C - 20/B - 2 Bihari Marg, Opp. Lane of K.P. Automotives, Bani Park, Jaipur, India | (888) 635-3814
In Bani Park, a short drive from the Pink City and walking distance to shops and restaurants
Beautifully decorated rooms with lots of Rajasthani art and marble bathrooms; most with balconies
Gorgeous restaurant with Indian and international fare plus bar, rooftop seating, and room service
Buffet breakfast with Indian and international food is included in room rates
Courtyard pool with fountain features and lounge chairs
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Concierge services include same-day laundry and travel bookings
Some rooms are smallish
No spa or fitness center
Pool is a bit small
Umaid Mahal is a three-and-a-half-pearl boutique hotel in Bani Park, a residential neighborhood just west of Pink City. The 35 rooms here are all gorgeous, with beautifully painted ceilings and lovely amenities including flat-screen TVs and marble bathrooms, and many have private balconies. There's no gym or spa, though the hotel does offer a lovely courtyard pool that's good for cooling off (but a bit too small for lap swimming). Other facilities include an ornately decorated restaurant and bar with room service, a free buffet breakfast, and a lovely rooftop seating area. Travelers who'd prefer to forego all of the ornate decor in favor of something a bit more modern may want to consider the Radisson Jaipur City Center.
Scene
Ornately decorated interiors featuring Rajasthani touches, popular with tourists
A lot of attention has gone in to making the interiors of this boutique property look fabulous, though it is quite ornate, which might be a little jarring to some guests who prefer sleek, streamlined decor. The lobby features dark marble floors and intricately painted ceilings with typical Rajasthani floral and vine designs, while the reception desk is ensconced in a metal archway that gives it the appearance of a throne or royal archway. There's a sitting area with equally over-the-top silver-hued chairs with lion head armrests. A hodgepodge of statues, tables, and art pieces add even more busyness to the space. Hallways are a touch less ornate, but still feature lovely painted columns, ceilings, and archways. The restaurant is decorated with intricately painted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and stained-glass windows at one end, and there's a lovely rooftop area with a few shaded pavilions for those who want to dine outside. Most guests here are tourists and the hotel gets plenty of guests from both India and abroad.
Location
In Bani Park, a residential area with heritage hotels -- a short walk from restaurants and shops
Umaid Mahal is situated in Bani Park, a primarily residential area with lots of smaller heritage hotels and private residences, just west of the Pink City. It's a 15- to 20-minute walk to the Jaipur Railway Station, and the shops and restaurants on M.I. Road are just another five minutes away on foot. It's about a 10-minute drive to the historic Pink City, while getting to the main Gangori Bazar and its surrounding historic attractions, including the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal, and the Jantar Mantar takes about 15 minutes by car. It takes roughly 12 minutes to reach Albert Hall Museum and 15 minutes to get to the Birla Mandir, both of which are south of the Pink City. The airport is a half-hour drive away from the hotel, traffic permitting. Factor in about a half-hour by car for Amber and its major attractions, namely Amber Fort and the Anokhi Museum.
Rooms
Elegant rooms with gorgeous painted ceilings and marble bathrooms -- though they do run small
Umaid Mahal offers a selection of rooms ranging from Standards to Suites. Most feature balconies, and all have flat-screen TVs with cable, air-conditioning, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, safes, and Wi-Fi. Decor is consistent across categories, and guests can expect marble floors, beautifully painted ceilings with Rajasthani floral work and ceiling fans, traditional art on the walls, and plush beds with elegant embroidered cushions and Edwardian-style headboards or four-poster beds. Bathrooms are sleek, with gorgeous marble floors and ceilings and walk-in rainfall showers. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. Overall, the rooms here far exceed what one would expect from a property in this price range, though some guests may find them a tad cramped.
Features
Lovely restaurant with rooftop section and room service, courtyard pool, and free Wi-Fi
Umaid Mahal offers plenty of perks that are typical for Jaipur hotels. There is a lovely restaurant -- Taikhana -- with Rajasthani, Indian, and international cuisine as well as a separate bar area offering cocktails, beer, and wine. A buffet breakfast with typical Indian and international items is included in room rates. The restaurant also features a rooftop section with lovely shaded pavilions for those who want to dine alfresco. Room service is available. There's also a lovely, smallish courtyard pool with a few lounge chairs and fountain features, and while it's not ideal for getting a proper lap-swimming workout in, it's certainly good for cooling off on Jaipur's many hot days. Other features include airport and train station transfers, travel bookings, same-day laundry services, and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi.