Live like Rajasthani royalty at this 475-year-old palace hotel

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Set in the rugged hills of Rajasthan, the Samode Palace is an architectural gem that dates back nearly five centuries.

An hour’s drive from state capital Jaipur, the structure has been through several incarnations over its long history. It began as a fort in the 16th century, built to protect local rulers; during the 19th century it was transformed into an opulent palace; finally, in 1987, it was remodeled into a luxury hotel.

For guests, “it’s a chance to go back into history … and experience what royal families experienced,” says Yadavendra Singh, a descendant of the rulers who built the fort, and now co-owner of the hotel.

Samode Palace, Jaipur: Set in the rugged hills of Rajasthan, the Samode Palace dates back nearly five centuries. It began as a fort in the 16th century, built to protect local rulers; during the 19th century it was transformed into an opulent palace; finally, in 1987, it was remodeled into a luxury hotel.

Samode Palace, Jaipur: Its current owners added two restaurants and a rooftop infinity pool while meticulously preserving the building's heritage features. Click on to see more stunning palace hotels in India.

Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur: The spectacular sandstone exterior of the Umaid Bhawan palace in the state of Rajasthan, northwest India. Still the primary residence of the royal Maharaja of Jodhpur, a third of the facility was transformed into a hotel in 1972.

Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur: Visitors can purchase a night in one of Umaid Bhawan's basic suites or splash out for a room with a spa. Those fortunate enough may even cross paths with the Maharaja himself during their stay.

Raj Palace, Jaipur: Home to regional royalty as far back as the 18th century, the award-winning Raj Palace in Jaipur is one of the world's top heritage hotels.

Raj Palace, Jaipur: Visitors can choose from 29 unique bedrooms and take advantage of the hotel's luxury swimming pool, spa and dining areas.

Rambagh Palace, Jaipur: Rambagh Palace in Jaipur housed regional royalty from the early years of the 20th century until 1957 when it was transformed into a luxury hotel. The facility has since hosted illustrious travelers such as Prince Charles and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Rambagh Palace, Jaipur —

Rambagh Palace, Jaipur: An elaborate double room at the Rambagh Palace hotel in Jaipur.

Devi Garh, Delwara: The picturesque Devi Garh, roughly 30 kilometers from the city of Udaipur, was royal residence to the rulers of Delwara principality from the 18th until the mid-20th century.

Devi garh —

Devi Garh, Delwara: Today, the fort-palace situated high in the hills enables travelers to dine, sleep and relax like royalty whilst drinking in the majestic surroundings of the Indian countryside.

Deogarh Mahal, Deogarh —

Deogarh Mahal, Deogarh: The brightly colored exterior of the Deogarh Mahal hotel in the state of Rajasthan. Once home to some of the most powerful feudal barons in the region, the rural residence is now a popular stop-off for well-to-do tourists.

Deogarh Mahal, Deogarh —

Deogarh Mahal, Deogarh: Waiters in traditional attire stand poised in the dining room of the Deogarh Mahal hotel.

Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad: Another of the Taj Group's palatial Indian properties, Falaknuma Palace was once home to the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad.

Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad —

Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad: The elaborate ballroom at the Taj Falaknuma. Transforming the palace into a 60-suite hotel whilst maintaining the buildings regal character took the Taj Group the best part of 10 years.

India's royal hotels

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Having spent weekends and vacations there as children, Singh and his brother, Raghavendra, inherited the palace in the 1980s and decided to convert it into a hotel for 80-plus guests.

They added two restaurants and a rooftop infinity pool while meticulously preserving the building’s heritage features, including colorful frescoes and the spectacular, glass-tiled Shish Mahal – a “hall of mirrors” Singh’s forebears used as a space for entertaining.

Singh says the biggest challenge was to “very aesthetically and very sensitively try and restore the existing building and to add modern amenities without spoiling the charm of the old world.”

It was worth the effort, he says.

“It has helped us to maintain our lineage, our culture,” while guests “get a chance to experience a bygone era.”

Watch the above video for a taste of royal Rajasthani life.

Samode Palace, Village Samode, Tehsil Chomu, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303806, India; +91 1423 240 014