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A symbol of hope
The opulent Umaid Bhawan Palace, located in Jodhpur province, was established in 1943 by the family of Maharaja Umaid Singh as a private residence for the entire clan. It is also one of the last grand palaces built in India.
However, later, in the 1920s, a severe drought and famine swept through the area. Maharaja Umaid Singh saw an opportunity to boost the economy and planned an ambitious construction project that would last 15 years. Raising funds from his private reserves, Singh hired around 3,000 people to build the world's largest private residence on Chittar Hill – the highest point of the Blue City in Jodhpur at the time.
Singh then found a British architect, HV Lancaster, to realize his ambitions and design the building. The palace was constructed from pink Chittar sandstone and palm-paddle marble (similar to the material used at the Taj Mahal). With an art-house facade incorporating traditional Indian touches, while the interior displayed stunning Polish frescoes, marble, and a vast central dome, the royal family lived in opulence in the palace just years before India declared independence from Britain. Soon after, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi also stripped the Rajasthani rulers of their power, annual allowances, and titles. Therefore, over time, many old palaces have fallen into disrepair, but Umaid Bhawan has been remarkably well preserved. This is partly thanks to the foresightful decision of Gaj Singh II – Singh's grandson – to convert part of the palace into a luxury hotel in the early 1970s, in order to generate additional revenue to offset high maintenance costs.
In the 1970s, the palace was converted into a hotel and has long been a symbol of prosperity in Jodhpur.
He also shared with CNN Travel: "I want tourists to experience the Indian way of life, so we have Indian food, Indian music, and staff who have been with us for generations. The warmth and interaction with the local people is what everyone appreciates at Umaid Bhawan."
Inside the royal residence
The rooms and suites in this royal hotel offer guests a unique experience and an immediate sense of allure, with a strong old-world feel evident in the Old World furnishings, luxurious upholstered chairs, and impressive animals on the grounds.
Additionally, there is a library, an elegant dining room, and a spacious terrace perfect for enjoying afternoon tea and admiring the colorful peacocks. The hotel also offers a Grecian spa in the basement, an indoor swimming pool, a tennis court, and botanical gardens on the expansive Baradari lawn.
This location has also been chosen as the wedding venue for several celebrities, most recently Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas.
Although guests are not permitted to "enter" the rest of the hotel – the royal family's private residence, specifically where Singh II still lives – they do have the opportunity to visit the museum to admire 15,000 items from the royal family's personal collection, including rare pottery, antiques, armor, murals, and even a few vintage cars. "In India, and especially in Rajasthan, people are very proud of their culture and heritage, and love preserving it."
From now on, you too can experience a royal lifestyle starting at $450 per night (approximately 11 million VND) right here at this extraordinary palace.
