IDEAL GETAWAY

A stay at these palaces beckons you to dive back into the past and get a taste of what life must have been like in India’s golden era

Live life king size at India’s best royal palaces

BAL SAMADAR LAKE, Jodhpur

Bal Samand is a world away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The lake was engineered in the 12th century, but the exquisite red sandstone palace came later, built by Maharaja Jaswant Singh I of Jodhpur in the 17th century, at the very zenith of Rathore rule under the umbrella of the Mughal empire. Set in a private estate of over 60 acres, with sprawling orchards of lime and pomegranate, landscaped gardens are criss-crossed by elegant waterways and an aqueduct. The palace, with its lovely promenade on the lake, was always more than just a residence - it’s a pleasure palace in the finest Mughal tradition. In more recent times a tradition has developed with the royal family celebrating the first rains at Bal Samand. This custom has led to the palace being referred to as the Monsoon Palace. But today, after the successful completion of an ambitious restoration and modernisation program Bal Samand is a palace for all seasons and a world class heritage hotel with modern amenities.