How to Plan a Palace Hotel Tour of Rajasthan
To plan a palace tour, choose three major hubs—Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Jaipur—and limit your travel to one destination every 3 days. Book converted heritage properties directly through their websites 6 months in advance to secure the best rates and room categories.
- Map your route by road. Don't fly between cities. Hire a private car with a driver for the entire trip. The distances are long (5-7 hours between major cities), and a private driver allows you to stop at rural forts and stepwells along the way.
- Select your heritage tier. Distinguish between 'Grand Heritage' (actual former royal residences), 'Heritage Hotels' (historic havelis), and modern luxury resorts. A balanced itinerary includes at least one night in a true palace to justify the cost.
- Book the 'Royal' room category. In converted palaces, standard rooms are often former servant quarters or windowless storage areas. Always book at least a 'Deluxe' or 'Heritage' room to ensure you get the high ceilings and original architecture you are paying for.
- Time your arrival for check-in. Palace hotels are destinations themselves. Plan to arrive at your hotel by 2:00 PM to take advantage of the afternoon tea, courtyard tours, and historic archives usually offered to guests.
- Is it worth staying in a palace hotel every night?
- It is often better to mix it up. Spend 2 nights in a grand palace followed by a night in a boutique haveli to experience different scales of architecture.
- How do I deal with the heat?
- Plan your sightseeing for before 11:00 AM and after 4:00 PM. Use the mid-day hours to stay inside the thick stone walls of the palaces, which stay naturally cool.