Umaid Bhawan Palace, Circuit House Road, Umaid Bhawan hill
Umaid Bhawan Palace is a 5-star Taj heritage palace hotel on Chittar Hill in Jodhpur, occupying part of the 1943 royal residence with 64 rooms and suites, the Jiva Grande Spa, an on-site museum and 26 acres of gardens, about 5 km from Jodhpur Airport.
Live rates and availability confirmed at booking. All prices indicative — updated June 2026.
Umaid Bhawan Palace — quick facts
- Category: 5-Star hotel
- Price: Typically ₹45,000–1,50,000+/night
- Check-in / out: 14:00 / 12:00
- Rooms: 64
- Distance to JDH airport: 5 km (~15 min by car)
Overview & Setting
Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of India's last great palaces and among the largest private residences in the world. Built between 1928 and 1943 for Maharaja Umaid Singh, the 347-room sandstone palace on Chittar Hill is divided three ways: the royal family's residence, a museum, and the Taj-managed luxury hotel. The hotel occupies part of the palace with 64 rooms and suites set amid 26 acres of manicured gardens. Its Indo-Deco architecture — a vast central dome, sweeping wings and original Art Deco interiors — makes it one of the most distinctive heritage stays anywhere in the country.
This is a bucket-list, special-occasion property rather than a conventional city hotel. Guests come for the architecture, the grounds and the sense of staying inside a living palace.
Location & Getting There
The palace sits on Chittar Hill above the city, about 5 km from Jodhpur Airport (roughly 15 minutes) and a similar distance from Jodhpur Junction railway station. Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada are around 6 km away, and the Clock Tower and Sardar Market in the old blue city about 5 km. Despite its elevated, garden-set seclusion, the palace is therefore close to both the airport and the city's main sights — an unusual combination of grandeur and convenience.
Rooms & Suites
The 64 keys are graded from Palace Rooms (22) through Historical Suites (24) set in the original palace wings, Royal Suites (10) and Grand Royal Suites (6), up to the signature Maharani and Maharaja Suites. Interiors preserve the palace's Art Deco design — original furniture, gilded detailing, sweeping bathrooms — while adding modern comforts and, in the higher categories, butler service. Views take in the gardens, the city or Mehrangarh Fort in the distance.
Dining
Dining is appropriately grand. Risala is the fine-dining restaurant, while Pillars offers all-day dining on a verandah overlooking the gardens. The Trophy Bar is a heritage bar lined with royal memorabilia and hunting trophies, and The Gol Mahal serves drinks beneath the central dome. Menus span Rajasthani royal recipes, Indian classics and international cuisine, often using produce from the palace's own gardens.
Amenities, Spa & Pool
The palace's wellness centrepiece is the Jiva Grande Spa, set partly in the building's lower levels, alongside a distinctive subterranean Zodiac indoor swimming pool decorated with the signs of the zodiac, and a fitness centre. The 26 acres of gardens accommodate large lawns for weddings and events; the palace is among India's most sought-after venues for high-profile celebrations. Guests can also visit the on-site museum, view the maharaja's vintage car collection and take heritage walks through the palace.
Experiences & Things to Do Nearby
The palace itself is the headline experience, but the rest of Jodhpur is close. Mehrangarh Fort, rising over the blue city, is the essential excursion for its palace museum and ramparts, with Jaswant Thada just below. The Clock Tower and Sardar Market are the centre of old-city shopping and street food. The hotel arranges curated experiences — private fort visits, heritage walks, royal dining and excursions to the Bishnoi villages and the desert for wildlife and rural Rajasthan.
Who It's Best For
Umaid Bhawan Palace is a destination in its own right, best for special-occasion and bucket-list travellers, honeymooners, and anyone drawn to architecture and heritage. Its scale, gardens and prestige also make it one of India's premier venues for royal weddings and landmark celebrations. It sits at the very top of Jodhpur's hotel hierarchy, with pricing to match.
Umaid Bhawan Palace — room types
| Room | What you get |
| Palace Room | The entry category (22 rooms) with Art Deco interiors and garden or city views. |
| Historical Suite | One of 24 suites set in the palace's original wings, with period detailing. |
| Royal Suite | One of 10 grand suites with expansive living space and palace views. |
| Grand Royal Suite | One of six top-tier suites with lavish layouts and premium amenities. |
| Maharaja / Maharani Suite | The palace's signature signature suites with butler service and dramatic interiors. |
Dining at Umaid Bhawan Palace
| Outlet | Cuisine / type |
| Risala | Fine-dining restaurant |
| Pillars | All-day verandah dining overlooking the gardens |
| Trophy Bar | Heritage bar with royal memorabilia |
| The Gol Mahal | Bar and lounge under the central dome |
What's near Umaid Bhawan Palace
| Landmark | Distance | Approx. on foot |
| Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum (on site) | — | — |
| Mehrangarh Fort | 6 km | short taxi/auto |
| Jaswant Thada | 6 km | short taxi/auto |
| Clock Tower & Sardar Market | 5 km | short taxi/auto |
| Jodhpur Junction railway station | 5 km | short taxi/auto |
| Mandore Gardens | 13 km | short taxi/auto |
Distances are straight-line estimates; walking times assume roughly 12 minutes per km. Confirm routes locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Umaid Bhawan Palace a real palace?
Yes. It is a genuine royal palace built between 1928 and 1943; part is the Jodhpur royal family's residence, part a museum, and part the Taj-managed hotel.
How many rooms does the hotel have?
The Taj hotel occupies 64 rooms and suites within the 347-room palace, ranging from Palace Rooms up to the Maharaja and Maharani Suites.
How far is Umaid Bhawan Palace from the airport?
Jodhpur Airport (JDH) is about 5 km away, roughly a 15-minute drive.
Does Umaid Bhawan Palace have a pool and spa?
Yes. There is the Jiva Grande Spa and a distinctive subterranean Zodiac indoor swimming pool, plus a fitness centre.
Can non-guests visit Umaid Bhawan Palace?
Non-guests can visit the on-site palace museum, but the hotel grounds and interiors are reserved for resident guests.
Is Umaid Bhawan Palace good for weddings?
Yes. Its 26 acres of gardens and palace setting make it one of India's most prestigious venues for royal weddings and landmark celebrations.