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| Romantic Travel |
Editorials Clothing Optional Travel Destinations 5 Ways To Make Any Restaurant Meal Romantic Feel Like a (Romantic) Kid Again
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A Night in a Maharaja's Bed by Paris Permenter & John
Bigley, Imagine a night in a
maharaja's palace. The scent of incense gives the room an atmosphere as
exotic as its surroundings. A small fountain gently splashes in the
sitting room. In the bedroom, antique carved furniture sets the mood for a
romantic evening. This is Rambagh Palace where, like other lucky travelers, we learned that you no longer have to be a maharani to enjoy a night in a maharaja's suite. Today this expansive palace, located outside the city of Jaipur, is a grand hotel welcoming guests from around the world. Located in the state of Rajasthan, Rambagh is filled with the rich history of the Rajputs. First a home for the queen's favorite maid, the building later became a hunting lodge and guest house, soon renamed for Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II. As a young prince, his grandson later came here during its days as a private school and in 1925 Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II made Rambagh a palace in the grandest sense of the word. Our arrival at Rambagh was heralded, literally, by trumpeting elephants and regal camels. Groups can arrange for these special welcomes truly fit for a king. Riding high atop a caparisoned elephant decorated with flowery designs, we rode to the palace like a maharaja and maharani. Dismounting, a woman in a richly colorful sari met us and placed a tikka, the auspicious red dot, on each of our foreheads. We were draped in marigold garlands while, at our feet, a marigold pattern welcomed us. While Rambagh may today be a
hotel rather than a palace, it is certainly still royal. Located on 47
acres, the sprawling edifice stands like a cool beige mirage, surrounded
by five gardens. Colorful peacocks strut across the manicured lawns, small
birds take shelter in the mandarin orange bushes, and small monkeys
skitter across the lawn, eager to grab a piece of succulent fruit. Photos courtesy Taj Hotels Copyright Paris Permenter and John Bigley Husband and wife team Paris Permenter and John Bigley have authored over 20 guidebooks and also edit the FREE Lovetripper.com , a romantic travel magazine featuring worldwide destinations.
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fountain,
the Maharani Suite, a romantic dream in rich red brocades and a canopied
seating area; and the Maharaja Suites, two adjoining rooms in a simpler
style and showcasing, appropriately enough, a king-sized canopied bed. One
of the most unique suites is the Sheesh Mahal, highlighted by thousands of
cut glass pieces around the ceiling and on the walls, each glistening with
reflections from the cut glass chandelier.