lake. Both are about 10km north of Jaipur
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Plantlife / flora
- Polo
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
Kids
While children are very welcome, the serene and romantic atmosphere is probably best suited to adults.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
All bedrooms except the Palace Rooms can fit a baby cot or rollaway bed for a child. The Queen Elizabeth Suite and Maharajah Suite both have 2 ensuite double bedrooms.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Rajmahal Palace is in the heart of Jaipur, in Rajasthan, northern India.
By Air:
Jaipur Sanganer (13km away) is the closest domestic airport and has links to most other Indian cities; Delhi Indira Gandhi (251km away) is the nearest international airport. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
The hotel can arrange transfers (extra cost) - enquire when booking.
By Train:
Jaipur is easily reached from Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay), Jodhpur and Sawai Madhopur. It takes 4.5-6 hours to get there from Delhi or Jodhpur by rail, depending on whether or not your train is one of the faster Express ones. The hotel can arrange transfers from the station.
By Road:
If you want to book a car and driver for your entire trip around Rajasthan, enquire through our Tailormade Tour Operator.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Rajasthan and getting around
Airports:
- Jaipur Sanganer 13.0 km JPR
Other:
- Beach 800.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km