Rambagh Palace, Jaipur.

In Jaipur, I stayed at the Rambagh Palace – that exquisite fairytale palace of a Grand Hotel, nestled in its own extensive grounds to the south of Albert Hall Museum.

Built in 1835, the palace was once the home of the Maharani of Jaipur’s favourite handmaiden. In 1887, during the time of the Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh, it was converted into the royal guesthouse and hunting lodge.

In 1931, following a major expansion undertaken by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob, it became the principal residence of the Maharajah Sawai Man Singh II and his legendary queen, the Maharani Gayatri Devi. It would remain the residence of Jaipur royalty till 1957.

The palace was designed in an eclectic Rajput style, with marble jalis and Mughal gardens, Rajput arches and cupolas, chhatris and colonnaded arcades. Needless to say it has paid host to royalty, celebrities and heads of state in its time.

The palace is today managed by the Taj Group and is simply divine. The perfect place to unwind in, after a whole day out in the sweltering heat, photographing the city.

The Main Lobby of the Rambagh Palace. Note the scalloped arches that are typical of Rajput architecture.

The lawns of the palace. In the background is the Moti Dungri Fort and Hindu Temple.

Courtyard in the palace complex.

The arches along this colonnade are in the Mughal style.

A portrait of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II.

Bedroom…

Breakfast is taken at the Rajput Room.

Peacocks on the grounds.

The Swimming Pool…

The Chinese Rooms…

The Polo Bar.

View towards Verandah Cafe, where I spent a few evenings relaxing and swilling a glass of red wine.

Suvarna Mahal, the palace ballroom, built in an exuberant 18th century French style, complete with chandeliers.

Dinner at the Suvarna Mahal – a Royal Rajasthani thali.

Down the corridors to my room.

Portraits of former Maharajas line the corridors.

Side view of the Palace, with chhatris and cupolas.

Close-up of the Verandah Cafe, with its scalloped arches.

Goodbye Rambagh Palace! And goodbye Jaipur!