Shahpura Bagh Hotel - Shahpura (Bhilwara)

19th-century royal lakeside estate in rural Rajasthan

A Heritage Estate on the Lake

Shahpura Bagh Hotel occupies a 19th-century summer palace known as Nahar Niwas, set on the edge of a lake in the town of Shahpura (Bhilwara). The property spans 22 hectares of manicured gardens and farmland, with a walking trail that circles the lake. Guests can book a rowboat on the lake or simply watch the resident and migratory waterbirds from the poolside loungers.

Rooms and Suites

Accommodations are located in the original palace wing and two separate villa suites, each with high ceilings, antique furnishings, and private outdoor sit-outs. All rooms offer air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a minibar, and a bathroom with both a bathtub and a walk-in shower. The two villa suites include an outdoor shower and a private seating area in the garden.

Dining and Cuisine

All meals are served outdoors in the garden or by the pool, with dinner prepared over a wood fire. The kitchen specializes in authentic Rajasthani cuisine, using ingredients sourced from the hotel's own farm. Guests can also request a private dining experience at the family's 17th-century fort Dhikola, located 12 km away.

Activities and Cultural Experiences

Each night's stay includes one complimentary activity: sundowner drinks at the family's hilltop fort, a guided birdwatching walk with resident naturalist Shabbir Khan, or a jeep tour of local villages and the farm. The hotel also offers yoga classes, acupressure sessions, and cycling around the property. Birdwatchers can spot more than 180 species, including purple sunbirds, long-tailed shrikes, and purple swamphens.

Community and Wellness

The royal family that owns Shahpura Bagh Hotel runs a local school and a farm that supports the surrounding community. Guests can visit the school, meet the farmers, and learn about rural life directly from the villagers. The on-site spa offers personalized acupressure treatments, and the outdoor swimming pool is open year-round.

• Location: Lakeside estate in Shahpura, midway between Jaipur and Udaipur
• Rooms: 8 suites in original palace plus villa suites with outdoor showers
• Dining: Wood-fire Rajasthani dinners and private dining at 17th-century fort
• Activities: Complimentary birdwatching, fort sundowners, village tours, yoga, acupressure
• Wellness: On-site spa, pool, guided walking trails
• Birdlife: Over 180 species documented on property
• Community: Family-run school and farm visits included