The King style!
Since childhood I was quite keen to visit Rajasthan in order to see the royalty that it exhibits. As my father is NRI, born in Rajasthan, he used to tell me stories about the splendorous Rajasthan.

Once he told me that Rajasthan was the land of Kings ( Maharajah's) and the nobles and they all used to live in royal palaces with hundreds of servants. “Hundreds of servant!!!” I exclaimed “ Why can't we afford one?” I asked innocently.

As the Life moved on!!
About 17 years later when I actually visited Rajasthan, I understood the grandeur of the Rajasthan. Rajasthan is an abode dotted with marvelous monument. All of them having an outstanding architectural heritage.

I was surprised to know that most of the Palaces were still being used by the erstwhile royal families, with a few section of the palaces were converted into museums and hotels. In order to feel the lavish opulence that once existed in the spectacular land, I visited Rajmahal Palace in Jaipur. The Palace was built by Sawai Jain sigh in 1729 for his maharani, Chandara Kunwar Ranawat

I was amazed when I saw waiters in traditional attire.“What will you like to have?” asked one waiter dressed in conventional Bhandej turban and dhoti. I was overwhelmed by their hospitality and I never felt as if I was visiting the place for the first time.

Somehow in Jodhpur, I happened to land in Umaid Bhawan Palace. This palace was built in typical sandstone. And it was difficult for me to believe that this was the largest private residence in the world. Built in !943, the hotel was designed by the H.V. Lancster and has 98 rooms to accommodate guests. The crystal lamps, mounted hunting trophies, the palm court in the palace is only aprelude to greatyer magnificience.

Heritage Haveli's!!!
The other heritage hotels that I visited were Samode Haveli (Jaipur), Hotel Lalgarh Palace ( Bikaner). There are number of heritage hotels in Rajasthan. These hotels were formed by converting small or big havelis into hotels/ Palaces. What I noticed was that some of the Havelis were not big enough to be called Palaces but still they were counted amongst them. I especially liked there well maintained traditional outlook and their hospitality that left many the deluxe hotels far behind.