Guests Can Now Stay in the Royal Palace of Jaipur for the First Time Ever
His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, India, has become the first-ever king to host on Airbnb. The 300-year-old City Palace of Jaipur, home to Jaipur’s royal family, has listed the Gudliya Suite, which will be available for booking starting November 23 for $7,983 per night. Until now, the suite has solely been host to royals and their esteemed guests, including notable visitors such as Oprah Winfrey, Jacqueline Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and Princess Diana. His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh tells AD that “the suite leaves no stone unturned in an opulent and relaxed stay.”
The palatial one-bedroom, one-bathroom suite—located in one of the private sections of the palace—can accommodate two guests and includes a lounge, a kitchen, and a private indoor swimming pool; rich architectural detailing is found throughout.
The king explains that the palace was built in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of the city of Jaipur. “The City Palace exemplifies the best of 18th-century Rajput architecture with other architectural influences of later periods,“ he says. He adds that the interiors contain ornate chambers, large and airy reception halls, crystal chandeliers, gilded wall decorations, and intricate carvings.
In addition to the royal residence, the sprawling palace complex houses a large, internationally recognized museum. He says, “The palace itself is a theatrical maze of gardens, pavilions, courtyards, and temples, and it’s located smack-dab in the city center—a stone’s throw from attractions like Jantar Mantar and Tripolia Gate.”
Guests are chauffeur-driven from the airport to the property and assigned a private butler upon arrival. Additionally, the king says that “authentic Rajasthani meals may be enjoyed on a terrace offering an amazing view of the surrounding Aravalli hills and forts overlooking the palace, and peaceful afternoon tea can be had in the company of the resident peacocks who live in the Palace’s lush gardens.”
There’s even a sliver of a chance that guests might see a Royal during their stay, though it's not too likely. AD has been told that “nevertheless, guests might get a fortunate opportunity to interact with His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh depending on his schedule and availability in Jaipur.”
The 21-year-old king, who plays polo and has an Instagram following of 128,000, is a strong supporter of women’s empowerment initiatives. The listing states that in addition to a butler, the royal staff will cater to requests, and that His Royal Highness is delighted to send a list of personally selected places to eat, drink, or shop in Jaipur.
In addition to being an international figure, the king, also known as Pacho among his friends and family, is a cultural ambassador for Rajasthan. He takes great pride in the rich heritage of the state, and loves to meet new people and share his neighborhood recommendations.
If it all feels a bit relaxed, it is. The king explains that while the palace guards will remain at their designated posts, there are no additional security precautions in place. “Guests will be given access to the private passageway that leads to their room in Chandra Mahal, as well as all parts of the palace that are open to the public.” The proceeds of each booking will go to the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to supporting rural woman and artisans in Rajasthan. The suite will be available to book on select nights at a special inaugural offer of $1,000 USD per night, with Airbnb paying the balance amount for each booking as a contribution to the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation. From January 1, the suite will resume the full rate of $8,000 USD.
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
