Jai Mahal Palace

Jai Mahal is housed in a sprawling palace that dates back to 1745. The hotel is set on around 18 acres of beautiful gardens filled with lots of large grassy spaces, courtyards with pavilions and fountain centerpieces, and mature trees. The palace structure is quintessentially Rajasthani, with numerous archways and domed pavilions, or "chhatris," and beautifully restored cream-colored exteriors flanked with white and rust-red trim. The interiors are bright and sunny, with pale-yellow walls and polished marble floors. The cozy lobby features velvet sofas and chairs, plus large arched windows that let in lots of natural light. The hotel attracts tourists from both India and abroad and is a popular wedding and event venue, particularly in the cooler winter months. 

The Taj Jai Mahal Palace is located in Jaipur's Civil Lines neighborhood. It's about a 13-minute walk or six-minute drive southwest to the Jaipur Railway Station, and is close enough to walk to the the numerous shops and restaurants on M.I. Road. It's about a seven-minute drive to the historic Pink City. Getting to the main Gangori Bazaar and its surrounding historic attractions, including the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal, and the Jantar Mantar takes about 15 minutes by car. Plan on about 10 minutes to reach both the Albert Hall Museum and the Birla Mandir, both of which are south of the Pink City. Factor in about a half-hour by car for Amber and its famous namesake fort. The airport is a 25-minute drive away from the hotel, traffic permitting. 

The Jai Mahal offers nine types of lodging options, ranging from 301-square-foot (28-square-meter) Deluxe Rooms up to a luxurious, 1116-square-foot (104-square-meter) Peacock Suite. Because the Jai Mahal is a converted palace, there's a fair bit of variation across units, though room decor is relatively consistent, with marble (or, in some cases, hardwood) floors, four-poster beds (in some rooms), classic furniture with regal floral upholstery, and Rajasthani artwork on the walls (including miniature paintings in some rooms). However, the classic furnishings might not suit all tastes, and some past guests have complained that rooms are tired and could use a refresh. 

Many units feature traditional Rajasthani archways between rooms and sitting areas and some have grassy lawn areas with tables and chairs. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, safes, minibars, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms vary a bit depending on room category, but generally feature lots of marble and have shower/tub combos; some bathrooms add second walk-in rainfall showers. All are equipped with hairdryers, robes, and slippers, and toiletries from Ayurvedic Forest Essentials toiletries are provided. 

This palace hotel offers plenty of on-site amenities, including a lovely branch of the Taj Group's signature Jiva Spa, which offers all sorts of massages and Ayurvedic treatments in a series of private tent-style treatment rooms. There's also a lovely outdoor pool surrounded by grassy lawns with a few lounge chairs. While the hotel caters largely to tourists, there is an indoor ballroom, the Durbar Hall, for meetings and weddings, along with two boardrooms and a selection of outdoor lawns and other spaces for large events. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and there's a fair amount of free on-site parking.

Dining options abound. Along with 24-hour room service, the hotel offers all sorts of romantic private dining options. Restaurants include the poolside Oasis, which is more of a snack bar; the fancier poolside Giadarno, which serves Italian fare at dinnertime; the multi-cuisine Marble Arch (with a great weekend buffet); and the more formal Cinnamon, which serves Indian food at lunch and dinner. There's also a small bar, Marigold, as well as a bakery and pastry shop, La Patisserie.