Jaipur - Raj Palace
Spring 2008
Frank's view 
'deluded misrepresentation on an unparalled scale'
En route to the Amber Fort from the Rambagh Palace, I spotted a grand building set back from the road, in one of Jaipur’s less salubrious districts.
Our guide informed us that it was the Raj Palace, the city’s most historic hotel, and a former home of the Maharajah.
Always interested to investigate new hotels and restaurants, we arranged to return for lunch and have a tour of the hotel.
We were told that the restaurant was closed for a function, and were duly shown to The Royal Lounge, otherwise known as ‘The Coffee Shop’.
The chicken curry and traditional black lentil dish, accompanied by three Indian breads, was the poorest food we encountered in a three week visit to India.
A manager escorted us around the hotel visiting several rooms and suites. The entry level ‘ Heritage Rooms’ were spacious but the bathrooms tiny and basic. The ‘Historical Suites’ were, spacious and impressive. All rooms displayed antiques and artefacts from the days of the Raj.
Moving back towards reception we were engulfed by a coach tour of pasty Europeans playing ‘follow my leader’ as they flocked to the restaurant. An increasingly impatient wait to exit through the small lobby door followed as the mindless sheep continued to barge through, oblivious to any other life or matter.
Later, I ‘Googled' the Raj Palace and visited their web site. It’s worth a look for the most self congratulatory rant you are ever likely to read.
“Acknowledged as the world’s best Heritage Hotel…”
“Among the Luxury hotels of India we are Recognised as the best Luxury hotel in India…”
“If you are looking for Best hotel amongst the best luxury hotels of India with a true Indian Royal Palace flavour, then we are the right place for you, as we are the best luxury hotels in the Palace category in the world…”
“Our restaurant and bars were voted one of the best in the world…”
“This is what makes the Raj Palace the best luxury hotel in India…”
The Raj Palace
Jorawer Singh Gate
Amer Road
Jaipur
+91 141 2634077
http://www.rajpalace.com/
Our guide informed us that it was the Raj Palace, the city’s most historic hotel, and a former home of the Maharajah.
Always interested to investigate new hotels and restaurants, we arranged to return for lunch and have a tour of the hotel.
We were told that the restaurant was closed for a function, and were duly shown to The Royal Lounge, otherwise known as ‘The Coffee Shop’.
The chicken curry and traditional black lentil dish, accompanied by three Indian breads, was the poorest food we encountered in a three week visit to India.
A manager escorted us around the hotel visiting several rooms and suites. The entry level ‘ Heritage Rooms’ were spacious but the bathrooms tiny and basic. The ‘Historical Suites’ were, spacious and impressive. All rooms displayed antiques and artefacts from the days of the Raj.
Moving back towards reception we were engulfed by a coach tour of pasty Europeans playing ‘follow my leader’ as they flocked to the restaurant. An increasingly impatient wait to exit through the small lobby door followed as the mindless sheep continued to barge through, oblivious to any other life or matter.
Later, I ‘Googled' the Raj Palace and visited their web site. It’s worth a look for the most self congratulatory rant you are ever likely to read.
“Acknowledged as the world’s best Heritage Hotel…”
“Among the Luxury hotels of India we are Recognised as the best Luxury hotel in India…”
“If you are looking for Best hotel amongst the best luxury hotels of India with a true Indian Royal Palace flavour, then we are the right place for you, as we are the best luxury hotels in the Palace category in the world…”
“Our restaurant and bars were voted one of the best in the world…”
“This is what makes the Raj Palace the best luxury hotel in India…”
The Raj Palace
Jorawer Singh Gate
Amer Road
Jaipur
+91 141 2634077
http://www.rajpalace.com/
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
