If you think you've experienced opulence, just you wait...

Restored to dazzling glory of the Maharajas, the Raj Palace in Jaipur, in India's northwestern state of Rajasthan was voted as the "World's Leading heritage hotel" by The World Travel awards 2007. It is one of several palace complexes and royal estates that dot this historic city, site of the Amber Fort, Albert Hall Museum, and the Jantar Mantar, a collection of buildings forming a outdoor observatory.

A suites-only hotel, true sybarites will head to the Palace Suites, once the royal apartments that today include living rooms, dining room, private access to a home theatre, gym, spa, pool, kitchen, staff accommodation, and library. Actually private pavilions within the Raj Palace, you can sit back in true Brahman style and at level of luxury unmatched. In the Pakriti (spa) guests can indulge in Ayurvedic treatments, including those using gold and silver. One of four award-winning eateries, the Swapna Mahal restaurant, designed in the stately elegance of European drawing rooms but with an Indian twist, guests are transported back to the regal receptions of old while enjoying very modern, multiethnic cuisines. After dinner, guests are invited to watch a traditional marionette show, once the delight of the Maharaja himself. Guests can even arrange to have a traditional royal welcome, replete with 21-gun salute and mounted horsemen.

Service? Check. Accolades? Check. Luxury coming out the wazoo? Checkity-check-check.

rajpalace.com

David Perry

11/5/08