Heritage Hotels of India

The 'Heritage Hotel' concept originated in Rajasthan and has since spread throughout India. Many property owners who still inhabit their ancestral homes could no longer afford their upkeep and rather than let them go to ruin, they decided to open their doors to the public by converting them into mostly small atmospheric hotels.

These tend to be located in small rural villages and give you a chance to really get to the heart of the country and its people. Find out more about the land through which you are travelling and see how things were in bygone years. These hotels are wonderful places to stay.

Each of the hotels listed below have been included in our Golden Triangle, Rajasthan Heartlands or Palaces and Forts of Rajasthan suggested itineraries. However, there are a great many more heritage hotels to be found throughout India as many property owners have followed the trend. Visit our website www.westernoriental. com for details of further heritage hotels, all of which can be incorporated into our suggested itineraries.

	Brijraj Bhavan Palace This beautiful palace is situated on the banks of the Chambal River. Originally built in 1830 as the British Residency, it now belongs to the Maharaja of Kota.

	Castle Bijaipur Standing high on a plateau of the great Vindhyachal ranges of southern Rajasthan, the 16th century Castle Bijaipur is now a small, cosy hotel owned and run by the local ruling family.

	Castle Mandawa This is a magnificent, mid-18th century fortress which lies in the heart of the town, with rambling wings, lofty domes, ramparts and turrets that have withstood countless battles.

	Gajner Palace A former hunting lodge of the Maharaja, Gajner Palace has been beautifully renovated to form a hotel rich in architectural grandeur.

	Hill Fort Kesroli This delightful, 14th century, seven-turreted fort sits in the open countryside, encircled by a distant ring of hills.

	Khimsar Fort A beautifully restored, early 16th century fort, perched on the edge of the Great Thar Desert overlooking a large garden with a glorious shallow swimming pool and various rambling wings.

	Laxmi Vilas Palace This charming late 19th century palace was originally built in 1887 for the younger brother of the Maharaja of Bharatpur.

	Neemrana Fort Palace Neemrana Fort Palace is situated on a majestic plateau, concealed in a horseshoe formation of the Aravalli ranges.

	Pachewar Garh This 300 year old fort with its massive ramparts, turrets and gates is now a small hotel, family run with great care and attention.

	Rawla Narlai Once a favourite hunting lodge of the Jodhpur royal family, this 17th century fortress is now a peaceful hotel centred around a beautiful garden alive with bougainvillaea.

	Rohet Garh This fortified desert home of the descendants of the Rathores is now a comfortable, small hotel on the banks of a lake teaming with birdlife.

	Samode Haveli Owned and run by the Samode Royal Family who maintain their residence here, this is a gem of a place, hidden away in the old city of Jaipur.

	Taj Lake Palace This wonderful 250 year old palace seems to float majestically on the still waters of Lake Pichola. With dining on secluded terraces or on a lake pontoon, romance abounds.

	Umaid Bhawan Palace Perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace is the last of the great palaces of India.

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