37 Best Hotels in Rajasthan, India

This ultraexclusive 250-year-old white-marble palace—location for the James Bond film Octopussy—floats like a vision in the middle of Lake Pichola, and you arrive, of course, by boat. A stay here is one of those do-before-you-die experiences—a blue lake, views of fairy-tale havelis, serenity, beauty, and majesty will be hallmarks of your stay. It is easily one of the most romantic hotels in the world. Rooms range from standard (contemporary but elegant) to opulent suites with private butlers and lake-facing Jacuzzis; most have lake views while others overlook the lily pond or courtyard, the scene of nightly folk dances. Romantic boat trips include onboard spa treatments, and there's a lakeside veranda where you can sip martinis, James Bond–style—but there's a catch. You must be a guest at the hotel to indulge in any of these luxuries.

In the heart of the Old City, this gorgeous and opulent haveli—one of the most popular family-run heritage hotels in Jaipur—is a pretty and relatively quiet sanctuary with a popular pool, numerous courtyards, and elegant rooms featuring carved antique furniture, restored frescoes, crystal chandeliers, and hunting paraphernalia. Built in 1892, it belongs to a clan of Shekhawati Rajputs; it is a chance to experience the real royal Rajasthan affordably. Guest rooms, with rug-covered tile floors and traditional Rajasthani-print bedspreads, vary in shape and size.

This luxurious boutique guesthouse is steeped in the folklore of Lord Krishna, with the interiors painstakingly hand-painted with scenes from his life as well as themes of festivals and nature. Each of the seven rooms and two suites is uniquely designed—some with lotuses, others with birds—and feature window seats, comfy beds, spacious bathrooms, and high-quality amenities. The garden is a mini fruit orchard, dotted with tables and block-printed sun umbrellas. There are plenty of cozy nooks and a library to lounge in, a pretty terrace with chevron flooring, and a mid-sized pool to cool off in. Meals are prepared in the onsite kitchen by local home chefs and range from Rajasthani fare to global cuisines. The hosts are warm and friendly, making it a point to meet all guests for high tea or a meal, and are in-the-know about everything that is interesting and cool in Jaipur. They also conduct hands-on cooking classes and take you on curated walks to meet Old City artisans and see how traditional crafts are practiced.

This fabulous 32-acre luxury retreat, 20 minutes outside Jaipur and set against a hilly backdrop, is a destination unto itself, whether you want to splurge on a private villa with its own pool, enjoy a spacious standard room, or revel in a romantic luxury tent with rich wood fittings on grounds that are home to hundreds of peacocks. Re-created to look like a grand heritage fort, the resort brings back to life a certain majesty and romance of another age. Honey-gold buildings, orchards, reflection pools and fountains set the tone, though the marble-and-stone carving blends well with the arid environment. Standard double rooms are minimalist in concept, but the real standout is the sunken marble bathtubs, which look out over private gardens.

On Lake Pichola, with sublime views of the Lake Palace, City Palace Complex, and ghats, this 30-acre property—a contemporary palace in its own right, reflecting the beauty of Mewar artistry—is one of India's most luxurious (and expensive) hotels. If the hotel organizes your pick up, you will arrive by boat. For the ultimate experience, take a suite with butler service and a semiprivate infinity pool, and watch deer approach the edge of the hotel's private wildlife reserve. Traditionally dressed staff reflect old-world courtesy and display acute attention to detail, and the restaurants serve delicious continental and Indian food. The Oberoi consistently makes the lists of most luxurious hotels in the world and has been used as the opulent background for many a Bollywood movie.

On the edge of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, this resort, one of the best in all of India, is ideal for those who want to "camp" in sheer luxury. A ceremonial gateway leads to a magical lobby with beautiful frescoes and a splendid residential area, where sumptuous, romantic a/c tents evoke all the magnificence of the former royal lifestyle. The tents have teakwood floors, walled gardens, private decks, and claw-footed bathtubs as well as modern conveniences like televisions, DVD players, and electronic safes. The spa offers massages, scrubs, and ayurvedic treatments. The resort requests you to book your jungle trips in advance. Guided tours of the grounds can be arranged with staff.

This lavishly restored hotel has a long history of serving royalty (Queen Elizabeth once stayed here), though it’s much more opulent now than it was in the 1960s. The ultra-luxury palace (it’s still owned by Jaipur royal family) has just 13 rooms outfitted with marble bathrooms, chandeliers, and custom-made wallpaper to reflect a modern interpretation of Rajasthani grandeur. Be warned, it’s one of the more expensive hotels in all of Rajasthan, but if you want to splurge, or are visiting during off-season (when it’s highly discounted), you’ll be treated to high tea and even higher levels of service. There are three restaurants and a bar. The Colonnade, decked out in green and pink with a view of the palace lawns, is a favorite spot for breakfast.

Hidden amid the lanes of the Pink City, this stately and rambling heritage hotel built for a prime minister of the royal court in the mid-19th century preserves its Rajasthani character and harbors a few surprises, including elegant gardens and a beautiful open-air pool with poolside bar. Rooms are spacious and opulent, including the luxurious quarters of the local Rajput himself. Arranged around two courtyards, the hotel contains some original frescoes; low arches and mazelike corridors also add to the character. Walk up the elephant ramp entrance, built to accommodate the pachyderm-riding guests at a Samode clan wedding, and you are arriving at a royal manor built in the popular Indo-Saracenic style of the time.

You can live like (and alongside) royalty at this magnificent palace, one of Rajasthan's grandest hotels, where the royal treatment begins the moment you arrive: bugles sound, drums play, petals are strewn at your feet, and an ornate canopy comes up to welcome you. Still home to the titular Maharaja of Jodhpur and his family, who live in a separate and distant wing away from guests, this Taj group-managed hotel has a massive, domed lobby, lavish public rooms filled with objets d'art, and many guest rooms that, though not opulent, are in Art Deco style, with large luxurious bathrooms.

Splurge on a small suite, if you can.

There's a beautiful, astrology-theme subterranean pool that was built for the ladies of the palace, though sunbathers will prefer the one in the garden. The property has been featured in many movies and has hosted at least one international celebrity wedding.

This enchanting palace and village complex has several intriguing perks—like a pool with waterfalls and caves; a lobby stuffed with atmospheric royalty-related memorabilia, such as portraits of maharajas, spears, and heads of deer; and even a garage full of royal vintage cars available for rent. The individually styled rooms are a funky mix of contemporary designs and traditional Rajasthani fabrics and artifacts; some even have trees growing inside. The prettiest rooms are located within round hut-style thatched cottages with mud-walled verandas that have swings. Attached baths are large with tubs and loads of sparkling granite/marble. In peak season nightly outdoor dinners feature live entertainment. Horseback riding, village tours, and safaris can be arranged. While it's located a good 10-minute tuk tuk ride from the Old City, this place still puts you close to boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants.

Mere minutes from the gate of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, this fully tented camp is glamping at its best with expansive Mughal-inspired tents. Each apartment-sized tent (108 square mt [1,162 square ft]) is done up in warm colors and classic furnishing with a king or twin bed, oversized day bed, twin writing desks, and a large bathroom with bathtub, shower area, and smart toilet. There's also a separate seating-dining area and a private sundeck. Meals are a mix of Indian and international cuisines, mostly made with produce from the camp's own organic garden. Apart from wildlife safaris with a trained naturalist, fort treks, horse-riding, and a cruise on the Chambal River are also on offer. After an adventurous day, relax in the stepwell-style swimming pool or indulge in traditional Ayurveda-inspired treatments at the spa.

Named after the former hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Jaipur (which still stands in ruins inside Ranthambore Tiger Reserve), this boutique resort features traditional Rajasthani architectural influences like arches and jharokhas as well as a large baoli or stepwell-style swimming pool. The wildlife motif runs throughout with hand-painted murals of tigers, leopards, and other animals adorning the walls of common spaces. Rooms sport modern decor and are set around a large lawn; lower-floor rooms have private plunge pools while those on the upper floor come with views of the Aravallis. Cuisine is a mix of Rajasthani and international fare as well as healthy, vegan, and gluten-free options. The on-site Sansha spa offers indulgent treatments that are great post-safaris, and evenings feature folk performances, bonfire, and guided stargazing sessions.

Set in a restored 1921 home, this sprawling boutique hotel is an intricately carved sandstone structure with individually styled rooms, all of which look out over the garden. Room decor steers clear of Rajasthani kitsch and is understated with vintage furnishing, a cozy window nook, and spacious bathroom. The rooftop infinity pool is perfect to relax in (with a view of the neighborhood) or get a champi (vigorous head massage) in the garden. The in-house restaurant and bar—both called Old Loco—serve great cocktails with Indian and global cuisine. The hotel collaborates with local entrepreneurs and creatives to offer curated experiences that range from tours of top attractions to offbeat trails in and around the city.

The main reason to stay at this dramatic-looking royal retreat is to avoid taking on the twisting round-trip between Ranakpur and Udaipur in one day, because it's just a short drive from the Jain temple. It offers traditionally decorated, enormous rooms; some of the suites have Jacuzzis. Interestingly, it is not native to Ranakpur. It once stood neglected, outside of Udaipur, and brick by brick—65,000 in all—it was migrated to this new, prettier location in 2002. The honeymoon suite has a traditional wedding swing-bed hung from the ceiling and needs to be booked in advance.

Environmentally friendly, community-minded, luxurious, and with an interesting backstory, this is one of Udaipur's notable boutique hotels, perched atop a hill adjacent to the Monsoon Palace. Originally in Bhilwara, around 160 km (100 miles) away, this small palace belonging to the Kelwa Rajput family was moved here, stone by stone, in 2007 and reconstructed using the Vedic architectural principles of Vaastu Shastra (think Indian feng shui). Antique doors and windows were also utilized. Rooms have elegant dark-wood furniture and pastel frescoes depicting concepts of Vedic science and are very large. The hotel has a water recycling plant, and windmills and solar panels produce electricity. The hotel has three pools, and the highest pool is one of the best with spectacular city views, as does the hotel's main restaurant. There's an interesting collection of vintage cars on the grounds—one of them is parked in the main portico.

The hotel might not be particularly convenient, but its architecture and interior design are interesting, and the suites are quite luxurious. Inside, French-style features are blended with historic Marwari touches: the large entryway once belonged to a 16th-century haveli from the local fort. Standard rooms are Western, with contemporary furnishings, but take a suite and you'll get frescoes and antique beds with pure silver bedposts. The restaurant, Sonal, serves à la carte Indian, Chinese, and continental food, and the rooftop bar is good for sunset and fort views. Bathrooms could be better.

Built of golden sandstone, this hotel away from the city center is spacious and elegant, and the rooms, with balconies, are arranged in haveli-style blocks around a series of small interior courtyards with skylights and fountains. Interiors feature traditional Rajasthani motifs and large, lovely windows; the suites are spacious and worth the price. The property includes two restaurants, a bar, a swimming pool, and a small spa. The hotel, popular with foreign tour groups, is run by IHCL under the SeleQtions brand (the same group that runs Taj Hotels).

Centrally located, this large and sumptuous ITC chain hotel is a luxurious refuge from hectic downtown Jaipur. Decor is plush and elegant, with bathrooms in green granite; rooms sprawl in red-stone blocks that face a central garden, pool, and main building with a splendid marble lobby decorated with lattice screens.

Rooms at this historic, Taj group–managed palace hotel are modern but plush, and many overlook 18 acres of lavish Mughal-style gardens. Located in the Civil Lines, quite close to the state governor and chief minister's residence, this hotel built in 1745 was once the home of the local prime minister and later Jaipur's British surgeon general Dr. Thomas Hendley, who was well-known for his artistic contribution to the city. Rooms are accented in either dramatic blue or a cheerful pink, and ground floor rooms have garden terraces. The hotel has three restaurants (all serving different cuisines) and a golden-hued bar where you can sip cocktails in an elegant ambience.

Ensconced in a brick-red 19th-century haveli in Old City's Johari Bazaar (jewelers' market), this beautifully designed boutique hotel combines traditional Rajasthani design with contemporary touches. In keeping with its location, each of the hotel's room is named after a gemstone and is done up in the corresponding color, and features scalloped arches, antiques, and vintage furnishing. The extra-large bedroom is flanked by a living room, powder room, and bathroom—the latter stocked with luxury amenities. Food is largely modern Indian and vegetarian, beautifully plated and quite delicious. The Johri & Sons bar is popular with Jaipur's swish set and serves up inventive cocktails along with a small selection of bar snacks.

Sumptuous lawns and views, grand terraces, palace pomp, and an interesting range of activities for guests—horse dancing, bagpiper recitals, puppet shows, snooker—are the highlights of Laxmi Vilas, a former palace constructed in 1911. Located on a gentle hill facing Pichola's sister lake, the Fateh Sagar, it was built by the worthy Maharana Fateh Singh, who constructed many of the mahals in this town. He also built the Connaught Dam as a small welcoming present for Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, Queen Victoria's son who visited in 1889. Its rooms are large, many with lake views and window seats and attractively furnished in earthy colors with pretty wall screens. The hotel company has also undertaken social responsibility initiatives, including an employment program for acid-attack survivors and LGBT rights and awareness programs.

Built to mimic the royal palaces of Rajasthan, this sprawling resort has pristine white exteriors with blue accents (channeling Jaipur's blue pottery), ornate jaalis (latticed screens), and silver-lined chhatris (domes). Marble corridors sport vibrant frescoes and intricate thikri mirror work. The spacious rooms and suites are done up in pastel pinks, blues, or yellows and have sumptuous furnishing and marble flooring. Many of them have private balconies, terraces, or courtyards; the royal villas with outdoor daybed, temperature-controlled plunge pool, and butler service are worth the splurge. Relax in one of the breezy pavilions dotted around the property, take a refreshing dip in the large common pool, or book a spa appointment (the therapy rooms have gorgeous Aravalli views). Right by the pool is the Jharokha Bar adorned with lotus-design chandeliers where you can stop for an afternoon tea or evening cocktail. The hotel has three restaurants: the all-day dining Sukh Mahal serves Indian and international fare, the cozy Preet Mahal is for Italian cuisine (the pizzas are fantastic), and the dinner-only Mohan Mahal is designed like the Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors) and serves royal Rajashani meals in a candle-lit ambience. 

You arrive at this art-filled domed palace aboard an EV boat (the only lakefront hotel operating them for transfers) to a shower of rose petals and musicians welcoming you to the lobby. The hotel is packed with Mewari wall murals, embroidered tapestries, marble sculptures, thikri mirror work, and silverware, all of which can be admired on a guided palace art walk (complimentary). Rooms and suites are spacious with elegant, contemporary interiors punctuated by Rajasthani motifs and crafts—of particular note is the furniture embossed with tarkashi work, which involves intricate brass-wire motifs set in dark wood. Bathrooms are massive and come with exclusively crafted bath amenities. Most meals are at The Dining Room, which offers a mix of Indian and global fare, while the lakefront al fresco Sheesh Mahal restaurant is open for dinner, where you can savor Indian fine dining with a view of the lit up City Palace and Old City. The hotel organizes city tour experiences as well as ceremonial rituals like morning prayers at the 16th-century Shiva temple on the palace premises and evening folk music and dance in the central courtyard.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.