Heritage Hotels of Jaipur - The Pink City

Jaipur or the Pink City is one of the most soughtthe most significant traits of the Rajasthani culture.
after tourist destination in the country. It is rich inOne is awe-struck by the welcome and warmth
culture and heritage which is resplendently showcasedshown to the guests. There is a very beautiful
all over the city.welcome song in Rajasthani which says "Padharo
The city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai JaiMhare Des" which literally means Welcome to my
Singh II, a Kachhwaha Rajput who reigned fromLand.
1699-1744. The original capital was at Amber, whereRajasthan is the land of the Royal Rajputs and Jaipur
a fort still stands, which is 11 kilometers from Jaipur.is the manifestation of that grandeur. The city is
But due to the increasing population and the growingdotted with many palaces and havelis which belong
scarcity of water, the King thought it best to shiftto the royal family as well as big businessmen of that
base elsewhere.time. All these places are fine examples of
Sawai Jai Singh consulted several books and scholarsarchitecture and depict the contemporary art. Many
before finalizing upon the location of the new fortof these homes have now been converted into
city. Security was a major issue in the mind of theHeritage Hotels, thus welcoming the visitors to a
ruler as he had many a skirmishes with the Marathas.tradition steeped in warmth and affinity.
Keeping this in mind, he wanted the new city to beThe uniqueness of these Heritage Hotels lies in the
completely safe. And as he himself was interested inpersonalized service and individual attention which is
science and mathematics, he planned the citymeted out to the guests here. The visitors are able
accordingly.to have a glimpse of the way of the life which the
Maharaja Jai Singh sought advice from Vidyadharpeople of yore lived. They are also served the same
Bhattacharya, a Brahmin scholar and architect fromfood which is being prepared for so many
Bengal for designing the layout of the city. Thegenerations now. One can really have a life-enriching
scholar referred to the ancient Indian literature onexperience in the Heritage Hotels.
architecture and astronomy and discussed the finalSome of the most beautiful ancestral homes have
plan with the King.been converted into hotels, each reflecting its own
It took four years to construct the city of Jaipurhistory, tradition and culture. The traditional ambience
which was divided into nine blocks out of which twoof these hotels is perfectly depicted through the
were used as to build state buildings and palaces andfamily memorabilia and the photographs showcased
the remaining seven for public use. As security was ahere. Some of the hotels have people who have
major concern, the city was bordered by huge wallsbeen employed in the service of the owners for
and had seven strong gates which were opened andgenerations.
closed at dawn & dusk.Staying in sync with the modern times and the
Over the years, the city has grown big and is nochoices of the international traveler, these heritage
longer confined inside the fort boundary. Afterhotels have been modernized and fitted with the
independence, Jaipur was made the capital of thelatest state-of-the-art amenities and multi-cuisine
state of Rajasthan and it has developed by leaps andrestaurant and swimming pool.
bound.Some of the prominent Heritage Hotels in the city
There are a number of palaces and haveliscould be cited as Khasa Kothi, Amode Palace Hotel,
(bungalows) in the city which reflect the rich culturalNarain Niwas Palace, Khandwa Haveli Heritage and Raj
traditions of the Rajputs which are still beingMahal Palace Hotel.
preserved in the same manner. Hospitality is one of