Set in the serene desert of Rajasthan, Ajit Bhawan stands as on oasis of hospitality and warm Rajput charm. Built exclusively for Maharaj Sir Ajit Singhji the younger brother of Maharaja Umaid Singhji of the erstwhile Jodhpur state, Ajit Bhawan is vibrantly alive with the personalised hospitality provided by the late Maharaja's family who still live here.

The doors of this truly traditional yet subtlety contemporary estate are open to you. Ajit Bhawan offers you Old World elegance, with the modern

comforts of a classic heritage hotel and the essence of being a guest of the Maharaj's family. Every suite is unique with a distinctive feel of the Raj. Antiques from various periods and photographs from the family archives create an ambience that suggests a private home rather than a hotel room. These suites have luxurious marble bathrooms and all modern amenities.

The room staff is attentive but discreet. Behind the Maharaj's palace lies the popular village resort that has been attracting visitors for the last twenty years. Hidden in a rustic and lush green setting, surrounded by lawns, are unique garden bungalows, with its own distinct theme and comfortable amenities. They overlook the gardens with swings, and a garden bar to unwind and relax in privacy.

Deluxe Cottage with one king bed. Maximum occupancy two persons. Standard Cottage one king bed. Max occupancy two persons.

The extraordinary swimming pool with its natural rocky waterfall will lure you to its cool waters in the summer and for an afternoon tea at poolside in the winter. The health club is open all year around. The coffee shop and the garden bar are in close proximity to the pool. The ethereal atmosphere of the gardens lends itself to a magical evening of musical performers and dancers, while a host of delicious Rajasthani delights pamper your palate

Location

10 kms from airport and 8 kms from railway station.

Accomodation

50 Rooms & Suits, air-conditioned with attached bath, 24 hours room service, telephone and colour TV in each room,

Facilities

Room service, hot & cold running water, telephone, fax, television, safe deposit, channel music, bar & restaurants.

Address

Opposite Circuit House, Jodhpur - 343 006 (Rajasthan).

Hotel Balsamand Bhawan

Bal Samand Palace is a fine specimen of Rajput architecture in red sandstone surrounded by wide expanses of lush green gardens. It is built on the banks of Bal Samand Lake - a 13th century artificial lake. For centuries it has been an exquisite setting for royal leisure and recreation.

A short distance away from the Umaid Bhawan Palace in the city of Jodhpur, Bal Samand Palace is fine specimen of the Rajput architecture. Built in red sand stone and surrounded by wide expanses of lush green

gardens, it offers a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the lively town of the Bal Samand lake - a 13th century water reservoir that supplied drinking water to the city, it has been an exquisite setting for royal leisure and recreation for centuries. The palace has recently been converted into a hotel & now operational as a WelcomHeritage Hotel with all modern amenities.

It has well laid-out and tended gardens which for years served the royalty for picnics and other celebrations. Recently converted into a hotel with all the modern amenities and is an ideal place for a quiet holiday. Apart from the events within the palace like theme lunches and dinners, on the offer to the tourist are out door activities like excursions to nearby places of interest can be organised. Other facilities are a coffee shop and a swimming pool.

Nine palace suites and twenty six garden rooms tastefully appointed.

Royal Deluxe two twin beds: single/double occupancy. Superior Room two twin beds: single/double occupancy. Standard Garden Room two twin beds: single/double occupancy. One Bedroom Suite: single/double occupancy. Presidential Suite: single/double occupancy

Location

10 kms from airport and 8 kms from railway station

Accomodation

36 rooms & Suits, air-conditioned with attached bath, 24 hours room service, telephone and colour TV in each room,

Facilities

Room service, hot & cold running water, telephone, fax, television, safe deposit, channel music, bar & restaurants.

Address

Mandore Road, Jodhpur - 324 006 (Rajasthan).

Hotel Hari Mahal

As you arrive at Jodhpur, stop for a breath of fresh air at the new Taj Hari Mahal Palace. Taj Hari Mahal Palace is comfortably close to the hub of the city. The architecture of hotel is based on a design that masterfully blends prevalent motifs from the Mandore region encompassing Jodhpur, with contemporary elegance. Sweet harmony between the old with new. Come, share the glimpses of past, with your feet firmly in the present.

Nine palace suites and twenty six garden rooms tastefully appointed. Royal Deluxe two twin beds: single/double occupancy. Superior Room two twin beds: single/double occupancy. Standard Garden Room two twin beds: single/double occupancy. One Bedroom Suite: single/double occupancy. Presidential Suite: single/double occupancy

Location

4.5. kms from airport.

Accomodation

93 standard rooms, with 3 meeting rooms for business purpose, 2 board rooms for smaller conferences & large conference halls.

Facilities

Room service, H/C running water, telephone, fax, T.V., safe deposit, channel music, bar, restaurants and swimming pool.

Address

5, Residency Road, Jodhpur - 342 001 (Rajasthan).

Hotel Jhalamand Garh

The hotel offers a personalised sevice as it is run and managed by the Jhalamand royal family itself. Its proximity to Jodhpur, makes it an ideal place to spend a peaceful holiday in quiet rural atmosphere. It gives a guest a chance to see a traditional Rajput home and also participate in their customs. Evenings in the hotel are always very exciting with Kalbelia Tribal dances, Folk music, Folk dances with guests sitting around log wood fire.

The Castle offers 18 double rooms. Beautiful arched verandahs surround the open air dining hall where an aroma of delicately spiced food wafts over from the royal kitchens. Every recipe is traditional, handed down the generations. The fixed menu meals that you are offered is the very best in Rajasthan Cuisine, food favored by the Royalty.

The hotel is also famous for its Jeep Safari, Foot Trekking and Camel Safari. The famous Guda Bishnoi Lake is just 15 minutes drive from the hotel. It is a wild life sanctuary and is teaming with Black bucks, Chinkaras, Blue bulls, Desert fox, Hares, Partridges, Grouse etc.

Location

4.5. kms from airport.

Accomodation

93 standard rooms, with 3 meeting rooms for business purpose, 2 board rooms for smaller conferences & large conference halls.

Facilities

Telephone, Cable TV, Attached Bath, Running Hot & Cold Water.Laundry, Restaurant, Doctor on Call, Travel Desk, Parking

Address

Jhalamand, Distt: Jodhpur, Jhalamand 342005 (Rajasthan).

Hotel Karni Bhawan

Karni Bhawan, home to the erstwhile Jagirdars of Sodawas, Bhati Rajputs of the Lunar dynasty.

This delightful red sandstone bungalow of the 40's has been sensitively redone to meet the requirement of the discerning traveller.

Lush green gardens combine a homely spirit with hotel efficiency to make a stay at Karni Bhawan very good value indeed.

Karni Bhawan's exclusive Rajasthani cuisine is a special highlight, the team of its Chefs have delighted the Swiss in Switzerland for the six consecutive years with food festivals in Zurich, Luzern, Lausanne & Bern at leading hotels.

Our food is so popular, we have been invited again and again for this festival. Here at Karni Bhawan, it is a food festival every day.This Colonial bungalow was first converted into a Heritage Hotel which had 12 rooms in 1986. By the year 1994 the hotel had expanded to a strength of 31 luxury air conditioned and aircooled rooms and suites. All the 31 rooms and suites posses ethnic designs of Rajasthani festivity themes.All the rooms have modern attatched baths with running hot and cold water.

Another unique and special feature of Karni Bhawan is the personal care taken by the managment of the hotel and the hospitality extended to each guest by all the members of the family. Each Bedroom has special ambiance and charm.

Location

5. kms from airport.

Accomodation

31 rooms and suites posses ethnic designs of Rajasthani festivity themes.

Facilities

Breakfast buffet from at Tashli or Mosaic courtyard. Dinner buffet with live music and camp-fire from at Dhani.

During Summer, Pool side dinners with live music from 8 can be arranged. Oil massage: on request at Reception. Village Safari: To sight Wildlife/To visit the dwellings of different tribes, such as the Brishnois. Travel Desk : Taxi, Ticketing (Air/Rail/Bus)

Address

Jodhpur (Rajasthan).

Hotel Khimsar Fort

Perched on the edge of the Great Thar Desert in the heart of rural India, the unique fort at Khimsar offers a wide range of experiences. The fort was built by Rao Karamsiji, the 8th son of the Jodhpur founder, Rao Jodha, who moved to this region and founded the royal dynasty at Khimsar. The construction of the fort began in 1523 AD in the fairytale land of majestic forts and palaces. The fort's battle-scarred walls and turrets are

a tell-tale reminder of Khimsar's glorious past. In mid 18th century, the royal family moved in and a new 'zenana' (ladies' wing) was built with finely carved windows in stone grills to provide 'purdah' or veil for ladies-in-waiting. Subsequently, Thakur Onkar Singh built for himself a regal wing.

In 1997-98, the Khimsar Fort was awarded the Grand Heritage classification by the Department of Tourism, Government of India. A section of the fort still remains the residence of the royal family of Khimsar.

Location

65 kms from Jodhpur Airport/city.

Accomodation

65 Luxurious Air-Conditioned Room with refrigerators,Telephones,Phone Lines,Hot and cold Running Water.

Facilities

Multi-cuisine facilities, garden lunch and barbecue, Satellite TV and AC rooms, Swimming pool, tennis, badminton,Nature walks, bird watching, picnics, Conference facilities, Forest drive in wildlife sanctuary, Credit card, money exchange, Doctor on call

Address

P.O. BOX Khimsar, District Nagaur, Khimsar, Rajasthan.

Hotel Maharani Bagh Orchard

Maharani Bagh is a delightful orchard retreat situated between Jodhpur, Udaipur and Mount Abu. The orchards, surrounded by the Aravalli hills were laid out in the late 19th century by the Maharani of Jodhpur and have always been a favourite resort for the members of the Jodhpur royal family. It is only 4 km away from the famous Ranakpur Temples and 40 Km from the imposing Kumbalgarh Fort.

Rajasthan with a treasure of history, picturesque architecture and bewitching landscape is an unparalleled destination on the tourist map of India. A destination that defies definition.

Managed and marketed by WelcomHeritage hotels, Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat is nestled amidst the Aravalli Hills between Jodhpur; Udaipur; Mount Abu, Maharani Bagh is a delightful orchard retreat laid out by Maharaja Takhat Singh for his Maharani in the 19th century and have always been a favourite resort for the members of the Jodhpur Royal Family. It is only 4 km away from the famous Ranakpur Temples and the imposing Kumbalgarh Fort

Location

65 kms from Jodhpur Airport/city.

Accomodation

19 Luxurious Air-Conditioned Room with refrigerators,Telephones,Phone Lines,Hot and cold Running Water.

Facilities

18 air-conditioned and air-cooled rooms
Telephone and refrigerator in rooms
Running hot and cold water
Rajasthani, Indian and Continental cuisine
Television with satellite channels in rooms
Swimming pool, cycling
Tennis, badminton and jogging trail
Credit cards and money exchange
Conference facilities
Doctor on call

Address

Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat Sadri, Near Ranakpur Temples Ranakpur, 306 702.

Hotel Ranbanka Palace

Ranbanka Hotel exudes an aura distinctly its own - enhanced by its rich and varied collection of paintings, treasure troves and hunting trophies of yesteryear. Everything is well preserved by the royal family, which still uses a part of the building as its home. The magnificent sandstone building, built for Sir Ajit Singhji, the Maharajadhiraj of Jodhpur and younger brother of Maharaja Umaid Singh, tastefully blends the lavish interiors and modern comforts. Present day facilities are harmonized so as not to disturb the antiquity of the royal abode. Overlooking the

seemingly invincible Mehrangoarh Fort on one side and the gigantic Bhawan Palace on the other, the Best Western Ranbanka Hotel holds the lingering echoes of a bygone era like no other place.

The Best Western Ranbanka Hotel is on the circuit house road, leading to the airport, opposite Umald Bhawan Palace.

The magnificent sandstone building built for Maharajadhiraj of Jodhpur, Sir Ajit Singhji, the younger brother of Maharaja Umaid Singh, tastefully blends the lavish interiors and modern comforts. The rooms here are tastefully furnished with all modern amenities offering an array of personalized yet unobstrusive services.

The finest address in Jodhpur, Ranbanka Hotel offers an array of accommodation & services in a truly regal ambience.

The rooms here are tastefully furnished with colonial furniture, damask, upholstry and persian carpets on wooden floors.The hotel provides modern amenities offering an array of personalised yet unobtrusive services.

All rooms are air-conditioned and have attached spacious bathrooms, 24 hrs. hot & cold water, direct dial telephone, colour TV, refrigerator, room service and 24 hrs. satellite entertainment.

The palace has a colonial character where fire places, mantlepieces & arm chairs are more common than diwans & jharokas. It has a unique ambience with high comfort level

Location

2 kms from the airport, 3 kms from the railway station.

Accomodation

Number of Rooms: 31, Number of Floors: 2.

Facilities

Welcome drink on arrival
Fruit basket in the room
Hotel Doctor on call
Ample Car/bus parking
Same day Laundry
24 Hrs ISD/STD
Swimming Pool
Health Spa
Safety Lockers
24 hrs. Room Service
24 hrs. Money Exchange Counter
Beautician on call
24 hrs. Travel Assistance/ Desk
Business centre facility
Two Restaurants

Address

Near Circuit House, Jodhpur (Rajasthan).

Hotel Ratan Vilas Palace

Ratan Vilas Hotel exudes an aura distinctly its own - enhanced by its rich and varied collection of paintings, treasure troves and hunting trophies of yesteryear. Everything is well preserved by the royal family, which still uses a part of the building as its home. The magnificent sandstone building, built for Sir Ratan Singhji, the Maharajadhiraj of Jodhpur , tastefully blends the lavish interiors and modern comforts. Present day facilities are harmonized so as not to disturb the antiquity of the royal abode.

Location

2 kms from the airport , 3 kms from the railway station.

Accomodation

Number of Rooms: 16, Number of Floors: 2

Facilities

Same day Laundry
24 Hrs ISD/STD
Swimming Pool
Health Spa
Safety Lockers
24 hrs. Room Service
24 hrs. Money Exchange Counter
Beautician on call
24 hrs. Travel Assistance/ Desk

Address

Loco Shed Road, Ratananda, Jodhpur (Rajasthan).

Hotel Umaid Bhawan Palace

A splendid example of Indo-colonial and the art-deco style of the thirties, Umaid Bhawan is one of the largest and grandest private residences in the world. The palace was built between 1929 and 1943 and over 3000 artisans worked over 14 years to create this magnificent edifice. If there is one palace that combines architectural extravaganza with aesthetic triumph, it is the Umaid Bhawan Palace. If there is something that is best experienced than described, it is absolutely a stay at the Umaid Bhawan Palace.

From the time of the origin of Jodhpur to the present day, the Rathore capital suffered severe scarcity of water and drought followed with unfailing regularity every third or fourth year. A tradition developed among the Maharajas to alleviate the suffering of people by creating work. The work usually took the form of building canals, roads, temples, stepwells and palaces.

Rosita Forbes, travelling in the 1930s through Jodhpur, experienced firsthand the severe rainless times in Jodhpur, and described the goings-on:

The scarcity of water in the city has been remedied by the erection of a reservoir with eight pumping stations. Roads are spreading. Fine buildings are springing up on the outskirts of the lovely town.

Maharaja Umaid Singh conceived the Palace as the centerpiece of his massive famine-relief scheme. The acclaimed designs of Henry Lanchester for Cardiff City Hall and Law Courts/Central Hall, Westminster, impressed Maharaja Umaid Singh, and Lutyen's protégé was entrusted with the job.

It took 14 years and 3000 men to give shape to this stupendous expression. The Palace was designed as a smooth combination of European classical elements interlaced with oriental ones. Massive sandstone boulders were cut from a quarry at Surasagar near Jodhpur and transported by a special narrow-gauge train to the construction sites. Master masons chiselled these rough stones into blocks of five and seven tons. The blocks were then fitted in an interlocking fashion with no mortar or cement being used in the construction.

Furnished with fashionable Art Deco interiors by the Polish artist and decorator, S. Norblin, the palace consumed one million square feet of the finest marble. The world of Umaid Bhawan Palace contained everything that the royalty required – a private cinema hall, a luxurious swimming pool inlaid with tiles depicting the zodiac, gigantic royal suites, a soaring rotunda, fancy ball rooms, a majestic durbar hall, billiards room, ballrooms, banquet halls, libraries, staff quarters, servant quarters.

In 1977, Umaid Bhawan opened as one of India's grandest luxury hotels.

Indoor pool with a sun terrace, sauna, private museum, village safaris/camel rides.

Location

3 kms. from Airport, 5 kms. from Railway Station, 3 kms. from Bus Stand.

Accomodation

Number of Rooms: Total A/C Rooms 96, Number of Floors: 3

Facilities

Double A/C 63, Double Total 63, Suites A/C 33, Suites Total 33, Total Rooms 96, Centrally Airconditioned, 4, 250, 40, 3, 1,Indian, Continental, Chinese, Rajasthan, Business Centre, Room Service, H/C running water, Telephone, CCTV, Mini Refrigerator, Banquet Facilities, Conference Facilities, Beauty Parlour, Shopping Arcade, Health Club, Swimming Pool, Tennis, Golf, In House Theatre, Museum, Palmist Squash. Doctor on call, Laundry, Money Changer, Safe Deposit, Baby Sitting, Valet, Travel Desk Service

Address

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur - 342 006 (Rajasthan).