Samode Palace

The first version of Samode Palace went up more than 500 years ago as a Rajput fort, built in marble and detailed masonry. It was not until the 19th century that the fort was redesigned into the Indo-Saracenic building standing today. The murals and frescoes on the Darbar Hall walls date back over 250 years. Samode Hotels runs it, along with Samode Haveli, Samode Bagh and Samode Safari Lodge.

Samode is a village 45 km from Jaipur, and the drive ends inside fortified walls at a stairway climbing to the sandstone facade, the Aravallis behind. There are 43 rooms and suites in three categories, the top-floor ones with private balconies and jacuzzis. Handpainted murals run across walls and ceilings, and bougainvillea fringes the courtyards.

Guests sit in the Sultan Mahal, on the terraces or at one of two poolside bars. There is a swimming pool, a spa, a gymnasium and a vintage car collection at the entrance. The Grand Dining Hall is the relaxed option; a fine dining restaurant is kept for in-house guests, with an Indian silver thali on pre-order. The Darbar Hall seats groups, and the Sheesh Mahal, the Hall of Mirrors once reserved for women, is laid for couples.