Rajasthan is a magical land of enchanting palaces, towering forts, charming Havelis, mouth-watering cuisine, and entertaining cultural festivity.
But one of the region’s greatest allure is the opportunity to stay in some great heritage hotels (former palaces and Castles) and safari-themed luxury camping sites that replicate the royal hunting experiences of a princely bygone era.
Looking to travel to Rajasthan in 2024? Here is a list of the top luxury hotels and resorts in the region.
Contents
- 1. The Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
- 2. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
- 3. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
- 4. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
- 5. The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur
- 6. Aman-i-Khas, Ranthambore (Sawai Madhopur)
- 7. Samode Haveli, Jaipur
- 8. The Leela Palace, Udaipur
- 9. Taj Fateh Prakash Palace, Udaipur
- 10. Rajmahal Palace RAAS, Jaipur
- 11. Raas Chatrasagar, Pali
- 12. Amanbagh, Ajabgarh
- 13. Six Senses Fort, Barwara
- 14. Mihir Garh, Jodhpur
- 15. RAAS, Jodhpur
- 16. Sujan Serai, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
- 17. The Raj Palace by Small Luxury Hotels of The World, Jaipur
- 18. Sujan Sherbagh, Ranthambore
- 19. Sujan Jawai CAMP
- 20. Alila Fort, World of Hyatt, Bishangarh
1. The Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
The Rambagh Palace was built in 1835 as a royal guesthouse. Later on, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh converted into a residential palace in the early 20th century. Now transformed into a modern luxury hotel, it has won Trip Advisor’s “Best Luxury Hotel in the World” award.
Set in 47 acres of lush green gardens, the Rambagh Palace features 78 luxurious suites and rooms equipped with the finest luxuries of a modern 5-star hotel. The Rambagh Palace has had the distinction of serving the last Viceroy of India Lord Louis Mountbatten, and other dignitaries like Prince Charles, and Jacqueline Kennedy.
Ranked no. 1 in TripAdvisor’s 2023 Best Luxury Hotels in the World, the Rambagh Palace—the erstwhile residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur— is arguably one of India’s finest luxury accommodations that ranks alongside the best in the world.
Our Expert Rating: 9.5/10
Amenities: Exclusive royal butlers, spa, concierge services, polo bar, fine-dining restaurants, J Wellness Circle, Horse carriage rides, vintage car rides.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 770 per night per room.
2. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
At the time of its construction, the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur was one of the largest private residences in the world. It is still the sixth-largest palace/residence in the world. It was commissioned by Maharaja Umaid Singh (whom it was named after in 1928). Construction was completed in 1943. Its architectural design is a stunning fusion of Indo-Saracenic, Tudor, Italian, and British Raj traditions.
Umaid Bhawan Palace, built by the grandfather of the current Maharana Gaj Singh, is the finest luxury heritage hotel in Jodhpur. Perched on Chittar Hill, it gives you panoramic views of the “Blue City,” the grand Mehrangarh Fort, and the vast dunes of the mighty Thar Desert.
Our Expert Rating: 9.5/10
Amenities: J Wellness Circle Spa, Yoga, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, 24-hour business center, yoga facility, billiards and pool tables, squash courts, golf course.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 840 per night per room per night.
3. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
The Taj Lake Palace is located in the middle of a man-made island in the scenic Lake Pichola. Originally known as Jag Niwas Palace, this shining white palace made from the same marble as the Taj Mahal was constructed by the Maharaja of Udaipur in the 1740s as a summer getaway for the royal family.
Offering 65 royal rooms and suites, the Taj Lake Palace is one of the finest heritage accommodations in Udaipur and gives you an authentic glimpse of the royal Mewari way of life. Ever since it served as the secret lair of the glamorous Bond Girl in the famous James Bond movie Octopussy (1983), it has enjoyed a cult status with high-end travelers to Udaipur.
The Taj Lake Palace was converted into a modern luxury heritage hotel in 1963, making it the first heritage palace hotel in Rajasthan. Since then, it has retained its position as one of the state’s most remarkable 5-star accommodations.
Our Expert Rating: 9.5/10Amenities: Romantic private boat rides in Lake Pichola, multiple specialty restaurants, swimming pool, spa, gym.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 750 per night per room.
4. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
The Oberoi Udaivilas is located on the banks of Lake Pichola in the charming “City of Lakes” Udaipur. It boasts fine architecture featuring interconnected domes, sprawling manicured gardens, and Udaipuri royal-themed décor.
Notable facilities at the Oberoi Udaivilas include a large swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a yoga and wellness center, multiple specialty restaurants, and a signature Oberoi Spa.
The Oberoi Udaivilas was ranked as the No. 1 Resort in India by the Travel+Liesure World’s Best Awards 2022. Offering spacious luxury rooms and suites, high-class hospitality, exquisite cuisine, and a world-class spa experience, the Oberoi Udaivilas is a splendid accommodation.
Our Expert Rating: 9.5/10
Amenities: gym, swimming pool, yoga center, wellness Oberoi Spa, multiple dining options.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 700 per night per room.
5. The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur
The Oberoi Rajvilas is an homage to the martial tradition of the Rajput race with its flaming Mashaal torches, spartan décor, arched hallways, sprawling gardens, and reflecting pools.
Located a mere 8 km from the city center, the Oberoi Rajvilas comes with a range of facilities like an outdoor swimming pool, several specialty restaurants and bars, luxurious rooms and suites, and 24/7 room service.
Located in the heart of the city on Goner Road, the Oberoi Rajvilas offers exquisite suites and rooms, as well as luxury tents inspired by the era of Maharajas. Its fine dining restaurant “Surya Mahal” is particularly famous for Rajasthani cuisine.
Our Expert Rating: 9.5
Amenities: Swimming pool, bars, multiple dining options, guided tours of Jaipur.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 580 per night per room.
6. Aman-i-Khas, Ranthambore (Sawai Madhopur)
What is now the Ranthambore National Park was the favorite private hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur—a land of the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian leopards, Gaurs (bisons), and many other exotic species. This amazing wildlife destination offers a safari experience that is considered amongst the best in all of North India.
Located on the fringes of the Ranthambore National Park, the Aman-i-Khas is a luxury camp experience par excellence that is reminiscent of the royal hunting expeditions of the past. Offering daily jeep safaris to the Ranthambore, the Aman-i-Khas boasts modern amenities like outdoor swimming pools, a spa, and multiple restaurants.
Adding a tiger-spotting safari is a great way to chalk out a well-rounded tour to Rajasthan. Ranthambore is the most remarkable of all wildlife destinations in the state. Aman-i-Khas is arguably the finest safari-themed resort in the region.
Our Expert Opinion: 9.5/10
Amenities: Dip pools, guided safari tours, an outdoor swimming pool, multiple dining options.
Cost: Luxury tentds start at $ 1600 per night per unit.
7. Samode Haveli, Jaipur
A Haveli is India’s answer to a medieval European castle or mansion. They were typically built by noblemen, princes, rich traders, generals, and statesmen. The Samode Haveli located in the heart of the walled city of Jaipur is considered one of the finest architectural exhibits of the Indo-Saracenic tradition—a fusion of Hindustani and Islamic Persian-and-Central-Asia traditions.
Built-in the second decade of the 19th century, the Samode Haveli is still owned and operated by the descendants of the family that built it.
If you are looking for a boutique Haveli experience in Jaipur that’s homely and yet luxurious, look no further than the Samode Haveli.
Our Expert Rating: 9/10
Amenities: Spa, fitness center, swimming pool, guided city heritage tours, Jhalana Park Safari, Cycling tours of Jaipur.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 300 per night per room.
8. The Leela Palace, Udaipur
Lake Pichola in Udaipur is one of India’s most beloved and picturesque lakes. Life in this charming Mewari capital revolves around this scenic water body. On its banks are located, some of the kingdom’s most famous palaces, temples, and forts.
The Leela Palace is a modern 5-star luxury accommodation located on the banks of Lake Pichola. Owned and operated by the Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts Group, the Leela Palace is tastefully decorated with traditional Mewari furniture and décor that is reminiscent of a bygone era with its exquisite embellishments and artisanal crafts. You get splendid views of the lake and the surrounding Aravalli mountains.
The Leela Palace is one of Udaipur’s finest modern resorts with suites and deluxe rooms facing Lake Pichola. It offers world-class hospitality and guided tours to the City of Lakes. If you are looking for a property that comes with familiar modern 5-star amenities and facilities, the Leela Palace is an excellent choice.
Our Expert Rating: 9/10
Amenities: Swimming pool, luxurious spa, fitness center.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 550 per night per room.
9. Taj Fateh Prakash Palace, Udaipur
The Taj Fateh Prakash is a part of the city’s legendary City Palace Complex, which is also one of Udaipur’s primary tourist attractions. It was built by Maharana Fateh Singh in the early 20th century as a venue for royal events, and for hosting visiting dignitaries. Located on the banks of Lake Pichola, this splendid heritage property is tastefully decorated with royal furniture, miniature paintings, and royal heirlooms.
You will seldom go wrong with a luxury hotel that is operated by the Taj Group of Hotels—one of the country’s most prestigious names in the hospitality industry.
With 65 luxurious rooms and suites, offering views of the scenic lake and scenic Aravalli hills, and a top-notch hospitality service, the Taj Prakash Palace is a splendid heritage accommodation that is housed in the City Palace Complex. You are getting a bonafide glimpse of royal glitz and luxury!
Our Expert Rating: 9/10
Amenities: Bar, swimming pool, multiple dining options, spa.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 500 per night per room.
10. Rajmahal Palace RAAS, Jaipur
The Rajmahal is housed in a royal retreat that has had the privilege of hosting the Queen of England and Duke of Edinburgh. The palace was built in 1729 by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh.
Now transformed into a luxury hotel managed by the well-respected RAAS network, the Rajmahal Palace features 13 royal rooms and suites with a décor inspired by Indian Art Deco. Heirlooms of the royal family and their vintage colonial still adorn the property.
The splendid spa and exquisite cuisine offered by the in-house restaurant 51 Shades of Pink and the Polo Bar, and tastefully decorated Art-deco-themed deluxe rooms make the Rajmahal Palace an excellent place to stay in.
Our Expert Rating: 9/10
Amenities: Bar, Spa, Swimming pool, two restaurants, vintage car rides.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 355 per night per room.
11. Raas Chatrasagar, Pali
Raas Chatrasagar in the Pali region is a romance with the tradition of luxury royal camping. Frequent hunting expeditions, safaris, and military campaigns in remote regions necessitated the need for luxury camps equipped with royal luxuries.
What makes the Chhatrasagar property located on the banks of the Chhatrasagar Lake remarkable is the fact that it is home to some 250 species of native and exotic migratory birds, making this resort the perfect place for bird lovers.
For bird lovers, this eco-friendly property with lake-facing luxury camps and many wonderful avian species is a great place to unwind and on bird-watching trips.
Our Expert Opinion: 8.5/10
Amenities: Luxurious tenting camp, Swimming pool, local temple tours, lake-facing open air dining, guided birdwatching.
Cost: Luxury tents start at $ 400 per night per room.
12. Amanbagh, Ajabgarh
Amanbagh is true to its name— the “garden of peace.” An oasis in the Aravalli hills, the Amanbagh is located in the Ajabgarh region which used to be a royal hunting ground (2 hours drive from Jaipur). The temple town of Neelkanth, Somsagar Lake, the 17th-century fort of Bhangarh, and the Sariska Tiger Reserve are located nearby.
Amanbagh’s architecture is inspired by the rose-hued cupolas and vaulted entrances of the Mughal Palaces.
The Amanbagh is a great way to explore the wilderness of the Ajabgarh and Bhangarh regions. You can carry out excursions to ancient sites like Bhangarh Fort or Neelkanth, spend a relaxing day at Somsagar Lake, or go on a tiger-spotting safari to the Sariska Tiger Reserve.
Our Expert Rating: 8.5/10
Amenities: Wellness Spa, guided tours to Neelkanth, Tiger Safaris in Sariska Tiger Reserve, jeep-safaris, nature walks.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 650 per night per room.
13. Six Senses Fort, Barwara
The fort of Barwara where the Six Sense Fort Resort is housed was originally built in the 14th century. The property is owned by the royal family of Barwara and is managed by the Six Sense Group. The fort has been resorted to its original glory and gives you panoramic views of the Barwara Lake and the legendary Chauth Ka Barwara Mandir.
If you are into forts and want to enjoy an authentic fort experience, then this resort located in a 700-year-old fort is just the ideal place for you.
Offering splendid facilities like an aerial yoga pavilion, several specialty restaurants, a sauna, an outdoor swimming pool, and a signature spa called Swedana (that specializes in Ayurveda treatments and personalized wellness programs), you are guaranteed to have a great time in the Six Senses Fort Barwara.
Our Expert Opinion: 8.5/10
Amenities: 700 year old fort, sauna, swimming pool, spa, yoga pavilion, multiple restaurants.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 1500 per night per room.
14. Mihir Garh, Jodhpur
The word Mihir Garh means “the fortress of the sun.” This splendid resort overlooks the gigantic Thar Desert. Designed by a son of Mihir Garh, Sidhart Singh, and his wife Rashmi, it is modeled after a local village with its golden-stone colored walls, rounded edges, open fireplaces, and alcoves.
A member of the Relais & Chateaux Group, the Mihir Garh offers 8 rooms and villas and is tastefully decorated with local furniture, crafts, and arts.
The best thing about this resort is the gorgeous Marwari horses of its stable, considered one of the finest breeds in all of India. The property offers equestrian tours to the countryside as well.
Our Expert Rating: 8.5/10
Amenities: Swimming pool, spa, horseback riding, birdwatching, guided village tours.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 380 per night per room.
15. RAAS, Jodhpur
A boutique hotel inspired by the 18th-century Rajasthani Havelis, the Raas Jodhpur is located in the heart of the city— walking distance from the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, close to the clock tower. From its courtyard, you get unhindered views of the fort. It comprises four standalone redstone buildings, each facing a rectangular courtyard.
This 1.5-acre property that is snuggled at the base of the hill that houses the Mehrangarh Fort offers luxurious accommodations. A part of the establishment was originally built in the 18th century and has now been restored to its original condition with painstaking traditional craftsmanship.
Our Expert Rating: 8.5/10
Amenities: Spa, Salon, Swimming pool, gift shop.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 350 per night per room.
16. Sujan Serai, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Jaisalmer is Rajasthan’s desert country and is often referred to as the “Golden City” due to the honey-colored stone used to build the giant Jaisalmer Fort, where more than half of the city’s population still lives.
The Sujan Serai is snuggled on the fringes of the gigantic Great Indian Desert
(thar). It is modeled after the royal caravans of the past. Set amidst 100
acres of private desert oasis, the Sujan Serai combines old-world charm with
modern comfort.
Each camp of the Sujan Serai comes with a private dip pool (with jacuzzis), a modern spa, a fitness center, an outdoor swimming pool, and many other
state-of-the-art facilities.
If you are looking for a desert safari experience, the Sujan Serai is just the place for you.
Our Expert Rating: 8.5/10
Amenities: 100-acre private property, 21 luxury tents, heated dip pools with Jacuzzi jets, walled-in gardens, spa, outdoor pool, lounge tents, and jeep safaris.
Cost: Luxury tents start at $ 850 per night per room.
17. The Raj Palace by Small Luxury Hotels of The World, Jaipur
The Raj Palace was built in 1727 AD by the Maharaja of Jaipur when the capital of the kingdom was shifted from the nearby town of Amber. This stunningly beautiful heritage hotel, now operated by the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Network is a visual delight with its spectacular royal antiques, ornate Oriental rugs, colonial chandeliers, vintage furniture, and artifacts.
Offering 54 rooms and suites equipped with modern luxuries, two restaurants, a world-class spa, a private cinema, an outdoor swimming pool, and a sprawling gardens, the Raj Palace is one fine establishment that is a great fusion of traditional Rajasthani opulence and modern luxury.
Our Expert Rating: 8/10
Amenities: Private cinema, spa, gym, swimming pool, two restaurants.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 350 per night per room.
18. Sujan Sherbagh, Ranthambore
The Sujan Sherbagh offers 10 royal tents and 2 “Resplendent Suites” that come equipped with colonial-themed teak and rosewood furniture. This white cotton canvas camp resort is set in a canopy of indigenous trees and offers daily safaris to the Ranthambore National Park.
With a team of highly experienced safari guides and naturalists with decades of experience conducting wildlife and nature safaris in the national park, the
Sherbagh is a splendid Safari-oriented experience in sublime luxury.
Our Expert Rating: 8/10
Amenities: Luxurious tented jungle suites, organic farm, open-air fining dining, guided safari tours.
Cost: Royal tents start at $ 1,100 per night per tent per night.
19. Sujan Jawai CAMP
The Jawai region of Rajasthan is its famous leopard territory. This luxury camp is located close to an ancient rock formation that has historically been the home of leopards and Rabari herdsmen who have herded goats and sheep here for centuries. It is also the historical site of many royal hunting expeditions of the past.
Sujan Jawan is an intimate and quiet establishment with only ten suites that are spacious, offering private courtyards and spaces, and high-end modern amenities indoors. The establishment also offers jeep safaris and other outdoor experiences.
Our Expert Rating: 8.5/10
Amenities: Jeep safaris, guided tiger safaris, wilderness drives, outdoor camping.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 1300 per night per room.
20. Alila Fort, World of Hyatt, Bishangarh
The Bishangarh Fort was constructed 236 years ago in the lap of the Aravalli Hills to defend the Mewari region against incursions from the outside. It has now been converted into Bishangarh’s only (and one of the region’s most remarkable) fort hotels offering world-class service and hospitality.
From your hotel room windows, you get splendid views of the surrounding villages of Bishangarh.
The Alila Fort in Bishangarh has been restored to perfection using local sources and traditional craftsmanship. You get the sense that you have been teleported back into the 19th century. It is an excellent heritage stay for those who love forts and history. Operated by the renowned Alila Group, it offers state-of-the-art services and hospitality.
Our Expert Rating: 8/10
Amenities: Spa, swimming pool, fine dining restaurant, gym, guided heritage tours.
Cost: Rooms start at $ 300 per night per room.