Photo via Google, Umaid Bhawan Palace, JodhpurUmaid Bhawan Palace
- Getting there
- On a low rise (Chittar Hill) at the edge of Jodhpur, about 15 minutes by car from the old Blue City
Why it’s in the log
Umaid Bhawan Palace was commissioned in the 1920s by Maharaja Umaid Singh, partly as famine-relief employment during a drought, and took until 1943 to finish. It's built from sandstone and marble around a central dome, and the Art-Deco interiors — the murals, the furniture commissioned from Stefan Norblin and Maples of London — are original to the build rather than a later theme.
The palace is split three ways: a public museum wing with the family's vintage cars and armoury, a private wing where the Jodhpur royal family still lives, and the hotel wing run by Taj. Staying there means marble corridors and domed common rooms built at a scale meant to be seen from across the desert, not just from inside a room.
It sits on its own rise at the edge of the city, a short drive from Mehrangarh Fort and the Blue City below — worth seeing both in the same visit, since the fort and the palace were built by the same dynasty two centuries apart.
What people said recently
From Google reviews · see all 30,530 ↗
“Our stay at Umaid Bhawan Palace was nothing short of extraordinary. Every moment reflected the timeless elegance and world-class hospitality the palace is known for, making our experience truly unforgettable. A very special mention goes to…”
“Our two-night stay at the Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace was nothing short of extraordinary. From the grand royal welcome to the heartfelt farewell, every moment reflected the true essence of royal hospitality. The magnificent palace, luxurious…”
“Had a wonderful stay at Umaid Bhawan Palace. Exceptional hospitality, delicious food, and a truly stunning palace. The aesthetic vibes, royal architecture, and grandeur make it an unforgettable experience. Every corner is beautiful and…”
