By Shilpa Raina
Jaipur, Dec 27 (IANS) At first glance, it is difficult to believe that the Raj Palace has been standing for around 300 years. The pale yellow walls, lush green gardens and antique furniture look too perfect to be that old. It has all been restored in painstaking detail.

Located on the Amber Fort Road near Zorawar Singh Gate, you might miss this palace altogether thanks to the screen of trees in front. But once inside, it’s a different world in five acres — with 38 suites, swimming pool, health club, coffee shop, dining spaces and small museums in every room.

The moment you enter what is now a heritage hotel, two tall neem trees welcome you. The overarching leaves seem busy whispering to one another the history of generations. Walking past them, you enter the main corridor, and a giant Ganesha statue catches your attention. Then comes the gallery with its array of antique jewellery and crockery.

Though the palace has a lift, if you want to get a feel of how maharajas used to live, you’d better take the narrow stairs, something we are not used to any more.

No two rooms are identical in design. And with each floor having a courtyard, every room has access to direct sunlight, much to the delight of those wanting a tan in the balmy winter sun.

Built in 1727 by the ruler of Chomu — then a small principality in Rajputana — the palace was re-opened as a heritage hotel in 1997. Descendants of the then princely family of Chomu still own the palace and have been restoring it ever since 1997.

They have adhered to the original plan. Seventy percent of the furniture is original too, while the rest has been re-designed, keeping the original in mind. Vegetable dyes have been used to fill in the carvings on the walls.

The well-carved wooden chairs, tables and swings are matched by the intricate designs on the silver-leaf beds, doors and the throne.

The floor has undergone major restoration with white marble and tiles replacing stones and cement.

A highlight is the Durbar Mahal Suite that used to be the king’s rest and recreation area.

Spread over 16,000 square feet, it is a four-floor apartment that has a luxurious seating lounge, bedrooms, swimming pool and a library to live life king size.

It also houses the original throne of the maharaja, silver furniture and decorative pieces. Taps in the bathroom are gold plated.

Little wonder that Raj Palace has won the Best World’s Leading Luxury Heritage Hotel award at the World Travel Awards for the third time in a row.

Further, the Durbar Mahal Suite has won Asia’s Leading Suite award by World Travel.

How to reach: Jaipur can be reached by road, rail and flight.

Tariff: The stay can be yours for $15,000 a night. Standard rooms are for $375 a night, heritage rooms for $500, a historical suite for $750 and a prestige suite for $1,250.

(Shilpa Raina can be contacted at shilpa.r@ians.in)