Cantt Area Jodhpur, India
Renovated
2005
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Design Luxe HeritageOutside the door
The house
TajArt Deco royal palace
The Maharaja of Jodhpur still lives here, sharing his vast Art Deco palace and manicured gardens with hotel guests.
“The spectacle of it, the Art Deco design, the peacocks strutting on the lawn.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Interlocking golden Chittar sandstone architecture beneath a central 105-foot inner dome cupola.
Remarkable
Ceremonial arrivals with rose petals and drums, accompanied by on-demand royal butlers.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
UK Readers' Choice Awards
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Also in Wallpaper* and AFAR.
Umaid Bhawan has a character all its own — it’s of a more recent vintage than many of its counterparts, and seventy years on it’s staying true to its Art Deco self.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
The palace stands on Chittar Hill, looking out across the blue city toward the ramparts of Mehrangarh Fort.
The rooms
Original Art Deco furniture fills the bedrooms, and deep soaking tubs sit in cavernous marble bathrooms.
The indoor pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The subterranean heated pool sits beneath vaulted arches, surrounded by hand-painted tiles and zodiac ceiling frescoes.
The spa and gym
J Wellness Circle suites host traditional Indian therapies, and the fitness centre looks out onto the palace gardens.
At the table
Risala serves royal Rajasthani recipes beneath crystal chandeliers, and Pillars sets tables along the colonnaded sandstone terrace.
Umaid Bhawan, as it happens, is the real deal, for a portion of it is still home to the Jodhpur royal family.
How it began
Maharaja Umaid Singh commissioned the palace in 1929 as a famine-relief project to employ thousands of drought-stricken citizens.
“With its elaborate dome rising above the city of Jodhpur in northwest India’s Rajasthan region, it looks like an Indian Sacré-Coeur.”
Good to know
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Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
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Jodhpur
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.