Inside the ‘opulent’ Rambagh Palace – the best hotel in the world, according to Tripadvisor
According to Tripadvisor, it’s the number one hotel in the world – and these photos go some way to explaining why it took the crown.
Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, India, topped the global “Top Hotels” list in Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotels ranking for 2023, after analyzing reviews from 1.5 million properties.
Tripadvisor says of the number one: ‘This luxury hotel converted from an 1835 palace, also called “The Jewel of Jaipur”, has an incredible extravagance.”
The review site adds that the “lush” retreat is “loved for its Polo Bar, historic suites and afternoon tea.”
With more than 5,400 coveted five-bubble reviews on Tripadvisor, the hotel attracts familiar faces and has hosted guests such as King Charles, Jackie Onassis and Lord Mountbatten.
Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, India, is the number one hotel in the world according to Tripadvisor. Above this is the hotel’s Grand Presidential Suite
The retreat topped the global “Top Hotels” list in Tripadvisor’s recent Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotels ranking for 2023, after analyzing reviews from 1.5 million properties
Tripadvisor says: ‘This luxury hotel converted from an 1835 palace, also known as “The Jewel of Jaipur”, possesses incredible extravagance’
The property, which is eight kilometers outside the walls of Jaipur – known as the ‘pink city’ thanks to the buildings’ dusty pink facades – started as a garden house for the Queen’s chief lady-in-waiting, Maharani Chandravati, in 1835 and was later turned into in a royal hunting lodge.
It was converted into a palace in the early 20th century, with Maharajah Sawai Man Singh II adding several royal suites to the property in the 1930s.
A hotel since the 1950s, it now offers 78 ‘stunningly restored’ rooms and suites that used to be the Maharaja’s quarters.
A Tripadvisor reviewer said of the hotel: ‘This is probably the closest thing to living in a fairytale’
Rambagh Palace has over 5,400 coveted ‘five-bubble’ reviews on Tripadvisor. The property started as a garden house for the Queen’s chief lady-in-waiting, Maharani Chandravati, in 1835 and was later turned into a royal hunting lodge
The retreat 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
A statement from the hotel says: ‘The palace retains its elaborate splendour, extravagantly decorated with hand-carved marble “jalis” or latticework, sandstone balustrades, domes… and elaborate Mughal gardens. [a style of gardens influenced by India’s Mughal Emperors].’
During a stay, guests can enjoy a ‘royal Indian feast’ at the Suvarna Mahal restaurant, the palace’s former ballroom built in the 18th-century French style with ‘massive’ crystal chandeliers.
Afternoon tea is enjoyed outdoors under the shade of the Verandah Cafe umbrellas. You can also enjoy international dishes at the all-day dining restaurant Rajput Room or tuck into wood-fired pizzas at the Steam lounge bar.
The hotel’s aforementioned Polo Bar, meanwhile, is filled with the Jaipur polo team’s trophies and memorabilia and serves signature cocktails, whiskeys and single malts.
Rambagh Palace has been a hotel since the 1950s and today offers 78 ‘stunningly restored’ rooms and suites that used to be the Maharaja’s quarters
The hotel is said to be “extravagantly decorated” with hand-carved marble grilles and sandstone balustrades. The spa (above) offers “ancient Indian wellness therapies”
The Rajput Room restaurant (left) offers all-day dining for international dishes. Afternoon tea, meanwhile, is enjoyed outdoors in the shade of the Verandah Cafe’s umbrellas
The hotel’s Polo Bar is filled with the trophies and memorabilia of Jaipur’s polo team and serves signature cocktails, whiskeys and single malts
A Tripadvisor reviewer described the hotel as “a beautiful spectacle that everyone should experience at least once in their life”
Those seeking even more pampering can indulge in ‘ancient Indian wellness therapies’ or a meditation session at the J Wellness Circle spa.
Many Tripadvisor reviews of the hotel are loaded with praise, with users ‘Keshav Jumani’ describes it as ‘a wonderful spectacle that everyone should experience at least once in their life’.
Reviewer ‘Stefania C’ wrote: ‘Everywhere you go in the palace you feel like a royal!’
And user ‘ardingPass723440’ commented, ‘This is probably as close as one gets [to] living a fairy tale.’
At the time of writing, rooms are priced from £317 per night. Visit tajhotels.com.