"How did it strike you on arrival?It’s in the name: This is a palace. And I don’t mean that proverbially, as in this place is like a palace. I mean this is a once-home-to-local-rulers, actual palace. It’s evident the moment you step into the building. Interiors are dominated by the polished marble and vaulting ceilings characteristic of the Indo-Saracenic architecture that was popular here in the 18th century, when this place was built. The next thing you notice, beyond the majesty of what’s inside, is what’s outside: Namely, 18 acres of meticulously manicured Mughal-style gardens, perfect for an afternoon with a novel or a stroll contemplating all the rich history embedded in every corner of Jaipur. And speaking of Jaipur, the Taj Jai Mahal Palace is located on a quiet street in the central Civil Lines, not quite in the middle of all the tourist action, but easy enough to get to all the forts, palaces, and markets that have made this city so popular. Nice. What’s the crowd like?Don’t expect the backpacker set that first put this city on the tourist map decades ago. These are people who want to be treated like royalty—think young honeymooning couples and older ones back for a return visit—and are just not able to rationalize staying anywhere else in this city. How was check in?Palace-dwellers don’t stress, and here, if I may remind you, you are in a palace. Much of your stay is customizable, down to the softness of your mattress. Beyond a flat-screen TV, don’t expect much in the way of envelope-pushing tech, but this is an 18th-century mansion that still retains much of its original beauty, so if tech-forward bells and whistles were what you were looking for, you’re in the wrong place. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.The entry-level accommodation rooms, the Deluxe Rooms, are plenty luxurious in their own right. You’ll find a four-poster bed, marble floors, intricate wooden latticework, white marble, and miniature paintings, all hallmarks of Rajasthani culture. Every detail seems to have been thought about—down to the soap dispensers in the bathroom—to make sure it stays true to the history of this region. Views are either of the tranquil gardens or Jaipur’s streets, though we'd opt for the garden views for that feeling of escape. If you're really looking to do the royalty thing, you can choose from the hotel’s six sprawling suites, each named after a particular facet of Jaipur’s culture or history. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?If you’re not wowed by the Taj Jai Mahal Palace’s commitment to turning this hotel into a living museum, then check your pulse. What you make of it is up to you—whether it’s your launching point for exploring the city, only coming back after a long day on your feet, or if you prefer to spend an afternoon by the pool, followed by a run along the on-property jogging track. If you’re feeling particularly showy, you can even customize your arrival—and be greeted by (we kid you not) camels and elephants decked out in full-on festive attire. Room service and food: Worth it?Jaipur is home to so many incredible restaurants, you could probably eat every meal there for a decade and not get bored. But if you decide to eat on the palace grounds at least one night—and you should—you’ve got options aplenty: four restaurants, a bar, and a bakery. The real standout is Cinnamon, which serves dishes traditionally enjoyed by the aristocracy of the so-called “princely states” (semi-autonomous vassal states of the British Raj) of Rajputana, Awadh, Hyderabad, and Kashmir, all in what once served as a prime minister’s dining room. Menu highlights include Laal Maas, a lamb cooked with a heavy helping of chilies, and the house speciality, Dal Cinnamon, black lentils slow-cooked overnight. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.A proper showcase of the local culture wouldn’t be complete without music, and fear not, the Taj Jai Mahal Palace doesn’t come up short. Catch intimate showcases of folk dance and puppetry every evening in the gardens, put on by multi-generational performance troupes that will have you transfixed for hours. Bottom line: Worth it, and why?The history of India’s maharajas wouldn’t be complete without multiple mentions of Jaipur, the so-called Pink City. People come here from all over the world for that very history—all the forts and palaces that over the years have been restored and preserved. The Taj Jai Mahal Palace offers the opportunity to stay in a piece of that history, with all the trappings of royalty that come with it."
