Hospitality Design - September 2010 - 65

trends: indian palaces

perspectives
By Nora Zelevansky

ﬁt for a king
The term maharaja evokes images of proud men with jewelencrusted swords in pink turbans and brilliantly colored, goldembroidered silks, viewing an elephant polo match perhaps, on their own palace grounds, amidst permeating scents of curry and clove. A maharaja (or female maharani) is technically a “king,” but, throughout history, each of about 600 Indian princely provinces has claimed a separate one. The myriad rulers may seem to dilute the notion of royal grandeur, but nowhere in the world are residences— once inhabited by these lords and ladies—more ornate, humbling, and extravagant. “The palaces may have Mughal, Rajput, or even European inﬂuences,” explains Hem Singh of Micato India, an ultra elite tour company that garners special access to palaces and even employs some guides who are royal descendants. “The interiors are extravagantly colorful with mythological stories and hunting scenes painted on the walls and ornate gold embellishments.” In fact, there is such an abundance of awe-inspiring royal residences across India that—starting in the 1960s—many were converted into lavish hotels where guests are now welcomed with trumpets. At the newest incarnations of such destinations—including Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, which was recently unveiled post2008 terrorist attack—design must seamlessly intermingle the most modern amenities and technology with reverence to preservation and ancient history. And for those new-build hotels trying to compete, they must be built to palace standards, or better. respectively. So, by comparison, 18th century Nadesar Palace is practically new. Still, historic guests—ranging from George V, Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth II to Indira Gandhi and H.H. the Dalai Lama—inspired names for the 10 luxurious suites. Though installing modern amenities like A/C was tricky, New Delhi’s Pradeep Sachdeva Design not only preserved beautiful plaster moldings and replanted mango orchards and ﬁelds, establishing a new chef ’s garden, but they also refurbished original pieces like clawfoot tubs—for rose petal baths—and a 135-year-old horse drawn buggy. (A descendent of the original carriage driver is still employed.) Color schemes mirror the yellow marigold, white jasmine, and pink lotus prevalent by the Ganges, and brocade textiles nod to a local tradition.

Royal Treatment
A short plane ride, but seemingly a world away, Rajasthan’s resort destination, Udaipur, is known for its amazing hotels. Take Taj’s residence-turned-hotel Lake Palace—partially submerged in varying levels of water, depending on proximity to and severity of monsoon season. Poetically, as the lake evaporates in drier months, the newly re-revealed lower levels are painted white again each day. Nearby Devi Garh resort is more sleekly modern, but still housed in a former Fort Palace, originally completed

At Home
Blending a new luxury hotel with the 3,000-year-old city Varanasi is no easy feat. The ancient Hindu and Buddhist spiritual hub is a destination for last rites ceremonies, as the near and far shores of the river Ganges represent the material and spiritual worlds

Above: A bedroom at the Nadesar Palace. Right, from top: The minimalist bathroom in the Aravali Suite at the Devi Garh Fort Palace; private dining in the Sheesh Mahal at the Devi Garh, with faded frescoes, mirror work, and broken Chinese ceramic decoration.

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September 2010

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