travelmemoirsofswaati.blogspot.in: November 2016

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I am an intrepid traveller. Travelling has been my passion since school days. Hailing from the steel city of Rourkela in Odisha, I always had an opportunity to plan out my holidays with my family to exotic destinations that are rich in history and heritage in India. Looking back, I have also taken up trekking in Chauragarh hills of Pachmarhi, Shatrunjaya Hills of Palitana, Vaishno Devi or the Muktinath temple in Mustang Valley in Nepal and Lalang Waterfall in rainforests of Tioman Island in Malaysia. I have penned down the Odisha destinations in Pick2Move-India Travel planner brought out by Sampan Media Limited, New Delhi. I have compiled a travelogue themed- “Journeys across India” published by Best Books, Kolkata. I generally take up travel to pen down travelogues, know the art and craft of the faraway lands and of course, I do travel reporting for leading English dailies of India.

Wednesday 30 November 2016

Laxmi Vilas Palace, Bharatpur

Laxmi Vilas Palace: Luxury hospitality in Bharatpur

For all those luxury tourists wishing to do the birding destination of Bharatpur- the gateway city in Rajasthan in a regal way, the heritage landmark of Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel with its plethora of attractions will surely tempt them.

Laxmi Vilas Palace

The only heritage property in the avian destination of Bharatpur is undoubtedly Laxmi Vilas Palace fondly known as Kaka ji ki haveli among the locals in the vicinity of Achnera Marg. Reputed as heritage grand in the world of heritage hotels in Rajasthan, Laxmi Vilas Palace is run by R R Shubh Hotels Private Limited. It was declared as a heritage property in 1994 and in today’s times, it serves as an authentic example of Rajasthani hospitality. I had a chance to drop in at the heritage property during my brief sojourn in Bharatpur a couple of years ago. It was my first brush with royal hospitality in Rajasthan and a long conversation with Rao Raja Raghuraj Singh, the 14th descendant of Bharatpur’s royal dynasty followed.

Rao Raja Raghuraj Singh, Managing Director, Laxmi Vilas Palace

Laxmi Vilas Palace spread over 100 acres of land traces it origin as a Zenana Mahal way back in 1870. The hotel has 46 luxury rooms steeped in bygone luxury along with two restaurants, heritage bar, swimming pool and gym. According to Rao Raja Raghuraj Singh, Managing Director, Laxmi Vilas Palace, “Rajasthan has 90 heritage hotels, out of which only 20 heritage properties are recognized by the government. Our heritage hotel exhibits ageless artefacts of Italian marble and travellers can get to watch the portraits of the royal dynasty in every nook and corner. The interior walls have fresco paintings; there are traditional paintings inlaid with gold and an impressive fireplace depicting the customs of regal times. It is the only hospitality set-up that offers heritage cuisine and Bharatpuri cuisine”.

Restaurant at Laxmi Vilas Palace

The only heritage property that is into avian conservation in the district of Bharatpur, Laxmi Vilas Palace is engaged in eco-tourism, organic farming and is doing its bit to conserve the avian species. “We are into conserving around 40 species of local migratory and resident avifauna in our hotel. Our hotel receives domestic and global travellers with an avid interest in bird watching and cultural heritage,” said Rao Raja Raghuraj Singh.