Umaid Bhawan Palace – Jodhpur, India

The Maharaja lives next door!

Room Type: Palace Room with Balcony
Stay: 3 Nights

Our first choice The Raas was undergoing renovation work so changed to this hotel and was suitably impressed.

Arrival

One of the most impressive arrivals in India…as the car pulls up all you can see are staff standing on the steps and then you get the fanfare from the brass band, the Manager hands you a drink of sparkling wine as you walk into the magnificent palace overlooking the city.

Our arrival was to be remembered, we had been staying out in the desert and had been on morning safari so still dressed in shorts and t-shirts, Jon had on white vest and had been wearing a bandana which I managed to get off him before we arrived.  So we turned up at this 5 star hotel looking fairly underdressed but this is what you love about the service in India…Jon commented on his clothing and coming from the desert to which the manager said “Sir is perfectly dressed for the weather in Jodhpur”

This place is huge, half is now the hotel run by the Taj Group and the Maharaja lives in the other half.  We were taken straight to the room for check in and it was quite a walk.

Room

The suite was large and decorated in Art Deco style with a separate sitting room leading to the bedroom with doors onto the balcony. The walk in wardrobe and bathroom runs down the side with access from both the sitting room and bedroom. 

The only view is from the balcony which is not a comfortable place to sit as it is enclosed with no fans so basically you bake!  The room is spotlessly clean and comfortable but not one of my favourites, the portrait artwork is slightly off putting...most of them looked like Eddie Murphy.

Size: 47 sqm

Tower Wing Room Facilities

  • Forest Essentials Toiletries
  • Tea and Coffee making facilities
  • Bottled water
  • Hangers
  • Safe
  • Iron and ironing board
  • TV with international channels
  • Bathrobes & slippers
  • Free Wifi
lavish marble en suite bathroom the Umaid Bhawan Palace – Jodhpur, India with bath, shower wc and twin basins
Fit for the Maharaja himself
A view of the beautifully manicured royal gardens with the pool at the end with a vine covered walkway to the left and sundial in the foreground at Umaid Bhawan Palace – Jodhpur, India

Balcony view overlooking the gardens with the pool at the end

Dining

 

Breakfast is a la carte and taken at Pillars which has lovely views and great food. 

We also ate here at night, exceptional food and immaculate service, certainly one of the best restaurants in India.

 

The inner courtyard at Umaid bhawan palace jodhpurs with water features and geometric gardens topped by netting to protect the sandstone from bird droppings
The Inner Courtyard & Gardens
Debbie wandering the grounds on the sandstone paved area below the pillars retaurant looking out towards the lawns with their own temple and bougainvillea bushes to the right
It's a long and lovely walk to the temple and pool!

Service

Could not be faulted...perfect.

Amenities

Indoor and Outdoor pools - loved the outdoor pool at the bottom of the garden - hamper provided with drinks, towels, sunscreen, papers and ice cream!

Jiva Spa - usual treatments

Shop

Palace Tour for hotel guests only

Restaurants / Bar

Pillars - multi cuisine and breakfast plus lunch and dinner

Risala Restaurant - continental and indian fusion for lunch and dinner

Trophy Bar - bar menu, cocktails and cigars

Conclusion

If we returned I would have a difficult decision as to whether to try The Raas as it is right in the old part of city, here you are well out of the way. 

 

The service and food were excellent and I loved the pool area and gardens.  There was nothing particularly wrong with the room but the balcony let it down.

 

You are given a lovely gift on departure

 

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

Highly recommended for your stay in Jodhpur with lovely gardens and views of the Blue City. Click the logo to visit their website
 

portrait of past maharaja of jodhpur looking very much like eddie murphy with an inset of beatiful red stone balcony without fans which got incredibly hot
The hotbox balcony & Eddie Murphy lookalikes for company
bhom singh awaiting our arrival on the grand steps entrance to the hotel in full sikh costume sporting a magnificent moustache
Bhom Singh - your doorman in full traditional costume

 

Follow Debbie Allen:
Hi! Welcome to my life... travel is a lifelong hobby, bucket lists get longer... that's the whole joy of them! Originally from the UK I have now lived in Phuket, Thailand since 2008 and run a dream holiday rental agency on the island. In my free time I travel and thought it about time to share experiences, tips, do and dont's along with cherished memories and beautiful photographs - I hope you enjoy taking a digital trip alongside me and that you will emerge the other side with some new destinations in mind...

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