Bissau Palace

Thakur Chandra Singh of Bissau built this haveli in 1874 as his Jaipur residence. Major Rawal Raghubir Singh developed it in the 1920s, when Sawai Man Singh II and Maharani Gayatri Devi were frequent guests, and in 1965 it opened as the first family operated heritage hotel in Rajasthan. The Bissau family still lives on the premises.

The two acre property combines Shekhawati architecture with art deco interiors, and is hung with Rajasthani frescoes, royal portraits and a collection of antiques, armoury and trophies going back to the 17th century, much of it the personal effects of Thakur Shyam Singh, who fought the British and the Jaipur State with hired French mercenaries. There are 26 rooms, all air conditioned with antique furniture and attached bathrooms: 15 Deluxe Rooms, 8 Royal Chambers, and single chambers named for Banswara, Khairagarh and Rawal Raghubir Singh. Two gardens hold bougainvillea, peacocks and kingfishers. A pool sits beside the Poolside Cafe, and dinner can be laid on the rooftop, which looks across to Nahargarh Fort.