75 Best Hotels in Rajasthan, India

This small, intimate Art Deco lodge is convenient for those heading to the national park as well as being something of a destination in its own right. Built less than a century ago as a hunting lodge for the Maharaja of Jaipur, it retains most of its original features and much of the welcoming house-party aura, but it has none of the hauteur or grandness one would expect of a Rajasthani royal property. It's rooms are large, modern, and tastefully furnished along wildlife themes–expect a tiger stripe pillow or leopard spot bedspread. The better rooms have a charming walled-in courtyard with a bonfire. Leisure activities are numerous. The grounds extend over 12 acres of lawns and gardens, and include barbeque areas. The park is 12 km (7½ miles) away.

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.

More than 500 years old, this budget and mildly eccentric hotel is located at the highest point of the Old City, just below the fort, and has a great vibe—traditional, local, and chilled out. The haveli lodging has basic accommodations yet opulent decorations, sprawled across many levels, with each room having a distinct look. The highest rooms, which are spartan, open out onto a terrace and have wonderful vistas of the Blue City; other rooms open onto a second-floor sitting area or into the courtyard. The house was gifted by the maharaja of Jodhpur to his army commander Shri Akheraj Sa Singhvi in 1778.

Spread over 4 acres, this family-friendly resort offers large rooms with private or semi-private balconies and stunning views of the surrounding Aravalli Range. Rooms are clean and well-appointed but have bland interiors. The in-house Sterling Local restobar is a nice place to unwind with a drink and finger food, while Aravali restaurant serves Indian and international fare, both a la carte and buffet. The resort can get busy and noisy during peak season and weekends.

Like a mirage in the desert, this contemporary, elegant fort-style hotel rises out of the sand, luring you to its ramparts. The interior is equally impressive: built in old-world style and constructed and carved breathtakingly from yellow sandstone, it features high ceilings, sweeping marble floors, arches, antiques, enormous courtyards, reflection pools, and spacious, richly furnished rooms. Located on the road going out to the Sam dunes, Suryagarh is isolated from Jaisalmer. Given that you are marooned in the Thar, many an amenity has been provided for—billiards, gym, pool, spa, a bar, and several restaurants. The staff also organizes a wide variety of excursions.

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.

Nestled in the Aravali hills, this haven offers secluded villa accommodations, spa treatments, and a chance to interact with the community. Dotted over 7-acres, 14 traditional-style domed villas have large bathrooms, walk-in closets, and high levels of privacy and relaxation; most have a private pool. Spa treatments are customized to suit each guest. Some of the fresh produce used in the hotel is from its attached organic garden, which you can visit. The resort supports a local school and guests are encouraged to interact with villagers—and even volunteer to teach the children if they wish.

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.

There are very few comfortable lodgings located inside Jaisalmer fort, but this is one of them---but note that it is a climb to get to rooms on higher floors or the terrace. The rooms are done in an austere but comfortable manner, and some have nice views. They showcase yellow sandstone, multihued pane doors, and colorful Rajasthani furnishings. The rooftop terraces offer grand vistas of both the city within the fort and beyond.

Long a dreamy setting for royal getaways, this fine example of Rajput architecture offers a taste of country palace living at a reasonable price (unless you choose one of the suites, which are considerably more expensive than the rooms). The rooms are spacious and feature antique carved furniture and Rajasthani paintings on the white walls. The red sandstone heritage hotel is surrounded by lush, expansive green gardens on the outskirts of Jodhpur and on the banks of Bal Samand Lake. The park around the artificial lake, built in the 12th century, contains a nine-hole golf course and other activities, plus a small bird sanctuary---but watch out for aggressive monkeys. The hotel provides bikes to cycle around the area.

Relax and enjoy the fine service, as well as the peace and quiet, at this graceful palace and fort in the Thar Desert in rural Khimsar, a two-hour drive (90 km [56 miles]) from Jodhpur. Dinner is served by candlelight in the crumbling ruins of one of the original fort towers, and if you feel like exploring, you can take a safari or tea on the nearby sand dunes. The best rooms are in the original structure; some rooms even have furniture from the 1920s. For the complete desert experience, stay in luxury tents in Khimsar village 7 km (4½ miles) from the fort.