Jodhpur · Mandore Road
A red sandstone palace on the bank of a 12th-century lake, 5 kilometres outside Jodhpur, built as the royal family's own retreat from the monsoon.
The lake was here first, cut into solid rock 4 centuries before the palace went up beside it, and it is still the reason the palace is where it is. It is recorded as India's first artificial lake, dug in the 12th century, and it runs for over a kilometre along the edge of the 60-acre estate. Maharaja Jaswant Singh I built the palace on its bank in the 17th century as the Jodhpur royal family's monsoon retreat, in red sandstone worked into the arches and screens of Rajput architecture, and the tradition holds: the first rains of the season still bring the family back for a celebration on the grounds. The walled city is 5 kilometres away, the airport 12.
The ladder here is short and plainly built. Garden Room is the entry grade, 22 square metres on the ground floor among the estate's orchards and lawns, one of 26 in the property and the only grade with a sitting area of its own outside, in the backyard. Regal Suite steps up to 56 square metres, inside the palace wing itself, in marble floors and Rajputana furniture and fixtures, with a bathtub Garden Room does not have and a garden view that only partly clears the wing. Maharani Suite is the same 56 square metres, one floor up, and it is the one built for the water: every window gives onto Bal Samand itself. Every room here sleeps up to 3 adults, and every bed is king-size.
This is still a family estate before it is a hotel: the Jodhpur royals return to the lawns every year when the rains break, and the wedding lawn and the Maharaja Tent are built for exactly that kind of gathering, not a single table for two. Drivers travelling with a car are given their own sleeping arrangement, parking is free, and a wheelchair can be arranged at the desk. Laundry is chargeable; a doctor is on call.
Balsamand Lake. The lake the palace takes its name from runs for over a kilometre, cut into solid rock in the 12th century and recorded as the first artificial lake built in India. The red sandstone causeway along its edge, with a domed pavilion at the end of it, is where the house lays a private dinner at sunset, on request.
The Swimming Pool. A swimming pool sits within the grounds, open to every room here and confirmed running year-round. The croquet lawn is a few steps from the deck, for anyone who would rather stay dry.
Riding, Buggies and the Open Ground. The 60-acre estate carries a golf course, a cycling and jogging track and a marked nature trail, with birdwatching along the water. Horse riding and a buggy ride are arranged on request, and so is a jeep safari further out into the country.
Weddings and Private Events. The lawns and the Maharaja Tent take weddings and private celebrations, with a wedding lawn of the house's own and conference space under canvas. The staff here are used to a destination crowd, not only a table for two.
Excursions Into the City and the Desert. Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada are both 8 kilometres away, Mandore Garden 7, and the Umaid Bhawan Palace museum 11. Further out, an evening among the sand dunes is arranged on request, about 65 kilometres from Jodhpur, and a resident astrologer and a yoga instructor are both available the same way.
Garden Room is 22 square metres on the ground floor, one of 26 built around the lawns.
Regal Suite and Maharani Suite are both 56, inside the palace wing itself, with marble floors and a bathtub Garden Room does not have.
Regal Suite and Maharani Suite are the same size in the same wing, and the real choice between them is the view.
Regal Suite looks onto the garden, in part; Maharani Suite looks onto Bal Samand itself, from every window.
The cap is 3 adults everywhere, from Garden Room to Maharani Suite, and every bed is king-size.
Only Garden Room comes with a sitting area of its own outside; the two suites keep their sitting space indoors.
The lake was here first, cut into solid rock 4 centuries before the palace went up beside it, and it is still the reason the palace is where it is.
Bal Samand Lake Palace
Mandore Road
Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342026
India
A child is 12 or under.
Arranged before arrival; no figure is published for it.
Rates are quoted for your dates.
Room
22 m² · Sleeps 3
The garden
Garden Room is 22 square metres on the ground floor, among the estate's orchards and lawns, with a private sitting area of its own in the backyard.
Suite
56 m² · Sleeps 3
The garden, in part
Regal Suite is 56 square metres inside the palace wing, in marble floors and Rajputana furniture, with a bathtub and a garden view that only partly clears the wing.
Suite
56 m² · Sleeps 3
Bal Samand Lake
Maharani Suite is 56 square metres on the palace wing's top floor, the one grade here that looks onto Bal Samand Lake from every window, with a king bed and an elegant bathroom with a bathtub.
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