Hotels

The image of Peter O’Toole enveloped in his white robes riding through the desert in the film “Lawrence de Arabia”, is a clear example of the romantic perception we have in the west of what life is like in such burning hot places, where sheiks set themselves up as lords and masters of magnificent palaces, loaded with extravagant luxuries and countless secrets.

This fabulous world, ruled by ancient traditions, mystery and opulence, and which gave birth to the stories of “A thousand and one nights” is now within reach of travelers on the lookout for a new experience. And now this experience is available to guests at the Umaid Bhawan Palace located in the highest part of the city of Jodhpur, in India.

We should begin by stating that this is in fact a real palace. It was built between the years 1927 and 1944 by the Maharajah or great king Umaid Singh, grandfather of the current Maharaja of the city. He ordered this impressive fortress to be built in order to provide employment for his people, who were facing a distressing famine at the time. The result of these 15 years of hard work was a superb palace with 347 rooms and 26 acres of gardens, which even today is counted among the world’s biggest residences.

In 1977 while one part of the property was reserved for the royal family’s use, the rest was converted into a museum, as well as providing accommodation for the luxury Umaid Bhawan Palace Hotel, where guests can enjoy an exotic Oriental experience with all the comforts of the west.

In constructing the hotel, its operator the Taj Hotels chain, was at pains to preserve the property’s best architectural features. This has ensured that guests are able to appreciate the balance achieved by architect Henry Lanchester between the Oriental and western influences, such as the impressive 105 feet high Renaissance style cupola that dominates the building and the sandstone towers, which are reminders of the tribal traditions of the Rajput people who ruled this region.

In pursuit of this objective, the hotel chain also decorated the hotel’s interior in the art deco style of the first half of the twentieth century, reflecting the idiosyncrasies, passions and tastes of the grand kings that lived in the Palace.

This theme can be clearly seen in the hotel’s bedrooms. For example the Maharani Suite welcomes its guests with a huge mural etched in black glass representing the goddess Kali. This first impression gives way to other details such as the private drawing room, the large dining room, the bath carved out of a single block of pink Italian marble or the view from the balcony of the Mehrangarh Fortress, one of the city’s most important tourist attractions.

For its part the Maharaja Suite is named because it formed part of the king’s private accommodation. This gives the suite a strong masculine influence, with murals portraying African leopards, tigers and horses. The detailing is also remarkable such as the lamps in the shape of torches that light the bedroom, and the secret bar hidden away in the grand drawing room.

The Royal Suite is similarly endowed with the additional advantage of its balconies from which, guests can observe peacocks strutting calmly through the hotel’s gardens in the morning.

This richness and opulence is also evident in the palace hotel’s restaurants, of which there are three: the Risala (meaning chivalry), with walls decorated with paintings of the Jodhpur Lancers who defeated the Turks at Haifa in 1918. This restaurant specializes in Hindu dishes, accompanied by wines from a select cellar of national and imported vintages. The Pillars Café serves a lighter menu, and offers a beautiful view of the city and the hotel gardens. Finally, guests can enjoy a cocktail, a glass of wine or a beer in the Trophy Bar, to the backdrop of articles reflecting the Maharajahs’ taste for hunting and fishing.

These restaurants are famous for their themed dinners where guests can experience the mysterious and romantic spirit of the Arabian Nights. The waiters wear costumes typical of the region, with their beautiful turbans and multicolored robes. Diners are entertained with a series of shows ranging from music and dance to parades of horses and luxury cars.

Against this background it is no surprise that the Umaid Bhawan Palace was chosen by model Elizabeth Hurley as the perfect location for her exclusive and romantic wedding to Arun Nayar. Just like many other couples in love, they wanted this majestic place that guarantees its visitors an experience fit for a king, as a backdrop to their love story.

Umaid Bhawan Palace
Jodhpur – 342006, Rajasthan, India
Telephone: (91-291) 251 0101
ubpresv.jodh@tajhotels.com
www.tajhotels.com