4 Best Hotels in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

This century-old, somber red fort in the dusty village of Luni is now a heritage hotel offering a real get-away-from-it-all experience. It has spacious courtyards and delightful rooms that have small, arched windows called jharokhas; Rajasthani-style furniture and fabrics; and old photographs. Many of the small rooms have stairways leading to an alcove or to the bathroom. The waterwheel—now a fountain in the bar—was originally used to channel water around the fort. The restaurant has a fixed-price Indian menu. Consider a night here if you are driving from Udaipur to Jodhpur.

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.

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.

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.