Takes over the management of Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur
Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, India’s premier hospitality group, has extended its presence in Rajasthan by entering into a Management Contract for the magnificent Royal Residence - Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur. With a legacy and experience dating back to the launch of its landmark hotel in 1903, Taj Hotels are the perfect choice to carry on the royal tradition of many magnificent palaces across India. Perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace, the last of India’s great palaces, was also one of the largest royal residences in the world when it opened its gilded doors in 1943. A spectacular synthesis of western technology and more than one Indian architectural style, Umaid Bhawan Palace is a magnificent edifice built entirely in golden yellow sandstone. The present Maharaja of Jodhpur, His Highness Maharaja Gajsingh and the Royal Family continue to reside in what was formerly the Zenana, a private wing for the ladies of the royal household.
Commenting on this royal addition to the Taj portfolio, Mr. Raymond Bickson, Managing Director, The Indian Hotels Company Limited,said, “North India is a key tourist destination and the Taj continues to consolidate its presence in this region. One of the key differentiators has been our authentic palace experience offering, especially in Rajasthan. Umaid Bhawan Palace expands this unique luxury experience into the city of Jodhpur. Indeed, with this new partnership Umaid Bhawan Palace will enhance Taj Hotels’ current offering in the grand palaces circuit of Rajasthan, which include the breathtaking Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur and the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur.”
Speaking on the occasion Yuvraj of Jodhpur, Shivraj Singh said, “We are pleased to partner with the Indian Hotels Company Limited for the Umaid Bhawan Palace. The association of Umaid Bhawan Palace with Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces augments the Grand Palace circuit in Rajasthan. I remain committed towards promoting Jodhpur as a unique destination and am confident that this partnership with the Taj will enhance my efforts in marketing the vibrant culture of this wonderful city.”
Designed by the well-known Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester, and completed in 1943 after almost fifteen years of construction, Maharaja Umaid Singh’s Umaid Bhawan Palace is a monumental structure. The sumptuous interiors were done in Art Deco that was then the rage in Europe and America, and were superbly complemented by the exotic murals of the Polish artist, Julius Stefan Norblin. Sixty years on, with the public areas and the Regal and Vice-Regal Suites essentially untouched, the palace is today perhaps one of the largest and best-preserved show-case of the Art Deco style.
Set amidst twenty-six acres of land, of which fifteen are gardens, Umaid Bhawan Palace was converted into a hotel in 1977, with luxurious suites and hotel rooms, retaining the original Art Deco interiors. The spectacular Central Rotunda, whose cupola rises to a hundred and five feet; an oval staircase hall, flanked by the impressive Ballroom and Banquet Hall on either side, the Throne Room with its exquisite Ramayana murals and garages stabling a collection of vintage cars, reaffirm the grandeur of this remarkable palace
This splendid palace has a private museum, its own post office and an elegant wood-paneled library. The palace also offers recreational facilities such as an indoor swimming pool, a billiards room, four tennis courts, two unique marble-floored squash courts and fifteen acres of gardens.
Currently, Taj Hotels will operate the Umaid Bhawan Palace with 30 rooms and 15 suites. In future, the palace will feature 70 rooms and suites and a Taj spa.
About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces
Established in 1903, Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces is one of South Asia’s largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 57 hotels in 38 locations across India with an additional 13 international hotels in the Maldives, Mauritius, UK, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Rajput palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. The Taj, a symbol of Indian hospitality, has recently completed the centenary of its flagship hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India’s premier business house.
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