Complete Guide

When it comes to the best heritage hotels in India, there can be no better choice than Jaipur.

Rated as one of the best cities in the world by the readers of the famed journal ‘Travel + Leisure’, continually over the past few years, JAIPUR has also earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Besides, it is the first planned city in India that beautifully blends ornate architectural masterpieces with sprawling palaces and forts, amidst a canopy of lush green hills and idyllic lakes.

Above all, it is home to the best Jaipur heritage hotel, Hotel Narain Niwas Palace.

Hotel Narain Niwas with some of the best luxury rooms in Jaipur is a place to stay and feast on sumptuous meals, when in Jaipur. It is also home to the best bar and restaurants in Jaipur where you can relish a delicious meal with a drink and reminisce about the bygone age of the royal Maharajas.

Where To Stay?

You will find no better place to stay in Jaipur than Hotel Narain Niwas Palace, among the best heritage hotels in India, centrally located in the Pink City.

HIGHPOINTS

1. 20 Air-conditioned Suites (Garden Suite & Kanota Suite) and Rooms (among the best luxury rooms in Jaipur)– 52 AC Rooms with authentic deco furniture; and 32 standard rooms. All are well-decorated and equipped with modern amenities, including flat-screen Cable TV; Private Bathroom inclusive of a shower; Seating Area; etc; and room service.
2. Best bar and restaurants in Jaipur, including an in-house restaurant, with a selection of Indian and non-Indian cuisines, served on royal plates called ‘Thalis’.
3. Meeting room, well-equipped to host business events.
4. Banquet Hall, with its spacious and elegant setting is perfect for parties and celebrations’.
5. Outdoor swimming pool; spa and sauna, non-smoking rooms, and free Wi-Fi.
6. Playroom, with facilities for table tennis, chess, etc.
7. Airport shuttle & Car Hire facility.
8. 24-hour front desk, ever-ready to answer any queries.
9. Lush green garden with free private parking available on-site

Tourist Attractions nearby

• Close proximity to Jaipur International Airport, Jaipur Bus Station, & Gandhi Nagar Railway Station.
• Birla Mandir is 0.7 kms away.
• Jantar Mantar  is 1.6 kms away.
• Hawa Mahal is 3 kms away.

With its royal architecture; exquisitely decorated ceilings and walls, decked up with frescoes and paintings; ethnic Indian furnishings; Rajaputana Art; and Jaipur-style painted walls in bold colors, Hotel Narain Niwas Palace is where tradition meets modernity for an out-of-the-world experience.

What To See In Jaipur?

There are several tourist attraction spots, but the best among them are:

Hawa Mahal

Situated in the heart of Jaipur, it’s a five-storey architectural marvel that sits at the edge of the City Palace. Made of red and pink sandstone with an exterior that looks like a honeycomb, it has an incredible 953 small windows with latticework that has made it famous the world over.

Amber Palace

About half-an-hour drive from Jaipur, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Popular for elephant rides, this architectural masterpiece has a hall of mirrors with a history that goes back to the year 1592.

City Palace

Built in 1727 adjacent to Hawa Mahal, it is still the home of the Jaipur Royal Family. It additionally comprises of a collection of buildings, open courtyards, and different museums including one with exquisite doors that guard the entry to the palace from the courtyard.

Jal Mahal

A majestic palace that seems to float on top of the water in the center of Man Sagar Lake which resembles glass, but is in actual reality partially submerged when looked at from close quarters from Nahargarh Fort. Out of the five stories, only one is now visible.

Jantar Mantar

A haven for astronomy buffs, it has a collection of 19 astronomical instruments that was built in the early 1700s. Also, it is home to the world’s largest stone sundial, and above all, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nahargarh Fort

Connected to the Jaigarh Fort, it offers sweeping views of the city; Jal Mahal, which is no longer accessible to tourists; and stunning sunrise and sunset views of the city.

How To Get To Jaipur?

By Air

The nearest airport to the city of Jaipur is SANGANER airport, located at a distance of 10 kms from the main city center.

Jaipur offers air flight connectivity to major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, etc. Carriers like GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, operate regular flights from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, etc.

The airport also offers connectivity to top international cities. Carriers like Air Arabia, Oman Air, Ethihad Airlines, Air India Express, etc, offer flights to cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Sharjah, Bangkok, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, etc.

Train

Jaipur Railway Station is about 5 kms away from the main city center. It offer rail connectivity to major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Goa, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bhopal, etc.

Major trains that crisscross Jaipur include Shatabdi Express, Kathgodam Ranikhet Express, etc. Aside from this, there is also the famous luxury train, ‘Palace On Wheels’, for a feel of the royal experience; it leaves from Delhi, and connects various cities in Rajasthan.

Road

Road connectivity is considered to be one of the easiest and reasonable ways to reach Jaipur. Jaipur offers excellent road network to and fro major Indian cities, with NH 8, NH 11, and NH 12 being the main national highways.

Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) offers regular deluxe VOLVO buses connecting Jaipur and neighboring cities like Delhi about 296 kms away, Udaipur about 410 kms away, Agra about 220 kms away, Ahmedabad about 675 kms away, Gwalior about 250 kms away, Ajmer about 135 kms away, and so on.

One can reach Jaipur from Delhi by own transport in about five to six hours vide NH 8 route.

How To Get Around Jaipur?

1. Uber Transport offers the easiest and best way to get around Jaipur. Uber Autos (available on the same as UBER) is considered to be among the cheapest, reasonably priced even when have carry bags with you. ASIDE from UBER, the other popular ride sharing provider is OLA.
2. City Autorickshaws, available off the street. The lowest price going is said to hover around Rs 30/-, with Rs 15 for every kilometer. During peak traffic, the fare could depend on hour and the level of traffic. Additionally, you need to be prepared to haggle for the best bargain.
3. Taxis including private car services, with several taxi companies operating. Many can be booked online.

Where To Eat In And Around Jaipur?

Jaipur is a culinary haven known for some of the most amazing cuisines on the planet.

Street Food

1. Lassiwala, a popular Lassi shop located on M I Road. It is best known for a traditional yogurt drink, Lassi which is one of a kind.
2. Central Park, known for delicious coffee which is more like hot chocolate.
3. Rawat Mishtan Bhandar, located on Station Road, Sindhi Camp. Its known for piping hot deep-friend snack called Pyaaz Kachori. Aside from this, it also offers an extensive menu including mirchi badas, and a disc-shaped sweet called ghewars.
4. Pandit Kulfi, located on Link Road, in Bapu Bazar. It’s known for KULFI FALOODA, a cool creamy frozen dessert.
5. Falahaar on M I Road, its known for sweet shrikhand, served hot with seasonal nuts.
6. Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar, known for iconic sweets like Ghewar, Mishri Mawa, Barfi, Mawa Kachori, etc.
7. Handi on M I Road, known for Lal Maas, a delicious mutton curry, Roomali Rotis, etc.

Restaurants

1. Mohan Dhaba. Known for its Naan, Paneer Labadar, etc.
2. Sanjay Restaurant, known for egg varieties of all kinds from omelettes to egg parathas, flat bread cooked in ghee, etc.
3. Four Seasons, known for mouth-watering delicacies like Rajasthani Thalis, a traditional Indian meal; Indo-Chinese delicacies, and other Indian meals.

Fine Dining

1. Bar Palladio, one of the best bar and restaurants in Jaipur, best known for Italian cuisine, including the homemade gnocchi complimented with a glass of wine.
2. Shikaar Bagh, in Hotel Narain Niwas Palace, known for offering a range of global cuisine complimented by varied drinks.
3. Chokhi Dhani, a traditional folk restaurant, known for traditional Rajasthani cuisine, including the famed Dal Baati, a popular Rajasthani dish of lentils and round bread.

Cafes And Bars

1. Anokhi Café at K K Square, known for its organic offerings.
2. Step Out Café and Book Lounge at K K Square, known for fusion and experimental food.
3. Wind View Café with its rooftop seating offers stunning views of Hawa Mahal; and is known for piping hot masala chai.
4. Curious Life Coffee Roasters, known for Vietnamese cold brew and Bruxie.
5. JKK Café, Tapri Tea House, Blue Tokai Nibs, Café White Sage, all known for great food including casual lunch.
6. Ta-Blu, a high-end bar located near World Trade Park; Beatles; Piante; and House of People, all known for great drinks and music.

NOTE: Alcoholic drinks are pretty expensive as they are heavily taxed in Rajasthan. A glass of wine costs around Rs 700.

No trip to Jaipur can be complete without a trip to the famed Jaipur Bazaars. They are not just a great place for shopping, and eating, but also for just hanging out.

There are three major markets, all in the old town of Jaipur – Bapu, Nehru, and Johri Bazaar, situated next to each other. You can find everything to shop for at these bazaars from clothing gear to footwear, souvenirs, jewellery, bags, purses, and more. Additionally, the vibe for shopping is great supplemented by prices in most cases falling within the reasonable category. Once done with shopping, you can find some great snack stalls for a really delicious snack and drink.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Jaipur is during the winter months, from October through to February, when the temperature will hover between 8 to 26°C.

During this period, the city will look magically divine with crisp atmosphere that’s accentuated by a cool chill in the air, making it a perfect time to visit its famed tourist spots; stroll through its old streets/bazaars; partake in festivals including Jaipur Literature Fest; ride an elephant at Amer Fort or cycle around Nahargarh Fort; and more.