The landscape of India is dotted with royal forts, palaces, and retreats; the kings of India are fond of lavish lifestyle and they decorate and build their palaces in a royal style. The royal palaces of India are great attractions for the heritage tourists. Some of the royal palaces of the country has been converted into heritage retreats and maintained by the prestigious groups of Hotel chains. Even some of the modern retreats of India are also built in royal palace style to echo the grandeur and royalty of past. The craftsmanship of the royal palaces is even matter of research, how the craftsman built the palaces in indigenous style. Before independence India has about 562 princely states ruled by the maharajas.
Rajasthan, the semi-desert state of India had the princely states of Rajputs. The Rajput forts and palaces are emblem of brilliant architecture and craftsmanship. Now some of the major palaces and forts of Rajasthan have been converted into heritage hotels where one can enjoy their stay in a royal style. The famous palace hotels of Rajasthan are Samode Palace, Rambagh, Raj Palace Hotel, Jai Mahal Palace in Jaipur, Devigarh, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Fateh Bagh, Fateh Prakash Palace, Taj Lake Palace, etc. The havelis of Rajasthan also have been converted into heritage hotels. Umaid Bhawan Palace of Jodhpur is one of the largest private buildings of the world and one part of it now has been converted into heritage hotel.Wankaner is one of the famous palace turned heritage hotels in Gujarat. Madhya Pradesh boasts of also many palaces and hunting lodges. In south, Mysore and Bangalore house some of the royal palaces of Tipu Sultan. The Nayak Palace of Madurai is also a feast to the eye which has a union of several decorative elements. The Padmanabhapuram Palace, erstwhile the capital of the Travancore ruler is also one of the must see royal palace in south India.
Some of the modern palace accommodations of India are Leela Palace, Bangalore; Taj Mahal Palace and Towers, Mumbai; Taj Palace Delhi; Noor us Subah Palace Bhopal; Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur among others. One can embark on a royal palace heritage tour to India or relaxation tour to royal palace.
