This is NOT a paid review. I spent my own money for this stay.
“There was a time when Elaborate was de rigueur. And a place where it still is.” That is how Rambagh Palace’s awards listing website describes this royal gem.
A sprawling property, spread over 47 acre, Rambagh Palace by Taj, Jaipur, had humble beginnings. It was built as a hunting lodge way back in early 19th Century. Later, in 1920’s, it was expanded into the Royal Palace. Subsequently, the Maharaja of Jaipur converted it into a hotel in late 1950’s. And Taj Group of Hotels took over the management of this magnificent property in early 1970’s.
Here’s a property where while you feel the grandeur at every step, its tariff is truly for the well-heeled – the off-season room rate for its mid-end room is a modest US$500 (approx) per night and a dinner for two with a drink and a glass of wine in its award winning restaurant (Suvarna Mahal) may set you back about US$200.
For a spread-out property, it has very few rooms – just 72. But, the property comes armed with 4 fine-dining restaurants and a large bar called Polo Bar. Since it is a palace property, the décor reflects opulence. The bar has a fountain in the middle. Suvarna Mahal has Murano crystal chandeliers and large Italian alabaster marble lamps, and the Labenese restaurant, Steam, is a steam engine with a full 3-bogey train in tow.
The spa area has world-class treatment facility and is flanked by two swimming pools – one outdoors and the other indoors. And the lawns are tended to as a youngster would his hair!
As soon as you check in, the process itself completely relaxes you – a chilled welcome drink, a cold towel, check-in process in a lounge look-alike lobby, if occupancy is not too high a complimentary upgrade thrown in (we got one!), bags in your room before you even miss them, intuitive controls in the room, the welcome-letter from the hotel GM, et al. The room balcony (if your room has one) or the window overlook the vast manicured greens of the property. And those greens are teeming with peacocks who call it home.
The bar and the restaurants serve delicately crafted and curated fare. The service is attentive, informative, yet unobtrusive. And the ambience is regal. The staff is hospitable, yet visibly proud of its association with this iconic abode, with most of them being old timers (duty house-keeper who tended to our room has been working with Rambagh Palace for 34 years!).
A casual walk in the lawns here will accord you an opportunity to network with nature – with peacocks and myriad other birds chirping all around you! All this, and more, makes this property a true oasis of calm and relaxation in the chaotic capital of the desert state of India!
If I choose to, I can go on and on, but suffice it to say that this property deserves every accolade conferred upon it by the discerning travellers and juries over the years (you may check out the award listing here). Additionally, the images posted alongside will also speak a few thousand words.
