Bhanwar Vilas Palace Hotel is located in the town of Karauli in Rajasthan, India. Tourists don’t really have a reason to stop here unless it is on the route as they travel the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Karauli is midway between Jaipur and Agra, 65km from Mahau, and 110km from Sawai Madhopur. Karauli is the former capital of the Princely State of Karauli. Making a side trip to this Karauli hotel will really add to your India experience and even more so if you stay overnight at the Bhanwar Vilas Palace Hotel.
Bhanwar Vilas Palace Hotel Karauli
The elegant Bhanwar Vilas Palace Hotel Karauli was constructed in 1938 as the residence for the Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo Bhadur. Today the property has been partially converted into a hotel but is still home to the Maharaja’s descendants. You may just find yourself having tea with the Prince, Princess, or their delightful daughter as you relax in the courtyard garden.
The Karauli Hotel
The Bhanwar Vilas Palace Hotel Karauli offers guests the elegant surroundings of a traditional royal country home. The original pre-independence colonial-style architecture, artwork on the walls depicting ancestors, antique furniture, memorabilia from the Maharaja’s family, and even a stuffed tiger gives the ambiance of a time many years ago.
This Indian heritage hotel consists of a palatial entrance, a sitting room where guests are received, 35 rooms and 8 luxury suites and a dining hall. Going through the entrance area and reception the property opens up to an inner courtyard with well-kept gardens and seating areas.
The rooms open on to the courtyard. Now although this hotel Karauli is undoubtedly grand and reminiscent of days-gone-by it does feel as if it is only just managing to maintain the modern comforts and not crumble at the seams. Don’t think you will be getting a standard hotel bedroom. If you stay here it is more for the experience than anything else (which could be said about many things in India).
At the Bhanwar Vilas Palace, you are staying in the converted rooms of the palace and so the proportions may not be what you expect – a huge cupboard; heavy furniture, or even a bathroom that is the same size as your bedroom! In the beautiful gardens of this hotel Karauli, you could encounter rabbits, peacocks, and other creatures.
Bhanwar Vilas Palace Hotel Karauli Amenities and Facilities
You will have free WiFi use at this Karauli hotel; delicious food prepared on the premises and attentive service. Other amenities include hairdryer, air-conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities. There is plenty of parking, a bar, laundry service, and bottled water provided. The obliging staff can probably arrange a private meal, horse riding for you or a guided tour.
What to Do in Karauli, India
The best thing you can do is go for a walk!
This way you will see how the people in rural India really live. Start with a walk through the Bhanwar Vilas Palace grounds. See the Maharaja’s vintage car collection (if available), the cowshed (watch the workers grinding weeds to mix with cow dung for fuel), and walk down past the stables and out of the hotel grounds. Turn left and walk into Karauli.
You can take a walk through the town; see shop fronts where bamboo is stacked up to be used as scaffolding; see women collecting water; children on their way to school and in the open storefronts see artisans at work making the locally produced bangles out of tree gum.
Other sights you may encounter include cows roaming the streets, a storefront selling fresh yogurt, boars, and stray dogs.
You may even find your way to the local temple. If you don’t want to walk all the way back to the hotel catch a bicycle rickshaw.
Tip: Expect mosquitoes! Expect a hotel of three-star Western standard but five star Indian Heritage grandeur and an unbeatable Indian welcome.
Where: Bhanwar Vilas Palace Hotel, Baghi Khana, Karauli, Rajasthan, 322241, India. If you don’t want to walk through the village on your own you can rent a local!
When: Year-round
Web: Bhanwar Vilas Palace Karauli
More India: Going via Delhi? Read about the top 10 unusual sites in Delhi.
(Use of photos permitted only with a link back to this page and credit to Unique Travel Experiences).
Loved the pictures and description of this grand old residence in the town of Karouli, a gem in rural India.