Daily Times

It’s the number one hotel in the world according to Tripadvisor – and these pictures go some way to explaining why it’s been handed the crown.

Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, India, topped the global ‘Top Hotels’ list in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotels ranking for 2023, following an analysis of reviews of 1.5million properties.

Tripadvisor says of the number one: ‘Dubbed “The Jewel of Jaipur”, this 1835 palace-turned-luxurious hotel holds unbelievable extravagance.’

The review site adds that the ‘opulent’ retreat is ‘beloved for its Polo Bar, historic suites, and
high tea’.

Luring in famous faces, the hotel, which has more than 5,400 coveted ‘five-bubble’ reviews on Tripadvisor, has hosted the likes of King Charles, Jackie Onassis and Lord Mountbatten.

The property, which is set five miles outside the walls of Jaipur – known as the ‘Pink City’ thanks to the dusty pink facades of its buildings – started out as a garden home for the chief lady-in-waiting to the queen, Maharani Chandravati, in 1835 and was later turned into a royal hunting lodge.

It was transformed into a palace in the early 20th century, with Maharajah Sawai Man Singh II adding several royal suites to the property in the 1930s.

It’s been a hotel since the 1950s and today offers 78 ‘stunningly restored’ rooms and suites that were formerly the chambers of the Maharaja.

A statement from the hotel says: ‘The palace retains its elaborate splendour, extravagantly decorated with hand-carved marble “jalis” or latticework, sandstone balustrades, cupolas… and elaborate Mughal Gardens [a style of gardens influenced by India’s Mughal Emperors].’

During a stay, guests can indulge in a ‘royal Indian feast’ at Suvarna Mahal restaurant, the former palace ballroom built in the 18th-century French style with ‘huge’ crystal chandeliers.

Afternoon tea is taken al fresco under the shade of the umbrellas of the Verandah Cafe. Guests can also dine on international cuisine in the all-day-dining restaurant, Rajput Room, or feast on wood-fired pizzas at the lounge bar, Steam.

The hotel’s aforementioned Polo Bar, meanwhile, is filled with the trophies and memorabilia of the Jaipur polo team, and serves up signature cocktails, whiskies and single malts.

Those seeking further pampering can enjoy ‘ancient Indian wellness therapies’ or a meditation session at the J Wellness Circle spa.

Many Tripadvisor reviews of the hotel are laden with praise, with user ‘Keshav Jumani’ describing it as ‘a splendid spectacle that everyone must experience at least once in their lifetime’. Reviewer ‘Stefania C’ wrote: ‘Anywhere you go in the palace you feel like a Royal!’

And user ‘ardingPass723440’ remarked: ‘This is probably as close as one gets living a fairytale.’