Perched on a rocky outcrop above the desert capital of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace is the last of the great palaces of India. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, the grandfather of the present Maharaja of Jodhpur, this sandstone monument was completed in 1943, its awe-inspiring architecture a blend of eastern and western influences, its interiors adopting the fashionable Art Deco style of that period. Yet although Jodhpur’s royal family are still in residence here, since 1977 it has served as one of India’s finest heritage hotels, the Taj Group taking over in 2005 before treating it to extensive renovations.

Just 64 rooms and suites await, the Art Deco-style deluxe and luxury rooms complemented by a handful of individually designed Royal and Regal Suites that once served as the residences of visiting royalty. Dining here is also a bit of a journey into the past, the main restaurant celebrating a famous military victory of 1918, its imaginative ‘fusion’ menu
enhanced by flaming torch dinners and folk art performances. The aptly-titled Trophy Bar recalls the lifestyle of the maharajas complete with wild life memorabilia and faux animal print upholstery.

Yet leisure facilities are right up-to-the-minute, the temperature-controlled indoor and outdoor swimming pools complemented by the Taj Spa offering anything from Indian aromatherapy massages to tennis and squash facilities. A visit to the Palace Museum puts it all in perspective.

ACCOMMODATION: 64 ROOMS & SUITES.
ACCESS: 10 MINUTES DRIVE FROM THE AIRPORT.
CHILDREN: WELCOME YEAR-ROUND.
2 NIGHTS: FROM £245 P.P. IN THE LOW-SEASON. (FLIGHTS AND TRANSFERS EXTRA).
MEAL PLAN: BREAKFAST INCLUDED.