10 most beautiful places in Gujurat, India
by Joanne Lane Gujurat tourism received a boost a few years ago when the Maharaja`s and families of the princely states in the region opened their homes to tourism to help in the maintenance of their properties. It was seen as beneficial all round as tourists could experience a brush with royalty, Gujurat would not lose much of its rich history associated with these buildings and the royal families themselves could afford to do much needed repairs on the old palaces and homes. For a full list of the Heritage Hotels around India see www.heritagehotelsofindia.com All these places listed below were selected in the first edition of the English guide, www.specialplacestostay.com. Please note the writer was a guest of all the places listed below while researching for the first edition of this book. The second edition is due out this year. 1. Balaram Palace
Easily the jewel in the heritage hotels crown of Gujurat, this neo-classical treasure is also the best preserved. It was the forest palace of a former Maharaja but has only recently been restored to its majestic past. Inside are marble staircases and galleries. Outside you can enjoy the lawns, flowerbeds, terraces with their panoramic views, daily sunset camel rides and the Nawabi style swimming pool. The staff can also organise tours to the local villages. Balaram Palace
Chitrasani Village off Abu Palanpur Highway No 14. Banaskantha
Gujurat
tel. +91 2742 284 278
fax. +91 2742 284 278
rooms: 17 - 16 doubles, 1 suite
prices: full board only, Rs 2,100, Suites Rs 5,600 2. Old Bell Guesthouse
This colonial villa oozes British Raj India. There`s a curving drive to pull into the property, overhanging creepers, large grounds and big staircases. It dates from the 1890s when it first hosted special guests of the state of Sayla. The family still owns the property. Regular cultural shows of dancing and music are common in the evenings. The Latura-Katura wildlife sanctuary is just 45km away. Old Bell Guesthouse
Sayla Circle
Ahmedabad Rajkot Highway
PO Sayla, District Surendranagar
tel. +91 2755 280 017
fax. +91 2755 280 357
rooms: 10 doubles
price: full board Rs 1,500 3. Desert Courses
Dhanraj Malik is the friendly host at his family property on the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch. He has entertained all sorts of people at this rustic retreat including National Geographic teams, researchers, photographers and everyday travellers. Stays include tours of the Rann where there are salt lakes, nomadic tribes, flamingos and the famed wild ass to see. The huts you stay in have modern comforts but are built in local style with inlaid mirror work and mud walls. Very authentic. Desert Courses
Zainabad, Via. Patdi
382 765 District Surendranagar
tel. +91 2757 241 333
fax. +91 2757 241 334
rooms: 22 doulbes, some a/c
prices: full board Rs 4,000 4. Nilambag Palace
You won`t appreciate the grandness of this place until you`ve been here. The scale is amazing, just picture 20 people having to lift a rug. It`s real old school royalty here with tigers and panthers from hunting trips on the wall, split level rooms so the Maharaja slept at a higher level to everyone else and amazing chandeliers and mirrors from Europe. All rooms are furnished lavishly with period furniture. There are plenty of outside areas too with outdoor dining, lawns, groves and gardens. There`s also a Roman style swimmng pool with marble steps and white colonnades. Nilambag Palace
364 002 Bhavnagar
tel. +91 278 2424 241
fax. +91 278 2428 072
rooms: 20 doubles
prices: Rs 2,000-3,000 5. Garden Palace
The food at Balasinor is legendary and the family needs little excuse to cook up a treat for their guests. Cuisine is usually home-cooked Mughlai and Afghani food. They are usually happy to sit down at the table with you too. This garden mansion has a more familial feel. It is set in multi-acre orchards. There is also plenty of opportunities for excursions in the area too. Ask the family for advice on visiting hot springs, picnic spots and archaeological sites. Garden Palace
Kheda
388 255 Balasinor
tel. +91 2960 266 786
fax. +91 2960 267 786
rooms: 8 doubles, some a/c
prices: Rs 2,200 6. Palace Utelia
This is a turn of the century haveli or mansion with high walls, domes, pillars, arches and facades. Rooms have period pieces with inlaid mirrors, private balconies and views of the passing River Bhugavo. The owners are descendants of the original royal family and have their own stable of horses and bullock carts for riders in the village or surrounding countryside. The famed Velavadar National Park is close by for excursions to see wildlife. The Nalsarovar bird sanctuary is another popular excursion. Palace Utelia
Via Lothal-Burkhi
382 230 Utelia
District Ahmedabad
tel. +91 2714 262 222 or mobile + 91 79 6445 770
rooms: 20 doubles
prices: Rs 1,990 7. Royal Oasis / Royal Residencey
This is actually two complexes, the major one being the Royal Residency where the King, his son the Prince and the Princes` wife live in three separate buildings. Guests may dine with the royal family and enjoy their private museum, the collection of special horses and swords. The Royal Oasis was the families summer retreat and now an art deco newly renovated luxurious location with an original step well and beautiful indoor pool. The Palace
363 621 Wankaner
tel. +91 2828 220 000
fax. +91 2828 220 002, + 91 2828 220 001
Residency rooms: 26 rooms - 23 doubles, 1 single, 2 suites, some a/c
Residency prices: full board Rs 3,700.
Oasis rooms: 14 rooms - 8 doubles in main house, 6 doubles in annexe
Oasis prices: full board Rs 2,100 8. Orchard Palace
The Orchard Palace is maintained by the family of royal family of Gondal, descendants of the Jadeja family who ruled the state. It was erected by one of the last official Maharajas of Gondal State. The large rooms feature antique furniture and a sense of an era goneby. Ask to see the room of miniatures with its collection of paintings, bras and antique furniture. The grounds are large with fruit orchards, gardens and lawns. Gondal is an hour from Rajkot by road and known for its handicraft and textile industry. The staff can organise tours of the town including the splendid Naulakha Palace, a 17th century Naulakha palace. Orchard Palace
Palace Road
360 311 Gondal
tel. +91 2825 220 002
fax. +91 79 26300 962
rooms: 19 doubles, some a/c
prices: full board Rs 4,400 9. House of Mangaldas Girdhardas
This is the only "boutique" hotel of its kind in Ahmedabad. Mr Mangaldas Girdhardas, after whom the house is named, was a successful busness man. He built this grand house for his family but died shortly after its completion in 1928. It has been refurbished recently to retain its old world charm but is also very modern. The terrace eatery Agashiye is also considered a fine dining place in its own right. House of MG
Metro Heritage Hotel
Opposite Siddi Saiyad Mosque
Lal Darwaja
380 001 Ahmedabad
tel. +91 79 2550 6899
fax. +91 79 2550 6535
rooms: 10 doubles
prices: Rs 3,000-6,000 10. Bhavani Villa
This old colonial villa sits high above the town at Danta with a good view of the surrounding countryside. Meals are home cooked and often taken with the Maharana and his wife. The house is not the original palace of the family but the rooms use period furniture and contain a lot of colonial charm in the main house. The 108 acre propoerty also has a stud farm of Marwarl hourses. There is also a nearby sanctuary with panther, blue bull antelope and birds. Horseback riding, horse safaris and jeep safaris are available. Bhavani Villa, Danta
Bhavnagadh
385 120 District Banaskantha
tel. +91 2749 278 705
fax. +91 2749 278 759
rooms: 5 - 3 doubles, 2 suites
price: Rs 1,200-1,400, suites Rs 1,800 |
