To stay here amid all the incredible old-world opulence is to really get a taste of Jodhpur’s gilded glory.
One part of this royal property is owned by the Taj Group of Hotels, while the other half is where the present Maharaja still lives with his family.
We went to celebrate my father’s retirement last to last year. We booked 2 rooms for 2 nights stay. We booked the Palace Room on standard rates which had a rate of ~48K/night/per room plus taxes as I was going to use Amex vouchers. Roughly around 226K including taxes for both the rooms for 2 nights.
I used my 336K Amex MR points to redeem for 14 x 14K Taj vouchers from Gold Collection. For the remaining amount of 30K Taj experience gift cards I bought from Amex reward multiplier by my gold card with 5% discount.
I Had booked 3 Air India economy seats from Delhi to Jodhpur from my remaining flying return points 5.5K miles/per pax each way and bought 1 revenue ticket ~ 12k return.
2 BMW series 7 were sent for our pickup from the airport. Airport pick up to Hotel journey was barely 15minutes. We were at the gates even before we could soak in and enjoy the ride.
The palace sits atop the Chittar Hill and offers magnificent views of the city and of soft sand dunes that stretch out far till they seem to merge into the horizon.
The hotel is only open to all guests who have booked a stay there and the royal family’s living quarters are of course off-limits for visitors. However, the museum at the Umaid Bhawan Palace is open for all visitors and guests do not need to buy tickets.
We were greeted by our names on arrival and given a welcome drink. While we relaxed under the dome in the main palace, all the checkin formalities were completed smoothly and quickly.
I had mentioned during my booking that we are here to celebrate my father’s retirement and all of us are doctors from Delhi.
To our surprise they had upgraded both our palace rooms to Grand Royal 1 bedroom suites to make it special for us.
This suite was going for ~ 3Lakh/per night/per suite. Total revenue rate for 2 suites for 2 nights would have been 12 Lakh plus taxes to about 14lakhs. Having used only 336K MR points, the value I received was far from real.
The dome in the main building rises up to a height of 103 feet of the inside, capped by a 43-feet high outer dome is marvel to see from inside.
We were escorted to our suites with our personal butler who takes care of your every need, right from picking you up from the airport and dropping you back; right from the furniture of your bedroom to the meal you have, everything is just too grand to be true, you can actually feel that you are in the lap of luxury at all times.
The suites were huge and lavish, a living room with separation for the bedroom, connecting with dressing/lounge room with huge bathroom with separate bathtubs.
These suites were originally reserved for visiting royalty, the Grand Royal Suites are designed in the influential Art Deco style with antique furniture. Each suite is unique, with an exclusive colour scheme or princely passion theme.
All the guests are given a small tour of the Palace together showcasing different areas and explaining the history and architecture of the palace. Taking a walk around here is like taking a trip back in time.
There are lush, landscaped Baradari Lawns in where every evening a cultural performance is there of folk Rajasthani dance and songs.
The sunset from the staircases watching the performances and peacocks walking around in background is experiencing luxury like the royals did.
Risala with authentic Rajasthani and Indian cuisine was a gem where we had lunch and dinner. Pillars, set in a lovely colonnaded veranda had a huge breakfast spread. A Gastronomical journey indeed was fulfilled.
These days would forever be etched in our hearts for the special moments and the way staff surpassed all expectations with their warm hospitality and impeccable service.
Wish we had more than 2 nights to soak in amd relive a fascinating bygone era in a magnificent piece of Rajasthan’s heritage, Home of the erstwhile Jodhpur royal family and currently the world’s sixth-largest private residence.
Link for Video of the Suite and the Hotel Walk-in
One part of this royal property is owned by the Taj Group of Hotels, while the other half is where the present Maharaja still lives with his family.
We went to celebrate my father’s retirement last to last year. We booked 2 rooms for 2 nights stay. We booked the Palace Room on standard rates which had a rate of ~48K/night/per room plus taxes as I was going to use Amex vouchers. Roughly around 226K including taxes for both the rooms for 2 nights.
I used my 336K Amex MR points to redeem for 14 x 14K Taj vouchers from Gold Collection. For the remaining amount of 30K Taj experience gift cards I bought from Amex reward multiplier by my gold card with 5% discount.
I Had booked 3 Air India economy seats from Delhi to Jodhpur from my remaining flying return points 5.5K miles/per pax each way and bought 1 revenue ticket ~ 12k return.
2 BMW series 7 were sent for our pickup from the airport. Airport pick up to Hotel journey was barely 15minutes. We were at the gates even before we could soak in and enjoy the ride.
The palace sits atop the Chittar Hill and offers magnificent views of the city and of soft sand dunes that stretch out far till they seem to merge into the horizon.
The hotel is only open to all guests who have booked a stay there and the royal family’s living quarters are of course off-limits for visitors. However, the museum at the Umaid Bhawan Palace is open for all visitors and guests do not need to buy tickets.
We were greeted by our names on arrival and given a welcome drink. While we relaxed under the dome in the main palace, all the checkin formalities were completed smoothly and quickly.
I had mentioned during my booking that we are here to celebrate my father’s retirement and all of us are doctors from Delhi.
To our surprise they had upgraded both our palace rooms to Grand Royal 1 bedroom suites to make it special for us.
This suite was going for ~ 3Lakh/per night/per suite. Total revenue rate for 2 suites for 2 nights would have been 12 Lakh plus taxes to about 14lakhs. Having used only 336K MR points, the value I received was far from real.
The dome in the main building rises up to a height of 103 feet of the inside, capped by a 43-feet high outer dome is marvel to see from inside.
We were escorted to our suites with our personal butler who takes care of your every need, right from picking you up from the airport and dropping you back; right from the furniture of your bedroom to the meal you have, everything is just too grand to be true, you can actually feel that you are in the lap of luxury at all times.
The suites were huge and lavish, a living room with separation for the bedroom, connecting with dressing/lounge room with huge bathroom with separate bathtubs.
These suites were originally reserved for visiting royalty, the Grand Royal Suites are designed in the influential Art Deco style with antique furniture. Each suite is unique, with an exclusive colour scheme or princely passion theme.
All the guests are given a small tour of the Palace together showcasing different areas and explaining the history and architecture of the palace. Taking a walk around here is like taking a trip back in time.
There are lush, landscaped Baradari Lawns in where every evening a cultural performance is there of folk Rajasthani dance and songs.
The sunset from the staircases watching the performances and peacocks walking around in background is experiencing luxury like the royals did.
Risala with authentic Rajasthani and Indian cuisine was a gem where we had lunch and dinner. Pillars, set in a lovely colonnaded veranda had a huge breakfast spread. A Gastronomical journey indeed was fulfilled.
These days would forever be etched in our hearts for the special moments and the way staff surpassed all expectations with their warm hospitality and impeccable service.
Wish we had more than 2 nights to soak in amd relive a fascinating bygone era in a magnificent piece of Rajasthan’s heritage, Home of the erstwhile Jodhpur royal family and currently the world’s sixth-largest private residence.
Link for Video of the Suite and the Hotel Walk-in
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