Feel Like A Royal At These Stunning Destinations In India!

Places

These 10 handpicked regal experiences across India allow you to travel to a bygone era, marked by opulent luxury, lavish feasts, personal butlers, and glittering homes. By Shrimayee Thakur

10 Indian destinations that will make you feel like a royal

Sample an Old Way of Life at the Stok Palace, Ladakh

The Stok Palace, built over 200 years ago, continues to be the home of the Namgyal dynasty, and offers a way of life untouched by modernity. Most of its six rooms offer uninterrupted views of the Indus valley, and do not have WiFi, air conditioning, or intercom. Opened to the public in 1980, with the blessing of the Dalai Lama, the palace, though not ostentatious, was built by local craftsmen and embodies everything that is inherently Ladakhi—from its in-house monastery with intricate wall murals, to its museum with intriguing artefacts, including a crown that is said to be over 1,000 years old. Craft an amulet for a loved one at the monastery with the help of the resident monk, sent from the Chemrey monastery. Walk through the Stok village, which is remarkably self-sufficient while also being virtually untouched in its way of life over the centuries. Don’t forget to sample one of the palace’s secret recipes at the traditional kitchen. Starts at INR 14,160; stokpalaceheritage.com

Travel Back in Time Onboard The Palace On Wheels

Go on the journey of a lifetime in the elegantly appointed coaches of the Palace On Wheels, a train unlike any other. Its coaches were once used to ferry royalty and state officials, playing host to the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Viceroy of British India. Post Independence, the coaches languished in Rajasthan until the 1980s, when the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways decided to deploy them for India’s first luxury train experience. With 39 deluxe and two super deluxe cabins, the train travels to various destinations connected to Rajasthan and Agra’s regal past. Each saloon has a personal attendant, known as khidmatgar, and the carriages are named after Rajasthan’s palaces. On the journey, you can ride an elephant up the ramparts of the Amber Fort, stroll through the gorgeous streets of Udaipur, and marvel at the Mehrangarh Fort. Two restaurant cars with bar lounges ensure your days end with the perfect meal, while a spa eases the exhaustion from exploring. Starts from INR 5,98,290; thepalaceonwheels.com

Live like a Queen in Ranvas, Rajasthan

Live life queen-size at Ranvas, which lies within the walls of the fourth-century Ahhichatragarh Fort in Nagaur. In the 18th century, it was the residence of the 16 ranis (queens) of Maharaja Bakhat Singh of Jodhpur. Ranvas was restored to offer opulent accommodation by Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Marwar along with the Mehrangarh Museum Trust, the Getty Foundation USA, and the Helen Hamlyn Trust. Today, it has 10 havelis, named after the queens, with two to three bedrooms each, ensuite bathrooms, and a courtyard. While an indoor restaurant serves Mughal Sufi cuisine inspired by the queens’ kitchens, and an à la carte menu, an outdoor restaurant, Bardari, is an all-day dining pavillion and serves Indian and international cuisines. History buffs can take guided tours of the fort and museum. Price on request; jodhanaheritage.com

Dine with the Maharaja in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Get up close and personal with royalty at the Khajurgaon Palace, with a meal chosen by Raja Amresh Kumar Singh and his family. Built in 1896 by Rana Shankar Baksh Singh, the palace is still used as a residential complex by the family, and exhibits Awadhi architecture and British influences. Beautiful hand-painted murals adorn the walls of the Darbar Hall, where most of the grills on the windows and balconies have wrought-iron face plates of Queen Victoria. Khajurgaon is the oldest aristocratic estate in the erstwhile Awadh province—two generations of the royal family were appointed Knight Commanders of the Order of the Indian Empire. The king and his family are happy to look after each guest personally, regaling them with the history of Lucknow’s Hindu royalty, which can be traced back to a time before the Nawabs. Price on request; tornosindia.com

Stay Sustainably in The Belgadia Palace, Odisha

Home to the royal family of Mayurbhanj, The Belgadia Palace is part of Princesses Mrinalika and Akshita Bhanj Deo’s aim to convert the quaint town into a sustainable smart city—and a major tourist attraction. The palace, built in the 19th century, is a charming doublestoreyed structure, with a mix of Greek and Victorian architecture, set against a lush green backdrop. The nine bedrooms on offer are spacious, with light touches of grandeur. The district is renowned for various forms of art, such as dokra, an ancient wax casting technique, and the Mayurbhanj chhau, a martial arts dance. Engage with the local community by watching a chhau performance or by learning about the dying technique of dokra. Explore local wildlife at the Simlipal National Park and its roaring waterfalls, or catch a glimpse of as many as 15 bird species on the property itself. Starts from INR 11,000, all inclusive; thebelgadiapalace.com

Book the Gudliya Suite at City Palace, Jaipur

Experience a surreal stay at the grand City Palace of Jaipur. In 2019, Padmanabh Singh, the Maharaja of Jaipur, opened the Gudliya Suite to visitors through Airbnb. From the chauffeur-driven car waiting to take you to your room, to the private butler who curates and personalises your itinerary, the stay is a truly royal experience. Browse a selection of the most popular retail outlets in the Pink City, explore its various heritage structures, and delve deeper into the City Palace itself with a complimentary guided tour conducted by a member of the royal staff. The suite itself is gorgeous, with an indoor pool to offset the heat of the desert. Savour traditional Rajasthani meals at the palace’s in-house restaurant, Baradari, with tailored menus and delicious wines. Starts from INR 5,69,200; airbnb.co.in

Discover Deogarh like the Rawats

Built in the 17th century, Deogarh Mahal is still home to members of the royal family of Deogarh, Rajasthan. Offering an exquisite view of the Aravallis and myriad lakes, the palacewas once a stronghold for the Rawats (a local title equivalent to king) of Deogarh. Although changes were made to the structure over time—such as a courtyard on the second floor, where an elegant white marble throne sits—the palace is said to have been an inspiration for the Hawa Mahal, which was built in 1799. Each of the hotel’s 60 rooms oozes regal Rajasthani elegance. Explore the surrounding landscape with hotel-organised activities such as the ‘rural ramble’, which takes you to a cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Car enthusiasts will be delighted by the collection of rare vintage cars displayed at the hotel; these can be used for excursions as well! Starts from INR 5,999; deogarhmahal.com

Contribute to the Community at Ahilya Fort Hotel, Madhya Pradesh

Prince Richard Holkar, son of the last Maharaja of Indore, converted his palatial Maheshwar home into a hotel in 2000. Since then, AhilyaFort Hotel, which sits high above the Narmada River, has been welcoming guests into its 19 rooms across six 18th-century buildings. These sprawl across three acres of fountains and gardens, designed by Prince Holkar. The gardens host a selection of vegetables for the kitchen, and a menagerie with bunnies, ducks, goats, and a grumble of royal pugs. Support a good cause at the Rehwa Society, started by the Holkars in the late 1970s to breathe life into the region’s handweaving craft. The centre employs over 80 weavers, and has traditional handlooms and its own dye house; profits go to the adjoining Ahilya school, started for the weavers’ children. Spend an afternoon floating in the pool, test your skills in a game of Pétanque (played with 18th-century cannon balls), or get a traditional Nimadi massage. Starts from INR 19,500; ahilyafort.com

Be a Part of History at Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel, Karnataka

Image: COURTESY OF CHITTOOR KOTTARAM BY CGH EARTH, KERALA

Set on a hillock just outside Mysuru, Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel was built in 1931 by the then Maharaja of Mysore to host important guests, including the Viceroy of India. The two-storeyed white palace, with a gorgeous view of the valley, has twin ionic columns, domes, and a porch. The interiors are adorned with Venetian marble floors, priceless carpets, rosewood furniture, and a sweeping balustrade staircase. Its 54 suites are marked by opulent interiors, with high ceilings, period furniture, and four-poster beds. Stay in the Viceroy Suite, accessed through an Italian marble staircase or the elevator, for an elevated experience. The erstwhile ballroom has been converted into a restaurant, serving gourmet dishes, among which the most popular is the Mysore Silver Thali— an array of South Indian delicacies served in small bowls. Starts from INR 3,150; lalithamahalpalace.co.in

Holiday like a King at Chittoor Kottaram by CGH Earth, Kerala

A short boat ride from Kochi takes you to Chittoor Kottaram, a heritage mansion that was once a haven for the Raja of Cochin. He used to come to Chittoor for repose, and to pay homage to the temple he built for the family deity. Built in the 19th century, the charming mansion is available for booking as a private villa, and it is the ideal getaway for those looking for a secluded stay while still maintaining royal standards of luxury. The staff are locals, with a vast knowledge of the lores of the region. The architecture of the mansion mixes the traditional style of Kerala with subtle European elements. The history of the mansion shines through in its antique furniture, artefacts, and cement-tiled corridors, painstakingly preserved over the years. A collection of Lady Hamlyn’s artworks adorn the walls. Your personal chef whips up culinary treats, which can be enjoyed in a location of your choice: a gazebo, by the lake, or the lush garden. Price on request; cghearth.com