Located on 26 acres of land, the Umaid Bhawan Palace at Jodhpur a city in the western state of Rajasthan, India, was named the Best Hotel in the World for 2016 (with a five out of five rating among its 840 guests), by travel site TripAdvisor, in their annual Travellers’ Choice Awards, reports BuzzFeed.
The palace was designed by Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester and commissioned in 1928 when His Royal Highness Maharaja Umaid Singh created employment opportunities for his people during a period of drought. This masterpiece of craftsmanship was constructed by a special method of interlocking with no mortar binding. The 347-room palace has served as the principal residence of the Jodhpur royal family since its completion in 1943.
Built entirely in yellow sandstone, the palace is a blend of eastern and western architectural styles. Its 105-foot high cupola is influenced by the Renaissance, while the towers draw inspiration from the Rajput tradition. The lavish interiors with gilt furniture and elegant artwork follow the Art Deco style, complemented by the exotic murals of the self-exiled Polish artist Stefan Norblin.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
