Redefining heritage: Indian palaces that are now hotels

We’ve all been fascinated, at some point, by the lives of the royals of the past and the present. For most people, it’s the allure of palaces and forts, and we can see why. All of these majestic buildings once housed the royal families and some of them are turned into luxury hotels today, much to our delight.

The interesting thing about some of these palaces is that even if they are hotels now, a few of them continue to house the royal families.

All of these palaces-turned-hotels allow visitors to experience the grandeur of a bygone era while enjoying modern amenities; by modern, we obviously mean ultra luxe. Here, are some of them that you need to check out.



Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur: Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the world's largest private residences. This is one of the palaces where the royal family still reside but is also a part hotel. The hotel part of the palace is under the Taj Hotels and it is a luxury re-defined. No wonder the nation’s favourite Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas picked this property as the venue for their wedding.


Rambagh Palace, Jaipur: This palace was once the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Now, the luxurious Rambagh Palace is a stunning hotel managed by the Taj Hotels. The suites, decor and exquisite dining options will let you have an unforgettable stay.



Lake Palace, Udaipur: Lake Palace, formally known as Jag Niwas, was a former summer palace of the royal family of Mewar. The erstwhile palace is now one of the best luxury hotels in Rajasthan. It is located on the iconic Lake Pichola, right on the island of Jag Niwas. Once you reach the hotel by a boat, you will be surrounded by the unmatched beauty of white marble architecture and some of the best views ever.


Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad: This palace was once the royal residence of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Back in 2000, Prince Nizam Mukkaram Jah Bahadur leased out this stunning property to the Taj Hotels to be converted into a luxury heritage hotel. This hotel saw the luxurious wedding of Arpita Khan, Salman Khan’s sister.


Samode Palace, Samode: Samode Palace, an exquisite example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, has been transformed into a heritage hotel. The palace reflects the grandeur of Rajput and Mughal styles, providing guests with a royal experience amid its rich history.

Also read: Hill forts of Rajasthan for the fans of heritage and all things grand

Neemrana Fort Palace, Neemrana: This is one of the closest palace hotels near Delhi. Neemrana is a great weekend getaway from the capital, and one that you should definitely give a try. It’s stunning, it is uber luxe and away from the hustle and bustle. Back in 1464, the fort palace was founded by Prithviraj Chauhan. The last royal to live here was Raja Rajinder Singh of Neemrana.

Also read: Indian forts & palaces that've captured the fancy of Indian cinema

Chail Palace, Chail: This palace hotel was once the royal residence of Maharaja of Patiala, Maharaja Bhupender Singh. The erstwhile royal residence is now a heritage hotel. Chail Palace allows guests to experience the grandeur of the past while enjoying modern comforts. You can make your Himachal trip special and royal-like by staying at this property. Chail Palace is now managed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.


These are some of the palaces that were turned into a hotel and these, for a long time now, have been redefining luxury and heritage.