Hotels
of Rajasthan Heritage
Hotels in JodhpurKARNI BHAWAN,
Jodhpur
Karni Bhawan, residence of the Jagirdars of Sodawas is a red sandstone
bungalow of the 40s. Redone to suit modern requirements, it still retains a
homely spirit. It has well-maintained lawns, swimming pool & health
club, tastefully furnished bedrooms with attached bathrooms. Also of
interest is the Dhani or a group of huts, where guests can enjoy traditional
Rajasthani vegetarian, non-vegetarian cuisine as well as continental and
delicious barbecue. Breakfast in the courtyard and rooftop dinners and an
uninterrupted view of Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace can also be
organized.
Special features: It is a comfortable and
convenient place where one can spend a quiet holiday with all modern
amenities. The pride of this hotel is its exclusive Rajasthani cuisine and
its chefs have been invited to food festivals in Switzerland several times.
Facilities available: 25 AC rooms with attached
bathrooms, dining-hall and a conference room. In total there are 32 rooms,
which includes 31 double and 1 single room.
BALSAMAND
LAKE PALACE, Jodhpur
Balsamand, a beautiful lake palace was constructed in 1114 A.D. The open
area of the palace is 192000 sq. ft. It overlooks the huge Balsamand lake.
Built essentially as a gateway for the Jodhpur royal family, it has well
laid out and maintained gardens which for years have been used by the royal
family for picnics and parties.
The palace has recently been
converted into a hotel with all modern amenities and is an ideal place for
quiet holidays.
Special features: Excursions to nearby
places of tourist importance can be organized.
Facilities
available: 25 recently converted rooms, theme lunches and dinners,
Indian, continental and Chinese meals available. A coffee shop &
swimming pool are also present.
Accessibility :-
By road: Jodhpur - 8 kms. By train: Jodhpur -7 kms. By air: Jodhpur - 8 kms.
AJIT BHAWAN, Jodhpur
Ajit Bhawan was built exclusively for Maharaja Ajit Singh, the younger
brother of Maharaja of Jodhpur. An impressive red sandstone structure built
in the 1940s, Ajit Bhawan has a rugged beauty of its own which is further
enhanced by the arched widows, carved balconies and cupolas. The most
interesting feature in this building is the courtyard-a quadrangle with
exquisitely carved latticework. This area comes to life during meal times
when Rajasthani delicacies are served by turbaned men and veiled women.
Traditional folk music makes the meals more enjoyable and adds to the warm
atmosphere of this place. Lying behind the partial Ajit Bhawan is a charming
village complex. Nestling in a rustic and lush green setting are bungalows
named after the months and Zodiac signs of the Indian calendar. Each cottage
has been furnished in authentic Rajasthani style and no two cottages are
alike. Well-maintained lawns and thick, shady trees make this village
complex a heaven for birds and humans alike. It is an oasis in the desert
city.
Special features: The family undertakes village
excursions and the guests get an opportunity to see and experience
traditional Rajasthani rural life. The tour includes visits to the houses of
weavers, shoemakers and other local craftsmen.
Facilities
available: 49 double and 2 single rooms. Swimming pool, barbecue
restaurant and village safari.
Accessibility :-
By road: Udaipur - 285 kms. By train: Jodhpur - 3 kms. By air: Jodhpur - 3
kms.
UMAID
BHAWAN PALACE, Jodhpur
Umaid Bhawan Palace is a splendid example of Indo-colonial and art deco
style of the 30s. The only palace to be constructed in the 20th century, it
took three thousand artisans 14 years to create this magnificent edifice. A
unique feature of this palace is the fact that the hand-chiselled sandstone
blocks have been put together in a special system of interlocking. There is
no mortar binding. This is even more amazing because the palace is very
large - 195 meters long and 103 meters wide.
The imposing
entrance leads one to the lobby adorned with black Belgium marble flanked by
two impressive banqueting-halls - the Rathore Durbar and the Marwar Hall.
Crystal lamps mounted Shikar trophies in the Palm Court lead to the
spectacular 56 meters high Center Dome Hall. A pair of polished marble
stairs lead to the Maharaja's private apartments and the Regal suites.
With original furnitures in all the rooms, each room seems more
luxurious than the other.
Special features: The Palace
Museum houses a fascinating collection of object d'art & there is also a
library in the palace.
Facilities available: 98 rooms
with attached bathrooms. Restaurants, bar, conference hall, private
auditorium, health club and sports facilities.
