Perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur, Umaid
Bhawan Palace is the last of the great palaces of India and one of the largest
residences in the world, set amid 26 acres of lush gardens.
Guests step into a
royal world and lifestyle equipped with luxurious amenities. Each room and
suite showcases Art Deco style with a distinct ambiance.
Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present
Maharaja of Jodhpur, this golden-yellow sandstone monument – Umaid Bhawan
Palace – was conceived on the grandest possible scale, in the fashionable Art
Deco style of that time. After 15 years in construction, the 347-room palace
was finally completed in 1943 and has served as the principal residence of the
Jodhpur royal family since.
Its majestic 105-foot high cupola is influenced by the
Renaissance, while the towers draw inspiration from Rajput tradition. The
lavish interiors with gilt furniture and elegant artwork follow the Art Deco
style, complemented by the exotic murals by the self-exiled Polish artist
Stefan Norblin.
Umaid Bhawan Palace has a number of lovely suites on offer
for discerning travelers. The Maharani Suite, originally designed for and
graced by Umaid Singhs’ Maharani, is aptly dominated by a Norblin mural of the
Goddess Kali etched on shining black glass. All in pink, black, chrome and
mirror, the suite includes spacious private drawing and dining rooms with an
attached kitchenette, a large balcony with a spectacular view of the palace
gardens and the Mehrangarh Fort, a dressing room with a wardrobe, and a bath
carved out of a single piece of pink Italian marble designed by Norblin.
The Maharaja Suite, once Maharaja Umaid Singh’s own suite
just across the crystal fountain courtyard, exudes an earthy and masculine
ambience. It bears murals of leopards from Africa, tigers and horses, and even
of the famed Jodhpur sport of pig-sticking, by Norblin that are magnificently
complemented by flaming torch lamps in chrome, plush Ruhlmann sofas and a
delightful secret bar in the drawing room.
In the Royal Suites, luxurious Art Deco style offers mirror
finished terrazzos and large bedroom and sitting areas, overlooking Palace
Lawns and the fountain courtyard. These are extremely spacious with a living
room area, a bedroom, bathroom, dressing area, and a broad balcony. These
suites overlook the well-laid out gardens of the palace where peacocks strut on
the lawns in the mornings and in the distance, the city, and the spectacular
Mehrangarh Fort perched atop a hill. Since the palace was built with a melding
of Art Deco and Indian elements, these design styles run through these suites.
Paintings of Marwar/Jodhpur royalty and nobility adorn the walls and herald a
regal welcome for those entering this space. A mock fireplace adds to the sense
of drama of these suites.
The Regal Suites were once reserved for visiting royalty.
Each suite is different, with subtle underlying themes of a favorite color or
princely passion. These suites have a private sit-out with stunning palace
views of the panoramic lawns or courtyards. Deluxe rooms embellished with Art
Deco interiors and equipped with modern conveniences, these rooms meet the
expectations of the modern traveler even as they offer a glimpse into a
privileged lifestyle of a bygone era.
The Taj Spa at Umaid Bhawan Palace offers guests an
unparalleled experience, in the perfect environment of lavish comfort and
pampering. Boasting both Eastern and Western spa treatments, this luxurious spa
ensures that guests leave feeling refreshed, relaxed, and utterly in bliss.
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