In a region famous for its many palaces, Umaid Bhawan Palace stands out as something special. Designed in the 1920s by the renowned Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester, the palace was not completed until 1943 and is the last great palace of the Indian Raj. The palace is a unique fusion of art deco architecture and traditional Rajasthan design, built in a grand scale with golden sandstone and topped by a 105 foot tall dome. It took more than 5,000 workers 15 years to build the palace, and is unusual in that it does not use mortar or cement to bind the stones together. When finished, it was the largest private residence in the world, with almost 350 rooms.
The palace was converted into a hotel in 1972, and more recently has been managed by the Taj chain as the most luxurious hotel in Jodhpur. The Maharaja's family still live in one wing of the palace, and another part of the palace is open to the public as a museum, but the hotel is self contained and staying here is an unforgettable experience.
Umaid Bhawan Palace sits on Chittar Hill overlooking Jodhpur and facies the city's other great palace, the Meherangarh Fort with wonderful views from the terrace restaurant. There are a total of 64 luxurious appointed rooms and suites, all decorated in an art deco style, and guests can take advantage of the many facilities in the hotel, including both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa, health club and tennis courts.
