One has to spend a good amount of money no doubt to spend some precious moments in the vicinity of them or perhaps even stay for a while in them, but it is worth the penny spent. The sophisticated ambience, the delicious cuisine and the luxury of elegant rooms can be quite an attraction to the tourist who wants to make the best of his holiday.

Let us have a cursory look at some of the royal retreats in India

• The Amber Palace was built by the Kachhwahas, which rose into prominence during the Mughal period. Man Singh built in the style of Mughal architecture representative of opulence and grandeur. Magnificent portals, elegant frescoes, grand ornamentation make this palace stand out in its beauty and architectural grandeur.
• Umed Bhawan Palace – Maharaja of Jodhpur, Umed Singh built this famous palace made of sandstone situated in Udaipur. It is now the finest and most popular luxury hotel. Tourists from all over the world visit this hotel to enjoy the royal grandeur.
• Jaisalmer Fort – This fort was built in the medieval times in the remote part of Rajasthan desert. It was a very prosperous town as it was situated in the caravan routes of Arabia, Egypt, India and Persia. Now many prosperous merchants and shop owners live there. Quite a few Havelis or mansions have been converted in to hotels or museums. These are exquisitely made of sandstone.
• Kesar Bhawan – This is the oldest palace in Mt. Abu which was built in 1868 A.D. The palace belongs to Maharaja Kumar Daivat Singh of Sirohi. Each room has a private balcony, providing the person residing in them with a beautiful, scenic display of the Aravalli Hills and valleys.
• Jaipur House – This retreat in Mt. Abu is a nice getaway from summer of the hills. The Britishers have much favored the construction of this palace. It is a historical landmark in Mt. Abu. It is now a heritage hotel with modern facilities.
• Mysore Palace – This palace, built in 897 A.D. is situated in Karnataka and is known for its architectural grandeur. It has floors made up of white marble and the ceilings are decorated with floral designs which are mute in color. None of the colors have a jarring effect. It is a tourist attraction.
• Rambagh Palace – The landscape that the palace is situated in is very beautiful and eye-catching. It is closed to the “Pink City” Jaipur. It is now converted into a fine palace. It is known for its architectural grandeur.
• Hawa Mahal – This is spectacular display of fanciful architecture. It was built in 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh. One can have a fantastic view of Jaipur city Hawa Mahal.
• Pushkar Palace – The Pushakar lake, which is surrounded by palaces, and one of the palace, “Kishangarh Kunj” was built by Maharaja of Jaisalmer and later presented to Maharaja of Kishangarh. This palace is being run as Hotel Puhskar Palace. The hotel caters to royal taste by providing royal facilities in Rajasthani style. It is a memorable stay for tourists.
• Karani Bhawan Palace – This palace is situated in Bikaner and was built by Dr. Karni Singh Ji of Bikaner. The palace has sprawling lawns, which is an ideal venue for holding wedding receptions. Marwari cusisne is served in the restuarant. The rooms are decorated with photographs of royal kings of Bikaner and Mewar.

Royal retreats in India are quite treat for any tourist. The richness of culture and sophisticated living styles of the past royal heritage are quite evident in these retreats. They are undoubtedly a tourist’s delight.