51 Best Hotels in Rajasthan, India

Rural and old-fashioned, this cozy, memorable heritage hotel is the best place to stay in the city and is still home to descendants of the former maharaja of Bharatpur. The palace, a two-story rambling haveli built in 1887, sits on 50 acres of mustard and wheat fields. The interior blends Mughal and Rajput styles—each room is different, and many contain fireplaces, old brass beds, antique furniture, original tiles, and painted walls. Cheaper rooms, still pleasant, are smaller with newer furniture. The Keoladeo Park is 3 km (2 miles) away and the hotel organizes Jeep safaris or excursions.

The well-priced rooms—all with Rajasthani decor and period-style furniture—are the main reason for heading to this Bani Park haveli-hotel. While it might not be a real Rajasthani mansion, the comparatively austere lodging does still lend the haveli atmosphere---though there are more traditional offerings closer to the city. Enter through an ornate gate, and the main hotel, embellished with all the Indo-Saracenic touches, is just beyond, where the rooms face a central courtyard. The royal deluxe rooms, only a shade more expensive, are decently large with big bathrooms.

Like something out of a fairy tale, this rambling 300-year-old palace-hotel at Gandhi Chowk with comfortable, neat, and clean (but not luxurious or memorable) rooms has a breathtakingly beautiful carved exterior that incorporates turrets, arched doorways, windows, and balconies. Its wedding-cake-looking Badal Vilas is the tallest structure outside the fort and includes the Tazia Tower, a delicate five-tier pagoda carved by Muslim craftsmen; each tier has an intricately carved balcony.

Abutting the eastern wall of the City Palace, this haveli from 1910 has been refurbished into a design-forward boutique hotel with an expansive central courtyard. Each spacious room has a foyer in striking blue or terracotta with tone-on-tone chandelier, a large bathroom with custom-made toiletries, and a light-filled bedroom in neutral colors and a contemporary four-poster bed. The overall look is pared down and modern with touches of Rajasthani motifs and architectural elements. A highlight is the rooftop pool with cow-head fountain spouts and sweeping views of the Old City and the City Palace (which looks particularly enchanting after sunset). The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating and serves North Indian cuisine with a focus on Mewari and Rajasthani classics. The hotel organizes offbeat experiences like a breakfast trail in the Old City, curated shopping tours, and a champi (vigorous head massage) by the pool.

A 10-minute walk from the Golden Fort, this 18th-century haveli exudes old-world charm and is owned and run by descendants of the Maharaja Kesri Singh, who ruled over Jaisalmer during the 1700s. Rooms vary in shape, size and style; most of them contain antique furniture and authentic family portraits, but quite a few lack windows. Built of compact golden sandstone, the property sits bang across the Jaisalmer "0" milestone (from where distances are measured), and has two small courtyards, fountains, and a lounging area with interesting, quirky antiques, trophies, and portraits.

Built in 1928 by a commander for the Jaipur army as a vacation home, this sprawling heritage hotel, where peacocks strut through the expansive lawn, evokes visions of days past. The rooms are brightly decorated in traditional style, and the lobby begs travelers to sit and admire the grand architecture. Meals, including a breakfast buffet, are available in the lavish dining room; for dinner, you're best bet is to walk across the lawn to Bar Palladio for classic cocktails and its Mediterranean menu.

Scoring high on location and heritage, this 300-year-old rambling haveli with an opulent feel is close to the clock tower in Old Jodhpur and has views of Mehrangarh Fort. The spacious rooms—most of which overlook courtyards or verandas with fountains—are decorated in traditional designs and packed with modern amenities. The public spaces have some very unusual antiques on display. The rooftop restaurant, also the spot where breakfast is served, is one of the best in the city for views, though the food is just OK.

Set on 40 acres of grounds and featuring activities such as tennis and billiards, this family-run heritage hotel built in 1893 is a sophisticated and hospitable getaway with something of the feel of a regal hunting lodge. Rooms are large and beautifully decorated; suites, which each have their own special color scheme, are majestic. Besides once being the summer residence of the Maharaja Ganga Singhji, the maharaja of Bikaner, this building was for decades the center of Mount Abu's aristocratic social life. There's an elegant restaurant serving Indian, Rajasthani, Gujarati, and continental cuisine.

This eye-catching edifice in a delicate pink stone on a low hill is one of the first landmarks visible as you enter the outskirts of Pushkar town coming from Jaipur. Inside, vast expanses of marble and white gives a sensation of immense space and grandeur, and the stylish and modern rooms have a touch of Rajasthani flair and most have a swing (!) and balcony. The royal looking accommodations are large, though the complex is relatively new and is run by the Taj Group and focuses on service.

Located on the periphery of the older northeastern quarter, with marvelous views of Mehrangarh, this pricey hotel is away from the thick of the commotion of Jodhpur, yet still offers a real flavor of the city---and the personal service is amazing. Combing a skillful blend of old and new elements, the hotel lobby and plush rooms are housed in new buildings, while the restaurants and bar are out back in 18th-century havelis. Raas has probably the only pool in Jodhpur with a sumptuous view of the fort.

Designed like a zenana mahal (queen's palace), this intimate hotel offers a taste of royalty, both in design and service. Its opulent jewel-toned interiors, extravagant chandeliers, hand-painted walls, thikri (glass mosaic) art, and the Raffles signature palms that dot the property (particularly in the soaring atrium) all scream luxury but balanced with a homely, lived-in vibe and personalized service. Each room has a unique design and decor—some in salmon pink, others in sunny yellow—but all are spacious and come with balconies (some with hammam-style tubs) or private gardens (some with temperature-controlled pools). The atrium houses Safir, a tea and Champagne lounge while the blue-walled Writer's Bar with tall bookshelves and a dramatic spiral staircase is perfect for an evening cocktail—try the Jaipur Sling made with gin and the local heritage herbal liqueur, Chandr Haas. The Arkaa restaurant serves North Indian cuisine in a palatial setting, while the rooftop Sehara is a Mediterranean restaurant right by the infinity pool.

Set on 47 acres of lawns punctuated by arcaded patios with fountains, courtyards, long colonnades, and prancing peacocks, this wistfully romantic palace was one of the first in Jaipur to be converted into a heritage hotel and is one of the most classically elegant properties in India. Simply the best address in town, it was once home to the last maharaja of Jaipur and his legendary and beautiful wife, Gayatri Devi, and preserves much of its history while providing up-to-the-minute comforts thanks to being run by the Taj group. You are nothing less than royalty yourself when you check into 19th-century Rambagh Palace, as shown by such details as the shower-of-petals welcome to the room butler (in some rooms) ready to attend to your every need. Standard rooms are spacious and largely contemporary, while opulent historical and royal suites have traditional furnishings and Shekhawati-style frescoes. Public spaces are packed with marble, domes, dainty arches, filigree work, and antiques. There's even a train parked in the corner of its grounds that has been converted into a fun restaurant, Steam.

A great place to experience the lifestyle of Rajput nobility, this 17th-century desert fortress 40 km (25 miles) south of Jodhpur is both a heritage hotel and the home of its Rajput family, whose members are your hosts. The public rooms are decked out in original paintings, family photographs, and weapons, while guest rooms have traditional carved furniture and colorful hand-blocked prints, and some even have swings. Horseback safaris (Rs. 2,500 for about two hours) are a specialty, as there are plenty of bird species and other animals nearby—keep an eye out for the peacocks strutting on the hotel lawn. Trips can be organized to Bishnoi (tribal villages) and cooking classes are also available.

Done up in pastel colors and elegant decor, this former family home-turned-boutique hotel exudes a warm, homely atmosphere. Rooms and suites are spacious, with hand-painted walls, pretty rugs, chandelier-lit marble bathrooms, and high-end amenities. There are plenty of lounges and verandas to relax in, as well as an infinity swimming pool. The in-house restaurant offers a Rajasthani thali and an a la carte menu, both featuring family recipes; international fare is also served along with a small selection of wines, beers, cocktails, and spirits.

Once the royal guesthouse, where the maharaja of Udaipur had his guests stay, gracious Shiv Niwas on Lake Pichola is another part of the City Palace complex, and still features plenty of antiques and royal memorabilia in its decor. The white stone pool and the gardens add to the magical ambience. Half its accommodations are in the better-maintained suites, but even the regular palace rooms are chic and large with a sitting area and a desk. Some rooms are dated and could benefit from a renovation, so ask to see a couple of options.

Part of the haughty City Palace complex, this 19th-century retreat on the eastern bank of Lake Pichola is run by the Taj group and oozes stateliness and history—royal portraits, antiques, chandeliers, ornate ceilings, and an abundance of crinkled-edged arches set the tone. Rooms and suites are spacious, with marble floors, furnished with silks and period furniture; some have window seats (one has a swing as well) and great views. The dining opportunities of this hotel are equally memorable—you can opt for lake-view breakfasts, a sunset terrace tea, or a poolside dinner.

Outside the Old City, this hotel offers a respite from the hustle and bustle, and what it lacks in excitement, it makes up for in hospitality and subdued charm—and children will enjoy the nightly puppet show. The modern rooms are tasteful and spacious with rich furnishings, though they lack the artful decorations of other hotels in the city. Some rooms overlook the pool and some the garden, and second-floor rooms have small balconies. Marwar, the multi-cuisine restaurant with a large breakfast buffet, is open all day, while The Good Earth is open for dinner and offers Cantonese and Sichuan cuisines. For a drink, The Bar, which is open all afternoon and evening, serves cocktails and bar snacks, and the Poolside Grill serves Indian barbecue in the evenings.

While a stay at Trident—built to look like a rambling haveli 9 km (5 miles) from the center of town—does not offer the authentic royal experience, it does make for an interlude of gracious living. The property looks out onto the Mansagar lake and its exteriors are of light pink stone. Interiors feature the finest Rajasthani marble, with rooms furnished in soothing colors; opt for a lake-facing room.

A more moderately priced option among Udaipur's luxury hotels, the Trident is removed from the downtown bustle, amid acres of beautiful gardens on Lake Pichola. The architecture is striking, but the lobby, decorated in white marble arches lacks grandeur. Rooms, done mainly in white, facing the garden or pool, are well equipped and modern, though nondescript. The restaurant serves Indian and continental dishes (buffet and à la carte) at lunch and dinner.

It's hard to pass up regal accommodations at moderate prices in luxury-driven Udaipur, particularly when the hotel's rooftop is one of the liveliest places in town. Every room in this towering boutique hotel across Lake Pichola from the City Palace, re-created to look "heritage," is decorated with antique furniture and art that relate to specific regions and people in Mewar history—evidence of personal involvement of the Rajput owners. Most of the rooms lack lake views, but from the hotel pool and from the rooftop restaurant, which serves Indian and international cuisine, you get spectacular views of the Udaipur skyline. There's also a center courtyard garden to while away time.

One of those faux havelis that abound in the Bani Park neighborhood, this small, comfortable hotel does a zealous job of re-creating old Rajasthani charm with colored glass windows, Mughal arches, ornate ceilings, mirror work, murals, old photographs and portraits, painted peacocks, turrets, and a giant entry arch. Rooms are masterfully decked out with dark green marble floors and period-style furniture. The rooftop restaurant serves wholesomely made Indian cuisine and even a few continental dishes. It has an annex hotel around the corner—Umaid Bhawan—with similar rooms and facilities.