The Raj Palace (Small Luxury Hotels of the World)

The Raj Palace, first built in 1727, was originally known as the Chaumoo Haveli and was the project of Thakur Mohan Singh Ji, then Prime Minister of the Raj. The name is derived from Chaumoo, the prosperous town Thakur Mohan Singh Ji ruled as a noble.

In the modern era, the haveli was opened to the public by Princess Jayendra Kumari back in 1996 as a luxurious heritage hotel. The Princess herself oversaw the various restorations and renovations, especially for the hand-painted frescoes. The palace continues to be the residence of the descendants of Thakur Mohan Singh Ji. Some of these former residential rooms are now available as luxury suites, featuring their own private museum!

Over the years, the Raj Palace's signature royal welcome has embraced many dignitaries and celebrities from around the world. Some of these include British singer and actress Elaine Page, and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

The Raj Palace is an exemplar of not only hospitality but also Rajasthan's architectural legacy and traditions. The hotel's Rajputana architecture showcases beauty and intricacy, as well as the power and wealth of its residents.

Using the prescribed designs from the ancient Vastushastra texts, the Raj Palace depicts the courtyard as the center of its localized universe. This makes it visible and accessible from almost all parts of the palace. The walls, gateways, and walkways, on the other hand, were meant to highlight the royal family's authority.

Gardens are also an important part of an estate, and in the case of Raj Palace, it was where the royalty and their courtiers spent their hours leisurely. These would have involved banquets with delicious food, fine drinks, and beautiful music. The hotel's gardens follow traditional designs and patterns, such as the charbagh. Joyous and colorful celebrations such as Holi would also be held in the gardens.

Included with the hotel's modernizations are accessibility features for guests with mobility or vision impairments. Designated accessibility rooms will have tactile signs, as well as wheelchair-friendly bathrooms.

Swapna Mahal

With a name that means the Palace of Dreams, this on-site restaurant promises multi-cuisine fine dining amidst a lavish setting decorated with ostentatious European furniture and chandeliers. They also offer Royal Thali dinners presented in the same way they were served to the royal family.

Serves: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Royal Lounge Cafe

This is a beautiful cafe with a celebrity museum, serving Western and Indian course meals, and lighter fare such as salads and sandwiches. Guests can avail of a traditional Afternoon Tea experience at the courtyard, served from 3 pm until 6 pm.

Serves: All-Day Dining

Shikarbadi Bar

This bar boasts an old-world charm reminiscent of when Indian royals and European nobility discussed their excursions and explorations over fine liquors and wines and tasty game meat.

Opening hours: 6 pm - 11 pm

The Kebab Shop

Featuring a team of highly skilled royal chefs from Lucknow, the Kebab Shop delights guests with a memorable outdoor dining experience. You can enjoy the finest barbecued meats paired with imported champagnes and vintages fit for the royal family.

Opening hours: 7 pm - 11 pm

Reservations: Guests can contact the hotel via email to make reservations at their desired restaurant.

The Raj Palace is a fantastic location for your destination wedding not only because of its grandeur, but also for practical reasons such as its large venues. A wedding at the palace hotel will also ensure you'll have access to in-house catering, decorators, and event performers. Some of the event spaces in the hotel are:

Charbagh: Massive courtyard garden divided into four geometric plots

Capacity: 700 seated guests

Maharani Bagh: Lawn courtyard that was once assigned to the Maharani Sahiba and female members of the family.
Capacity: 700 seated guests

Mefil Mahal: Luxurious modern ballroom with a gold motif
Capacity:: 200 seated guests

Diwan-E-Aam: Open-air courtyard once used by the Thakur for public audiences
Capacity: 150 seated guests

Fountain Courtyard: Open-air marble terrace and location of the Kebab Shop restaurant
Capacity: 150 seated guests

Diwan-E-Khaas: Intricate audience hall featuring white marble inlaid with gems
Capacity: 120 seated guests

Moti Chowk: Plaza in the northwest corner of the palace with white marble floors and a central fountain
Capacity: 80 seated guests

Cultural Events and Experiences

Enrich your mind and spirit during your visit to Jaipur by partaking in the many immersive activities The Raj Palace can guide you to. Guests who would love to take the diverse flavors of India back home are highly encouraged to sign up for the cooking classes. Artsy types can ask the concierge for assistance in finding off-site art galleries. Seeing the intricate works of local masters and budding talents will be a fine way to appreciate Jaipur's cultural scene. The city is also filled with numerous historic sites and landmarks, which can be visited as part of a cultural tour or class. Step into the City Palace and see the royal residence of the Maharaja, along with visiting the palace's museum wing. Also part of the palace complex is Jantar Mantar , a traditional open-air astronomical observatory recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The people of Jaipur love their festivals, so be sure to join in if you get the chance. Holi is a colorful spring celebration usually held in March, while Diwali illuminates the darkest autumn nights with warm illuminations and merry feasts.

Other Celebrations

The Raj Palace can also cater to smaller events such as personalized birthdays. Make sure to coordinate with staff and management so they can arrange that perfect milestone moment for you.