10 royal stays outside Rajasthan that deserve their own Netflix show!

Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

An interesting bit of trivia? The Falaknuma Palace’s name translates to “mirror of the sky”. Perched high above the city of pearls, the aptly named palace-turned-hotel once belonged to the Nizams of Hyderabad. Their affinity for the arts and love for all things opulent lives on amidst the space’s storied walls.

Chuck your to-do for these must-dos. Gorge on some Awadhi cuisine, sway to the live Qawwali performances, and sink into a royal reverie of rest and relaxation!

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Ahilya Fort Hotel, Maheshwar

Forget the queen’s corgis, we’re heart-eyed over the Ahilya Fort Hotel’s precious pugs! Perched on the banks of the Narmada, the hotel is a microcosm of its own. With scenic courtyards, sprawling gardens and views for days, the 18th-century structure serves you a slice of the royal life with a homely touch. 

Watch the tide rise and fall from the palace’s many scenic viewpoints. Indulge in the menu prepared in-house by Prince Richard Holkar with fresh produce from the palace’s organic farms, changed on the daily. At Ahilya, you’re not just a visitor. You’re a cherished guest.

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Neemrana Deo Bagh, Gwalior

There’s more than what meets the eye at Deo Bagh. Not just a stunning historical structure, the property is home to a sprawling Char Bagh (frequented by multiple dynasties across history), two 17th-18th century Maratha temples and the piece de resistance at the heart of it all — a 36-pillared pavilion.

The property’s sprawling grounds have seen it all. From important state meetings during Rani of Jhansi’s battle against the British to a home for the Jadhav family post independence, its stunning walls have borne witness to history time and time again. If only the walls could speak!

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THE Lotus Palace Chettinad, Karaikudi

Not one, not two but thousands of traditional Chettinad mansions lay dotted across the city of Karaikudi. THE Lotus Palace Chettinad relays a 21st century tribute to these iconic structures, all within a lovingly refurbished space that dates back to the 17th century.

Burmese teak pillars and vibrant Attangudi tiles decorate the interiors, a mix of furniture and antique pieces collected by Priya Paul, Chairperson, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, dotting the suites. Could there be a better site than the courtyards decorated with kolam for a warm sip of filter coffee? We think not!

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Rambha Palace, Rambha

Meticulously restored over 6 years, Rambha’s terracotta-hued exteriors are a sight to behold inside out. And it was all well worth the effort. The 200-year-old residence seeps in calm, located in close proximity to Chilika lake’s mesmerising blues.

The design language brims with vintage glamour straight out of a bygone era, all of it punctuated with eye-catching craftsmanship. There’s plenty to stare at. Look away from the sprawling courtyards and gardens outdoors, and you might just spot members of the area’s teeming avian fauna flitting by!

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The LaLiT Grand Palace, Srinagar

What’s more stunning than the sight of a palace? One that’s covered with snow!

Designed and built by Maharaja Pratap Singh back as early as 1910, The LaLiT Grand Palace sits amid the Himalayan ranges’ frosty embrace, merely a skipping stone away from Dal Lake. Its walls and Chinar trees have bore witness to key moments across history (one in the courtyard famously having been the third, silent spectator in a conversation between Mahatma Gandhi and Maharaja Hari Singh)

The suits are a warm mish-mash of toe-curling rugs, antique furniture and Kashmir’s world-renowned handicrafts.

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Jehan Numa Palace Hotel, Bhopal

The late 1800s. A pivotal point in history when a cultural tug-of-war dotted India’s landscape. Amidst this turbulent time, the Jehan Numa Palace was born. A distinctive Nawabi andaz meets British Colonial, Italian Renaissance and classical Greek architecture in this 19th-century structure. The hotel is a historical site serving Bhopal’s famed royal hospitality to cosmopolitan travellers today.

The General’s Table, a dinner spread curated by the hotel’s chefs, is a delicious affair brimming with royal regional recipes popular across Madhya Pradesh. A meal and a stay fit for royalty, indeed!

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Belgadia Palace, Mayurbhanj

Bridgerton Season 3, we’re looking at you. Once a haven for artists and guests of the royal family, the Belgadia palace screams royalty in elegant uppercase. The pearly white exteriors hide within a sea of opulence captured in striking jewel tones, with hints of tropical art deco.

Helmed by Maharajkumari Mrinalika and Akshita M Bhanj Deo, the 48th generation heirs of the royal family, the palace perches amid Odisha’s wilderness in all its picturesque glory.

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Ran Baas The Palace, Patiala

Palatial with a touch of contemporary, Ran Baas by THE Park Hotels’ future-forward design skilfully borrows from the past. Here, jharokhas aren’t just reserved for the windows — they frame the interiors within. With tone-on-tone mouldings, block prints paired with stripes and chandeliers galore, the hotel embodies modern royalty!

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The Heritage Club – Tripura Castle Hotel & Spa

It’s difficult to find a spot that’s not picturesque at The Heritage Club – Tripura Castle Hotel & Spa. Not only does it come with the advantage of Shillong’s beautiful, rolling hills and flora, the castle itself is a cosy sight cast amid the greens in pearly whites, browns and rusty reds. What better way to explore the Scotland of the East than residing in a Castle, after all?

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Read more: At the Gudliya Suite, Jaipur City Palace, come for the art and architecture but stay for the stories