TripAdvisor recently named the world’s best hotel for 2016. What’s surprising is that most of the hotel is actually a palace. Hotel Umaid Bhawan, located in Jodhpur, India, offers a unique experience for its guests. Want to feel like a king or queen for a night? Then this hotel is for you!
The Location
The hotel and palace sit on 26 acres of land. This location allows travelers to escape the busyness of some of the nearby cities. It’s conveniently located only about 15 minutes from the Jodhpur Airport so it’s fairly accessible. Nearby attractions include the Jaswant Thada monument and the Clock Tower Market.
Rooms And Amenities
There are three parts of the palace- the residence where the royal family lives, a museum that focuses on the history of the Jodhpur family, and of course, the Hotel Umaid Bhawan. There are 70 guest rooms in total that feature an art deco design. Some of the rooms have murals and attached kitchens. Room choices include the Palace Double, Royal Suite, Historical Suite and the Grand Royal Suite. All rooms have a mini-bar, an exquisite toiletry assortment, a bathtub and a flat screen TV. Guests can also get some pampering done at the Jiva Spa onsite. The spa offers steam rooms and a variety of beauty treatments. There is also a gym, tennis court and a yoga studio. For meals, there is The Trophy Bar, Pillars and Risala restaurants. Guests can enjoy the lush gardens, 2 swimming pools (including an indoor one) and the fine collection of Victorian and Edwardian antiques during the Champagne Museum walk.
What To Expect
Being that this hotel is located at a palace, guests can expect a lot of pampering. The staff works hard to ensure all of their guests needs are met. Travelers can rest assured that they will have a one of a kind experience when staying at the palace hotel. The best time to go is from October through March when it is their winter season.
These accommodations certainly don’t come cheap. On average, the cheapest room costs about $750 per night. Despite the expense, rooms do sell out fairly quickly. The palace is considered to be one of the largest private residences in the world.
