The Pink City of Jaipur, with its stunning Amber Fort, has a myriad of luxury options to stay in so picking the best hotel in Jaipur is a difficult task.
There are ancient forts turned into luxury accommodations, exclusive retreats in the countryside and fantastic heritage luxury palaces and havelis to feel like a character in One Thousand and One Nights or in a glistening Bollywood movie with glamorous backdrops.
These are my picks of the best luxury hotels, palaces, forts and resorts in Jaipur and surroundings. I promise they will not disappoint, from the Maharaja palaces to the grand developments and even a safari tented camp. Let’s get down to my list of the best hotels in Jaipur.
But first, here is a list of all the hotels for easy access. Read on for further details.
| Name | Best for | Starting price | Book here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amanbagh | Invisible service | $600 | HotelsCombined | their website |
| Fairmont Jaipur | 21st century comforts in 19th century architecture | $120 | Booking.com | Agoda |
| Devi Ratn Resort Jaipur | A modern stay inspired by Jaipur’s gem-craft | $110 | Agoda |
| Rambagh Palace | To live like Royalty | $400 | Booking.com | Agoda |
| Samode Palace | An intimate royal retreat | $180 | Booking.com | Agoda |
| The Farm | For a fun experience | $150 | Booking.com | Agoda |
| Oberoi Rajvilas | The most romantic hotel in Jaipur | $450 | Booking.com | Agoda |
| Tree of Life Resort & Spa | To escape from it all | $125 | Booking.com | Agoda |
| Dera Amer Wilderness Camp | Best hotel for safari lovers | $390 | Booking.com | Agoda |
| Sujan Rajmahal Palace | Downtown opulence with a dose of English countryside | $360 | Booking.com | Agoda |
| Taj Jai Mahal Palace | Perfectly manicured gardens | $310 | Booking.com | Agoda |
| ITC Rajputana | A traditional haveli stay | $230 | Booking.com | Agoda |
| Alila Bishangarh Fort | A stay in a fully restored warrior fort | $415 | Booking.com | Agoda |
Amanbagh – Best hotel in Jaipur for invisible service
As a fan of Aman Resorts, Amanbagh is one of my favorite properties in the area. The former residence of an emperor, the pink and emerald palace is made of reflective pools, pink bougainvillea, manicured gardens and soft pink rock. Each haveli room is a retreat on its own.
Stay in one of their pool havelis for an extra dose of tranquility and luxury. Relax by the pool while the live flute resonates through the space and the birds serenade the afternoon. Amanbagh is not only a place to get away from it all, but also an opportunity to get in touch with rural India by the hands of their local guides who will take you on village walks, temple visits and, of course, day trips to the Pink City of Jaipur.
There is so much to do in the area that you could easily fill a week. For extra romance that will make anyone fall in love again, book a chhatri dinner in one of the small pavilion cenotaphs that dot the countryside and enjoy a meal as the sun sets behind the farmland and hills as rural Indian life retires to the homes. You can read our full review of Amanbagh, one of the most luxurious hotels in Jaipur.
For a splurge: The pool pavilions are definitely the star of the show. With their own private pools and seclusion they feel like your own Rajasthani royal retreat.
Where: In the countryside, about 2h drive from Jaipur.
How much: Rates start at US$600. Book your stay on their website
Fairmont Jaipur – Best hotel in Jaipur for 21st century comforts in 19th century architecture
A modern take on Mughal dynasty and Royal Rajputs architecture and luxury, the Fairmont Jaipur is set about half an hour from the city in expansive grounds designed to look like a Rajasthani Palace, although the building is new and was the chain’s first property in India.
There are lavish gardens, large venues and functions for massive Indian weddings, fountains and plenty of pavilions that are so typical of Rajasthani regal buildings. Service levels fashioned after Fairmont’s signature, modern rooms styled to look like the mansions of the Mughal royalty and lots of pink, desert-orange and gold.
This luxury hotel in Jaipur promises 21st century comfort in 19th century fashion.
For a splurge: Fairmont’s Gold premium level rooms afford complimentary snacks and drinks and a dedicated section. However, it is the Fairmont Suites that have a terrace for extra amazingness.
Where: About half an hour’s drive to the city center, not walking distance from anything, the hotel is set outside in the Aravalli hills area.
How much: Rates starting at US$120. Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Devi Ratn Resort Jaipur – Best hotel in Jaipur for a modern stay
Former Lebua Jaipur is now part of the Seleqtions portfolio of The Indian Hotels Company (which also owns some of the Taj Hotel properties) and has been renamed Devi Ratn.
The hotel was owned by an investment company funded by the Rothschild family and the founder of Getty Images called Xander, who also owned what is today RAAS Devigarh in Udaipur and managed by Lebua. The firm sold the property in 2015 and the Lebua resort was subsequently acquired by TIHC.
Devi Ratn is a modern hotel said to have been inspired by Jaipur’s gem-craft and the “Nav Ratn” or “nine pure gemstones that focus the cosmic energy of an associated celestial body, ruled by a deity”.
Expect vibrant colors, as opposed to the nude and tames hues of the other best hotels in Jaipur, which mirror the desert landscapes. This is a bright red hotel contrasting old with new, traditional with modern.
The hotel is small, with only 60 suites, but occupies a large space with plenty of green grass and blue skies. As the resort was conceived as a spa destination, you can avail of the treatments in the Spa by l’Occitane.
For a splurge: For an extra splurge stay at one of the 3 villas.
Where: About 10km away from Jaipur city center.
How much: Rates starting at US$110. Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Rambagh Palace – Best hotel in Jaipur to live like Royalty
This is exquisite hotel where Rajasthani architecture meets heritage grounds has witnessed historical events and a fine example of Indian heritage.
Rambagh is part of the Taj Hotel Group and is hosted in what used to be the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. You can expect no less but the most royal of settings, a real one at that.
This is the closest you will ever feel to understanding how the Maharajas and their families used to live. John Lennon stayed here many a time when he was looking to find his spirituality. You can even sleep in the rooms where Maharaja Singh, the original owner of the residence, and his son, used to lie down to rest. It definitely is one of the best hotels in Jaipur and one which holds a lot of history.
Rambagh Palace conserves all the beauty of a time long gone as well as the remnants of its illustrious owner’s passion for polo, beautiful lawns and pretty fountains, which are a refreshing sight in dry and barren Rajasthani weather. After all, royalty owned and lived in this palace until 1957. The massive rooms are palaces in themselves with more than spacious living and sleeping arrangements and marble bathrooms.
Even if you are not staying here, make sure to visit for a meal at the royal restaurant Suvarna Mahal where you can enjoy a Rajasthani royal thali in an atmosphere that can’t feel any more palatial with golden glasses and Versace plates (expect to pay 7,000 rupee per person).
For a splurge: There are several suites that are so regal they might even overwhelm you. At the top, the Royal Suite with its draping four poster beds and golden decor.
Where: Located about 30min drive from the city center in Jaipur’s usual traffic (even at night, it’s still 20min drive)
How much: Rates starting at US$400. Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Samode Palace – Best hotel in Jaipur for an intimate royal retreat
A 300-year old royal residence that comes in a smaller size than the rest but similar authentic regal credentials and a location, sandwiched among mountains, that will leave you speechless but is only an hour away from the airport. Samode Palace is still run by the original hereditary owners of the structure and has been the background of Bollywood movies. You will see why as soon as you take a glimpse of it stunning facade that reminds of Hawa Mahal.
The hotel has two swimming pools, one on the rooftop reserved for couples and a family one with a kids area. Inside, the level of intricacy of the wall wooden carvings and the colored inlays and Belgium mirror decorations are the subject of princesses and fairy tales (and will remind you of Jaipur’s Amber Fort).
Rooms come with four post beds, arched windows, intricate designs and mahogany furniture. This is a quaint and fabulous Jaipur luxury hotel that is more intimate and personal. The restaurant here is renowned and worth a try even if you’re not staying at the hotel.
For a splurge: One of the four Royal suites of course.
Where: Outside Jaipur, about an hour’s drive in a village of the same name, in rural Rajasthan.
How much: Rates starting at US$180. Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
The Farm – Best Jaipur hotel for a fun experience
This is a creative project by a couple who wanted to surprise and innovate and they sure have managed to. This hotel homestay in Jaipur is made of recycled materials and all the rooms are separate and detached. The food is organic and grown on the property and meals need to be booked by appointment only. Art, games and a playful atmosphere permeates.
The rooms are white washed and funky, filled with artefacts and decoration that invite to create and be creative. There is a pool table by the pool, draped cabanas and colorful rooms with interesting and unique furniture pieces like a motorbike that has been repurposed as a glass tables.
For a splurge: All rooms are the same.
Where: About half an hour to an hour’s drive from Jaipur’s city center in the countryside.
How much: Rates starting at US$150. Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Oberoi Rajvilas – Most romantic hotel in Jaipur
The Oberoi Rajvilas is a very special luxury hotel in Jaipur. It was built around an 18th century temple to Shiva, so spiritual and mystical experiences abound. You can chant with a priest, take part in a yoga or meditation class or simply enjoy the manicured gardens and fountains or their well appointed spa.
This is a very large property that will make you feel miles away from civilisation yet it is probably one of the closest to the Pink City of the hotels outside of it.
Although the hotel is modern, it was designed using traditional techniques. Except for the spa which is housed in an 18th century mansion.
The common areas and gardens are huge and adorned with the usual fountains, pavilions and symmetrical tiles and fringed by pink stone buildings so famous of the city. Marble is used generously and the rooms feature romantic four poster beds with draped and sunken baths. There are also tented style rooms for those in search of a safari-esque experience.
Oberoi offers a long list of activities for the whole family so you will not run out of things to do even after exploring Jaipur. You should also visit Naila Fort.
For a splurge: For extra splurge, stay at the Kohinoor Mansion, spread over more than 1,000 sq meters and named after the most famed and large diamond from Lahore, it comes with its own pool. Although I prefer the Royal Tent because I love safaris.
Where: About half an hour from the city center.
How much: Rates starting at US$450. Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Tree of Life Resort & Spa – Best Jaipur hotel to escape from it all
This is a countryside meets pops of color space within the confines of a locally built resort following Rajasthani design. Yet it has plenty of bright color splashed on cushions, drapes, fabrics, bed spreads and rooftops. The room’s decor and artifacts are all for sale so you can replicate the room back home. As the name indicates, they specialise in Ayurveda and their day spa is a great motivation to say in. Most of the produce used in the kitchen in grown locally.
This Jaipur resort is located in rural India about 40 min from Jaipur but only 20 min from Amber Fort so you can easily explore the nature of the Aravalli Hills or pop into the city if you need a rush. Go on treks, walks and exploration of the local communities. This is a small resort so the 17 villas are all about peace and seclusion. Even dinner is personally designed with the chef to be taken in your villa. The villas come with their own massage tables and foot baths.
For a splurge: There are only 13 rooms and the Pool and Spa ones have their own private pools and massage tables.
Where: About an hour’s drive from Jaipur’s city center in the countryside.
How much: Rates starting at US$125. Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Dera Amer Wilderness Camp – Jaipur’s best hotel for safari lovers
Not of the African Big Five type, but the safaris you can do at Dera Amer will be more limited to pachyderm and flying types. Yet you will certainly feel like Indiana Jones, especially because of the dry barren landscapes like those in Petra. The word glamping takes on a new meaning here.
If you are very lucky, you may spot leopards and hyena, but antelope and peacocks are more common. Rescued elephants from Jaipur’s Amer Fort (please don’t ride the elephants there) have found their home here and can be observed and cared for, they are like family and will be a part of your experience.
All of the (only) six luxury tents in this family-run permanent tented safari camp in Jaipur come with electrical showers and proper toilets so there is no hardship. Earthly comforts like plush beds and iPod docks are available too.
If you are looking for a more rustic experience, the staff can also set up a rustic camp for up to 6 people in Quechua tents which are exactly like regular camping. Facilities are available in the main building.
You can explore the city while returning to your explorer camp at night, gin & tonic in hand, sitting around the fire under a carpet of stars. The staff can organise safaris into the wilderness with the local tribespeople.
Bear in mind that because of the nature of the accommodation, the camp closes in the summer monsoon season from May to September.
For a splurge: The luxury tents are my thing as I am not a camping lover and prefer comfort.
Where: The camp seems completely isolated and removed but it is actually just an hour from the airport in Jaipur and 30min from the city center.
How much: Rates starting at US$390. Book your stay on Booking.com
Sujan Rajmahal Palace – Best hotel in Jaipur for downtown opulence with a dose of English countryside
Elegant and exuberant at once, this was the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur in town and his Thunderbird car is still onsite, available for guests to take a tour of the town. After the last Maharaja of Jaipur, Rajmahal became the British Residency and the Queen and Prince Philip stayed here in the 60s.
The refurbishment led by Adil Ahmad brought new fabrics and decor that cover every part of each space. No single bit of any room has been left empty, there is always a wallpaper, a rug or a piece of furniture in bright colors.
This means that sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming with the crystal chandeliers and the velvet fabrics or the upholstery matching the wallpaper in the style of an English country house more than that of a Rajasthani royal. The restaurant serves food with silverware and afternoon tea is still served by the lawn.
Guests of the hotel have access to a City Palace private tour that makes the stay worth it just for this. Jaipur is quite a touristy place and the City Palace is packed with visitors. Access to the premium section costs 50 euro per person so you should consider this when looking at the price of the room (aka two guess at 50 euro each for the tour saved by staying there).
Even if you are not staying at the hotel, the bar and restaurant are worth a visit just because of how pretty they are.
For a splurge: Each room is of equal luxury but different and there are only 15, including two double bedroom apartments. The past elegance has been reimagined with colorful designs and lots of detail on its refurbishing and reopening in 2015.
Where: This is one of only two of the best hotels in Jaipur on this list to be located in town, the other is Samode Haveli. In fact it is so central that you can hear the train station.
How much: Rates starting at US$360. Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Taj Jai Mahal Palace – Best hotel in Jaipur for perfectly manicured gardens
Taj Jai Mahal Palace is a heritage hotel in the center of the Pink City boasting a birth year dating back to 1745. Not only is the hotel a perfect example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, it has also been the home to three Prime Ministers of Jaipur before being transformed into a luxury hotel.
There are 18 acres of pristinely landscaped Mughal gardens to explore with 94 rooms and six suites looking over the manicured greenery. There’s yoga and meditation overlooking the expansive lawns and the absolute luxe Jiva Spa to rejuvenate and restore body and mind.
Taj Jai Mahal Palace is also one of the most romantic places to hold a large regal wedding as it can hold up to 2,500 guests on the Palace Lawns. Business meetings can also be held in private in one of the luxury boardrooms.
The property also boasts three world-class restaurants from royal Indian cuisine at Cinnamon, delicious contemporary Italian at Giardino or all-day-dining with an extensive menu at Marble Arch. Move over to Marigold bar for sundowners, single malts and cigars. And start your day off at the on-site bakery La Patisserie.
For a splurge: Take one of the massive 100-120 sqm Premium Suites that are individually themed in the style of Jaipur, Peacock, Topaz and Crystal. Apart from the grandeur, you’ll also get city views and an express check-in.
Where: Taj Jai Mahal Palace is centrally located in the heart of downtown Jaipur. It’s therefore close to the main shopping areas and historical like such as Amber Fort, HawaMahal and City Palace. It’s also a quick 30min drive from Jaipur International Airport.
How much: Rates starting at US$310. Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
ITC Rajputana – Best hotel in Jaipur for a traditional haveli stay
The ITC Rajputana is unique in the fact that it is designed to mimic the local havelis. As you enter the premises, you’ll be wowed by the gorgeous red-brick exteriors and intricate lattice work that surround the property. Stroll around the landscaped courtyards and through the long corridors, taking in all the luxurious splendor.
Have the best night’s sleep you’ve ever taken in one of the magnificent Sweet Sleeper Beds that are a standard feature in the 218 guest rooms. If you can get out of bed, roll on over to the Kaya Kalp Spa and then onto the complimentary steam and sauna rooms to relax even more.
If you’re more into athleisure, you’ll find solace in a game of croquet, water polo, table tennis or find your inner child with a life-sized snakes & ladders board. Gaming consoles, coloring books and a children’s library are also available for the little ones.
If you’re a fan of great food (rhetorical statement) then you’re spoilt for choice here as there are several options to choose from depending on what you’re craving. Peshawari is a Specialty Restaurant serving up the flavors of the North-West Frontier Province, Sheesh Mahal is a classy cocktail bar, Jaipur Pavilion is an all-day dining multi-cuisine a la carte & buffet restaurant. Then you have Jharokha if you like your food pool side, or Taj Mahal for a multi-cuisine buffet restaurant.
For a splurge: While all the rooms are spacious and lavish, the Presidential Suite is beyond luxury with its own dining room table. This is a good option for 2 couples who don’t mind sharing a space or families with around 4-5 people.
Where: Like the Jai Mahal Palace, the ITC Rajputana is also downtown in the centre and therefore super convenient.
How much: Rates starting at US$230. Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
Alila Bishangarh Fort – Best hotel in Jaipur for a stay in a fully restored warrior fort
Alila Fort Bishangarh is legendary. The heritage hotel sits atop a granite hill and has been transformed from a warrior fort that’s over 230 years old. But the fort wasn’t just improved, it was painstakingly redeveloped with extensive research and care, using sustainable design practices so that it fully utilised the original architecture.
The fort uses elements of Jaipur Gharana architecture, with a hint of Rajput and Mughal influences. All local materials were used for the restoration and they have ended up with a truly unique and spectacularly beautiful concept which combines old and new, a modern hotel connected to its roots. 30,000 sqft of the 100,000 sqft property is covered in marble, the rest is set in sandstone.
Yet the interior is surprisingly, and might we say refreshingly, simple. Instead of the ornate interiors of other Rajastani properties, the stark and spartan interiors allows for uncluttered space and a clean openness with only elements of Rajasthani design concepts like Tarkashi (brass wire designs that are inlaid in wood) and Thikri glass inlays. Majestic is the perfect word to describe the property.
Even the design concept of the spa is refreshingly different. When last were you pampered and massaged in what used to be an old dungeon? Stroll through the maze of the interiors and you’ll discover hidden passageways and cellars with surprise bars and lounges. The Haveli is where you can chillax by the pool and also has Play Alila, the kids’ club. Take on step further and you’ll reach the organic garden, a fruit orchard and a greenhouse.
The dining options are as varied and unique as any of the other rooms. The previous royal quarters have been transformed into the main restaurant Amarsar, with traditional surkhi (stone dust) and araish (glistening Rajasthani dye and plaster art) walls. Then there’s Nazaara, an outdoor grill and sand-pit cooking dining terrace serving Rajput cuisine.
The cigar lounge, Madhuveni, was once used to defend the royalty with holes that were used to pour hot oil onto intruders. And finally the Kachhawa Lounge serves champagne, coffee, chai and cakes.
For a splurge: A stay here is a spurge in itself as the heritage rooms don’t come cheap and even the entry level suites are gorgeous. Yet if you really want to go all out, try the Regal Suite with an oversized circular tub in the center of the room, large bay windows and a day bed to watch the views. The Presidential Suite is a no brainer for ultra luxe, standing at 1,054 sqft and perched on the top floor with its own private terrace.
Where: Alila Fort Bishangarh is an hour north of the city center
How much: Rates starting at US$415. Book your stay on Booking.com | Agoda
You can also read about the best places to stay in Udaipur (like Shiv Niwas Palace), or Jodhpur; and our travel guides to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaiper and Jaisalmer. Or complete your trip like royalty by taking one of the most luxurious train in India into Jaipur.