Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, Luxury, Hotel, Pool, Polo, Jacuzzi

A wonderful palace hotel spread over forty-seven acres of tranquil, landscaped gardens, Rambagh Palace is Jaipur’s foremost Royal residence, located just outside the walls of the ‘Pink City’ in lush gardens

A city of fascinating history, the old walled ‘Pink City’ was a relatively new creation by a far-sighted Maharaja who planned the whole on a grid system with wide boulevards and low-rise building which even today accommodate the thronging city crowds. The original city lies through a hill pass, below the spectacular Amer Fort but could not expand in its mountainous setting to adequately house the populace.

Built in 1835 as a hunting lodge and converted to a palace in Rambagh finally became India’s first palace hotel in 1957 and as an architectural masterpiece, presents a fine blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Sensitively restored to its former glory, large rooms overlook courtyards with fountains or verdant gardens and are furnished and decorated in very elegant fashion. The use of rich fabrics and silk drapes draw from the colourful art and warm hues of the state of Rajasthan and personalised butlers are on hand as knowledgeable hosts to modern day Maharajas.

Airy verandahs and marble corridors lead to the beautiful front lawns and warm intimate lobby. Here one finds Suvarna Mahal, one of the world’s great Italian renaissance style dining rooms, serving Indian cuisine from four regions and the renowned Polo Bar with its Polo memorabilia - one of Asia’s most famous watering holes frequented by the rich and famous.

Steam is a great fun resto-bar on wheels, the restored Steam Engine sits in a Victorian style station and the Rajput Room serves international cuisine all day. Either restaurant serves on the verandah which looks out over the gardens - where musicians play in the evenings - to the hilltop fort, illuminated at night.

There is a magnificent indoor pool in the grounds (with an outdoor pool next door) and gymnasium, steam and spa all manned by the most helpful and friendly staff. Other sports facilities include croquet, tennis and squash and even polo can be organised on request should guests feel the need to let off steam after haggling with the local artisans of marble inlay or hand-knotted carpets. The Rambagh Palace is truly a wonderful hotel in one of Rajasthan’s most important cities.