Rajasthan is made up of a number of small kingdoms centred on the major towns. The maharajas no longer have political power but are widely respected. Because they no longer have the power to tax their citizens they have had to look for other income streams to fund their lifestyles. A number have converted their palaces into hotels, while reserving some space for their own use. We have stayed in three or four of these. They are generally a bit worn or faded in places, but often have huge rooms and impressive architecture and grounds.
Our most recent stay was in Bal Samand Lake Palace in Jodhpur. Our rooms were in converted stables set in 300 acres of beautiful grounds with a large man-made lake, swimming pool, temple, step well, and aqueduct.
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| The stables, converted to 25 rooms. |
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| The Peacock Fountain - dry during this time of year. |
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| They still keep a few horses, which are available for riding. |
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| The dam and lake, which was a bit low. |
The photos above all all from around the Bal Samand Hotel in Jodphur, which has 300 acres of grounds! The 25-room hotel seems too small to support such extensive grounds, and when I asked the manager told me that it is popular for high profile weddings and parties, just a few of which generate enough income to make it profitable.
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| Our huge room in the Lallgarh Palace Hotel. |
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| Tigers on the walls (Lallgarh Palace) |
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| Dinner under the stars, with live music (Jaisalmer) |
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| The swimming pool - we didn't get to try this one (Jaisalmer). |
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| Relaxing after dinner up on the roof. |
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| The hotel is an oasis of green surrounded by dry stoney countryside (Pushkar). |
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| The pool was coolish but very refreshing in the afternoon heat (Pushkar). |
