SHIV NIWAS PALACE HOTEL, UDAIPUR
When India gained its Independence in 1947, the British -Raj Rule came to an End. Although the Maharanas, Maharajas, Rajas & Thakurs gave up their lands & rights to be a part of democratic India, they retained some privileges , such as Privy Purses and exemptions from Wealth Taxes that allowed them to maintain their elegant way of living. All that changed in 1973, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi withdrew these and other grants, effectively consigning the fabled wealth of the Maharanas & Maharajahs to History.
For upkeep their palaces were converted into startlingly luxurious Hotels. The Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel is among these the most glamorous. Shiv Niwas Palace is a crescent shaped building which sits at the southern end of the huge City Palace Complex with mesmerising view of Lake Pichola and the romantic City Udaipur spread beneath it. This part of the Palace was constructed at the beginning of the twentieth Century and was originally Maharana Fateh Singhji's Residence cum Guest House which has played a host to important Guests like the King and Queen of England, the Shah of Iran, the King of Nepal and Jaqueline Keneddy-Onasis. Now this Royal House opens its door to welcome you for memorable, unforgettable experience with ambience that takes you back in time to the era of Maharanas & their regal life style.
A marble elephant fountain and European style lamp-posts greet guests at the Palace's entrance and a live Band plays Bagpipes and Drums to welcome visitors to the palace. In the Centre is a massive open bougainvillea-shaded Courtyard with an oval swimming pool floored with marble and blue tiles giving the water an irridescent Effect. The Pool is fed by an Italian style marble Fountain.
The Palace Hotel offers accommodation in standard double rooms, luxury & historic suites. The rooms & suites spread like a crescent around the courtyard are classical . The Interiors of the Rooms are appointed with the Maharana's treasured Antiques, mosaics of birds and floral patterns, paintings, sofas upholstered in reds and blues, crystal chandeliers and inlaid doors. It is indeed fit for royalty.
The Royal Suite, for example, has a huge private lobby, a study, a changing room, marble bathroom, a gigantic bedroom with sitting room, baggage room and a private terrace. The Imperial Suite is decorated in plush Rajasthani decor mixed with genuine european antiques, and the Crystal Room has walls covered from floor to towering ceiling with glass in-lay, which reflect velvet-seated Belgian cut-glass Furniture.
There is a well-appointed bar and seating around the swimming pool for relaxing or enjoying a snack from our pool-deck menu. A special moment that enthralls is a meal in the courtyard by the pool. The combination of stars, moonlight, background music and shimmering blue waters in this majestic courtyard makes a very romantic venue. Stay here is going to be a truly enchanting memorable experience.