Most hotels were always meant to be hotels. In Rajasthan, though, the royal hotels started out as homes for maharajas and nawabs, who never imagined a reception desk in their halls. That’s what makes a royal Rajasthan hotel special, but it can also be confusing. These days, almost every place online calls itself a 'palace', so it takes some effort to find the real royal homes. We did the research for you. Here are 13 of the best hotels in Rajasthan for a royal stay, chosen for their true heritage, not just their marketing. We’ll tell you where each one is, who it’s best for, and the one royal detail that makes it worth booking.
How Do You Pick the Right Rajasthan Hotel for a Royal Stay?
Asking yourself three questions can save you a lot of time. First, do you want a grand palace with lots of staff, or a cosy fort where the family greets you at breakfast? Second, which region do you prefer? Rajasthan is large, and long drives between cities can take up your time. Third, what is the main reason for your getaway? Is it a honeymoon, a family holiday, or just a relaxing week away?
Once you answer these questions, your shortlist will come together easily. Here’s a quick look at all 13 options, so you can browse the best hotels in Rajasthan by city and style before we dive into the details.
Hotel | City | Style | Best for |
Taj Lake Palace | Udaipur | Palace on water | Honeymoons |
The Oberoi Udaivilas | Udaipur | Modern palace luxury | Couples |
Rambagh Palace | Jaipur | Grand heritage palace | First-timers |
Samode Haveli | Jaipur | Heritage haveli | Design lovers |
Umaid Bhawan Palace | Jodhpur | Art Deco palace | Landmark splurges |
RAAS Jodhpur | Jodhpur | Boutique haveli | Design-minded couples |
Suryagarh | Jaisalmer | Desert fort-style | Desert lovers |
Brijraj Bhawan Palace | Kota | Colonial heritage | History lovers |
Palanpur Palace | Mount Abu | Hill heritage palace | Families, value |
Narendra Bhawan | Bikaner | Design heritage | Food and design |
Neemrana Fort-Palace | Alwar | 15th-century fort | Weekend and adventure |
Alila Fort Bishangarh | Near Jaipur | Fort luxury | Couples |
Deogarh Mahal | Rajsamand | Family fortress-palace | Slow travel |
The 13 Best Hotels in Rajasthan for a Royal Stay
1. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur
If there is one image that captures the spirit of the state, it is this: a white marble palace appearing to float on Lake Pichola. Built as a royal summer home between 1743 and 1746, it became a hotel in 1963 and is now managed by Taj. Guests still arrive by boat, and no other Rajasthan hotel offers an entrance quite like this.
- Location: On an island in Lake Pichola, Udaipur
- Style: Palace on water
- The royal touch: A boat ride to a palace once used by the Mewar rulers
- Best for: Honeymoons and big-occasion stays
2. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Image Source: The Oberoi Udaivilas Official Website
On the other side of the lake is Udaivilas, a modern take on the classic lake palace. Set on about 30 acres of gardens, domes, and reflecting pools, it captures the atmosphere of a Mewar palace, even though it is newly built. Some rooms open directly onto a semi-private pool that circles the property. Among hotels in Udaipur, Rajasthan, these two are the standard-setters.
- Location: Banks of Lake Pichola, Udaipur
- Style: Modern palace-style luxury
- The royal touch: Terrace pools with views across to the City Palace
- Best for: Couples wanting polish and privacy
3. Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
Image Source: Rambagh Palace Official Website
Rambagh is Jaipur’s most iconic hotel. Once the home of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, it became India’s first palace hotel when it opened to guests in 1957. Peacocks stroll across the lawns, marble corridors stretch endlessly, and afternoon tea is a beloved tradition. When people imagine a palace stay in Rajasthan, this is often the hotel that comes to mind. Rambagh, along with Taj Lake Palace and Umaid Bhawan, is one of the three flagship Taj hotels in Rajasthan.
- Location: Bhawani Singh Road, Jaipur
- Style: Grand heritage palace
- The royal touch: A former royal residence, now the Taj flagship in the city
- Best for: First-timers who want the full palace picture
4. Samode Haveli, Jaipur
Image Source: Samode Haveli Official Website
If you want a more intimate experience in the Pink City, Samode Haveli is a 19th-century mansion once home to the rawals of Samode, hidden inside the old walled city. The hand-painted dining hall and mirrored rooms invite you to pause and take in every detail. This is a quieter, more personal place to stay compared to the grand palaces.
- Location: Gangapole, old walled city, Jaipur
- Style: Heritage haveli
- The royal touch: A mirrored Sheesh Mahal dining hall covered in paintings
- Best for: Couples and design lovers
5. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Image Source: Umaid Bhavan Palace Official Website
Umaid Bhawan is one of the world’s largest private homes and was built between 1928 and 1943, in part to provide jobs for locals during a famine. Today, it is divided into three sections: a Taj hotel, a museum, and the part where the Jodhpur royal family still lives. This is also the famous venue where Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas got married, and it might just be the grandest Rajasthan hotel.
- Location: Chittar Hill, Jodhpur
- Style: Art Deco palace
- The royal touch: A working royal residence you can actually book a room in
- Best for: Landmark, once-in-a-while splurges
6. RAAS Jodhpur
Image Source: RAAS Jodhpur Official Website
RAAS sits just below the walls of Mehrangarh Fort and stands out as the top boutique choice in the Blue City. The hotel combines beautifully restored havelis with a fresh, modern look. At night, the rooftop offers stunning views of the fort lit up against the sky, an experience that makes staying here worthwhile.
- Location: Walled city, below Mehrangarh, Jodhpur
- Style: Boutique heritage haveli
- The royal touch: Fort views close enough to feel within reach from your terrace
- Best for: Design-minded couples
7. Suryagarh, Jaisalmer
Image Source: Suryagarh Official Website
Suryagarh stands in the Thar Desert, resembling a golden fort that seems to rise from the sand. Although it is newly built, it follows traditional design. Located about 30 minutes from Jaisalmer Fort, the hotel offers memorable experiences like dune dinners and picnics near the abandoned village of Kuldhara. Few hotels in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan blend into the landscape as well as this one.
- Location: Kahala Phata, near Jaisalmer
- Style: Desert fort-style luxury
- The royal touch: Sunset dinners on the dunes, plus camel and 4x4 desert outings
- Best for: Couples and desert lovers
8. Brijraj Bhawan Palace, Kota
Image Source: Brijraj Bhawan Palace Official Website
Kota is not usually known for its royal heritage, which makes Brijraj Bhawan a nice surprise. This small heritage house sits by the Chambal River and was once the British Residency before becoming the Maharao's home. The royal family still lives in part of the house. With old photographs and river views, the hotel feels welcoming and full of stories. It stands out as one of the most charming hotels in Kota, Rajasthan.
- Location: Civil Lines, by the Chambal River, Kota
- Style: Colonial-era heritage residence
- The royal touch: This small palace is still home to the Kota royal family
- Best for: History lovers and quiet stays
9. Palanpur Palace Hotel, Mount Abu
Image Source: Palanpur Palace Official Website
Palanpur Palace sits in the hill station of Mount Abu and was built as a summer retreat by Nawab Sher Mohammed Khan of Palanpur. Part of the palace became a hotel in 1923. It is more affordable than the big-city palaces and offers views of the Aravalli hills, with the Dilwara Temples and Nakki Lake nearby. For families, Palanpur Palace Hotel is one of the reliable hotels in Mount Abu, Rajasthan.
- Location: Delwara area, Mount Abu
- Style: Heritage palace in a hill station setting
- The royal touch: A Nawab's summer palace with cool mountain-air terraces
- Best for: Families and value-minded travellers
10. Narendra Bhawan, Bikaner
Image Source: Narendra Bhawan Official Website
Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner stands out for its bold design. Once home to the city's last maharaja, its interiors blend different styles, from Bikaner terrazzo floors to Portuguese tiles and English colours. The food at its restaurants is another highlight, making it worth staying in for dinner.
- Location: Bikaner city
- Style: Heritage hotel with a focus on design
- The royal touch: Each room reflects the last Maharaja's unique and varied taste
- Best for: Design and food lovers
11. Neemrana Fort-Palace, Alwar
Image Source: Neemrana Fort-Palace Official Website
Neemrana sits halfway between Delhi and Jaipur. This 15th-century fort, built in 1464, has been restored over 14 levels and turned into a heritage hotel. It's a popular weekend getaway, and you can try India's first zip-line for some adventure between the courtyards. Plus, this Rajasthan hotel is easy to reach from Delhi in just a morning's drive.
- Location: Neemrana, Alwar district, just off the Delhi-Jaipur highway
- Style: Restored 15th-century fort
- The royal touch: Terraced ramparts, hanging gardens and a zip-line over it all
- Best for: Weekend stays with a bit of adventure
12. Alila Fort Bishangarh, Near Jaipur
Image Source: Alila Fort Bishangarh Official Website
Alila Fort Bishangarh sits on a rocky hill about an hour from Jaipur. This 230-year-old warrior fort has been transformed into a luxury hotel. With its thick stone walls, jharokha windows, and hilltop spa, it feels like a movie set, but you won’t have to give up any comforts.
- Location: Bishangarh, about an hour from Jaipur
- Style: Restored warrior fort, modern luxury
- The royal touch: A centuries-old fort topped with a rooftop restaurant and long valley views
- Best for: Couples and design-forward splurges
13. Deogarh Mahal, Rajsamand
Image Source: Deogarh Mahal Official Website
Deogarh Mahal sits on a hilltop between Udaipur and Jodhpur. Built in 1670, this palace is still run by the same family. With its frescoes, mirrored Sheesh Mahal suites, and rooftop dinners overlooking the countryside, the place feels personal instead of corporate. It is the most hands-on and authentic Rajasthan hotel on this list, making it a great stop for slow travel.
- Location: Deogarh, Rajsamand district
- Style: Family-run fortress-palace
- The royal touch: Miniature-painting heritage and royal hosts who still greet guests
- Best for: Slow travel and art lovers
When Is the Best Time to Book a Royal Stay in Rajasthan?
The best time to visit is from October to March, when the days are warm and the evenings are cool, perfect for rooftop dinners. This is the busiest season, so palace rooms and suites fill up quickly, especially during Diwali, Christmas, and the winter wedding months. From April to June, the weather gets very hot, but hill stations like Mount Abu remain comfortable, and hotel rates are lower. The monsoon season, from July to September, is quieter and the landscape turns greener. Staying in a lake palace during the rain has its own special charm. For the best rooms, try to book your Rajasthan hotel two to three months in advance.
Season | Months | Weather | Good to know |
Peak | Oct to Mar | Warm days, cool nights | Best time; book early |
Summer | Apr to Jun | Very hot | Hill stations shine, softer rates |
Monsoon | Jul to Sep | Warm, some rain | Green, calm, lower rates |
Ready to Wake Up in a Palace?
A royal stay isn’t just about how much you spend. It’s about finding the perfect place for your holiday, and that’s where a little help can make all the difference. At Holiday Tribe, we’re holiday advisors, not just travel agents. We plan Rajasthan holidays based on the kind of stays you’re really looking for.
You can choose one of our ready-made Rajasthan holidays if you want your route and hotels already planned. Or, let our experts and AI travel planner create a holiday just for you, based on your dates, your pace, and the Rajasthan hotel you really want. We plan for every kind of traveller, so tell us about your dream stay, and we’ll make the royal experience happen.
