Opulence to the core, royalty at its best, sumptuous food, impeccable hospitality, and loads of pampering are what sum up my sweet and short trip to Bikaner.
Narendra Bhawan Bikaner is a new addition to the luxury hotel scene of Bikaner. The hotel which was once the residence of the last reigning King of Bikaner has been converted to an upscale luxury boutique hotel. The hotel is smack in the center of the city and is an eclectic mix of old and new, modern and traditional, simple yet grand.
The hotel is built around the existing house of the king, which was renovated, and two floors are extended keeping the original structure intact. The emphasis has been given to the interiors and the unique curated experiences in Narendra Bhawan Bikaner that it offers its guests to step into a time capsule to the bygone era. I believe it to be a well-thought-out idea to intrigue the guests and keep them occupied in every nuance of the hotel. Much of this credit goes to Karan Sign, MD of the group and of course, the interior designer who gave life to his vision.
• • • Welcome • • •
As you enter, the first thing you would notice in Narendra Bhawan Bikaner is the infusion of color and creativity. Every nook is spectacular. The hotel from the outside looks like any other heritage hotel of Rajasthan but the interior is what makes it unique. Rajasthani influence is pretty much detectable like open courtyards, jharokhas, and latticework to name a few.
If you have an inclination towards art and design, you cannot resist capturing pictures of every corner of the hotel and admiring the selection of each piece and the choices of colors. If there is one sentence that comes to my mind about the hotel it would be – “A Hue Heaven with oodles of Character & History”.
You can find photographs of his highness Narendra Singh Ji & his family life, his dogs, paintings, books, and belongings. The hotel does all the justice to give you a glimpse of the royal life of the late Maharaja of Bikaner.
The welcome at the hotel was pretty unusual, instead of a formal check-in at the lobby area, we were ushered to the adjacent room which used to be the living area of the king. It was a small yet cozy room with a burst of colors and mismatched artifacts that did not look clinical. That was followed by drinks and wet towels. Post that we all headed to our rooms.
• • • Rooms • • •
There are four categories of rooms at Narendra Bhawan. My room was quite spacious. It had a luxurious contemporary twist and was decorated with hues of black, white, and red exuberance that blended perfectly with the terrazzo floor and Portuguese tiles.
The room comes with a queen-size bed, colorful printed pillows, perfect lighting, a pouf, a work desk, and walls adorned with mirrors.
Be it the water bottle or extra paper napkins wrapped in pearl-studded holders. Every detail in the room has been taken care of. Every perfectly appointed room has to be complemented with an equally impressive bathroom.
The bathroom decor is complemented with a granite countertop, a fusion of marble and brass stand, and is equipped with top-notch products.
• • • Food • • •
More than pampering and interiors, food deserves a special mention. Everything that is served tastes so good that you cannot resist yourself wolfing down all the mouth-watering delicacies from the meticulously curated menu without a guilt.
Madhatter is perfect for sweet treats. If you have a sweet tooth and are craving for cakes, puddings or fudges then Madhatter is a place to be.
GoShala (cowshed) is the outdoor sitting area perfect for dinner, snacking or drinks.
Pearls & Chiffons – It is for the royal dining experience with beautiful traditional style sitting area and interiors.
Diwali Chowk is the central courtyard or a meeting place for all the guests you can say. Perfect for coffee or ordering quick snacks sitting at one of the sitting areas and admiring the beautiful hotel.
• • • Amenities • • •
The hotel also has a fully equipped gym to work on the food baby and a swimming pool to cool yourself, sipping a sundowner and taking in the Bikaner skyline.
• • • Curated Experiences • • •
Merchant Trail Experience
The merchant trail starts with weaving in and out of bylanes of Bikaner on a tonga ogling at the stunning Havelis and wrapping up the exploration with a Bikanari Jain Thali for lunch in a 19th century Haveli. The experience gives you an introduction to the rich history of Bikaner.
( Read: Merchant Trail with Narendra Bhawan, Bikaner )
Royal Exploration
The royal exploration curated by Narendra Bhawan Bikaner starts with a visit to Bikaji ki Tekri followed by Jain temple, Junagarh Fort, Royal Cenotaphs, and Lalgarh Museum, and ends up with a luxurious lunch at Laxmi Niwas Palace. The experience gives you a sneak peek of the Royal Life.
( Read: PhotoStory – Lal Garh Museum )
( Read: Sneak Peek of Laxmi Niwas Palace )
Private Dining
I do regret not being able to take a single good picture of the beautiful setup by the lake.
Pitch darkness punctuated by candle-lit setting as far as eyes could see. Chef dishing out dishes one after other with utmost perfection and taste on the point, under the twinkling stars is an experience you don’t want to miss for sure.
• • • Overall • • •
Stay at Bikaner is all about indulgence. The impeccable hospitality, chef leaving no stone unturned to take you on a gastronomical delight, interiors — a visual treat and painstakingly researched curated experience takes you to one of the chapters of history. It was a helluva relaxing vacation for sure with loads of pampering and free-flowing drinks 😉
Special Thanks to Siddharth for taking time out from his schedule and making sure we all had a good time at the property.
Must visit Places / Things to do in Bikaner:
- Junagarh Fort
- Jain Temple
- Sadul Singh Museum
- The Royal Cenotaphs
- Lalgarh Palace and Museum
- Karni Mata Temple ( Rat Temple)
- Havelis of Bikaner
- Shop for the famous Bikaner snacks
- Devour on sweets and local cuisine
- Shop for Minakari jewelry
- Get lost in the bylanes of Bikaner
You can find more information about the property and tariff on its official website.
How to reach Bikaner
By air – There are two airports nearby, Jodhpur and Jaipur.
By train – Bikaner is well-connected to major cities.
By road – The city is well-connected by buses to all major cities. From Jaipur, it takes around 5 hours to reach Bikaner.
Best time to visit Bikaner
Winter is the best time to visit Rajasthan. Plan your visit between October and March.
December and January are the best months for sure.
NOTE
If you do find our article useful in planning your trip, don’t forget to send a note/picture of your trip to us ( Email: thetalesofatraveler@gmail.com)
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram for more travel stories, ideas, and photos from around the world.
Join thousands of other readers by subscribing to our blog and get information about travel contest and giveaways in your mailbox.
Special Thanks to Narendra Bhawan Bikaner for hosting us, opinion as always is our own.
This hotel looks gorgeous! All of your photos look great (and I think the private dining ones still capture the fact it was very intimate).
http://thetatteredpassport.wordpress.com
Absolute opulence and luxury. Looks like a great property! Lovely pictures 🙂
Its a Royal Royal hotel & everything is pure luxury.
wow…! what a gorgeous location in Rajasthan, thank you for sharing the picture.
As always Swati, you write so beautifully about luxury hotel that one just feels like going immediately there to relax. A good compilation of must places to visit and Narendar Bhavan.. Loved your room which is so chic and the delicious food you had there 🙂 Great photos as always! Btw does the hotel have spa?
That kind of architecture is way far from the usual places I visit, but I feel it as a cuddling structure, where you can relax and forget everything on the outside. I especially like that sort of windows with the geometrical motif instead of windows glasses (sorry, I have no idea on how to call them!) because light can still come inside, but keeping a soft mood.
Wow, this hotel looks very luxurious! I think I could be pretty happy with that roof top pool, the gym, the beautiful rooms, etc…Also, love the private dining photos. That might be a new life goal for me 🙂
What an amazing experience it would have been to have stayed there! Just can’t get over the beauty of the hotel, not to mention all the fabulous attractions nearby that all go together to make what must be an unforgettable memory. This has to be at the top of my wishlist when I get to India.
Wow. Such royal. Such majestic. Such luxurious! Narendra Bhawan Bikaner is just so so beautiful. It’s amazing that you guys were ushered to a king’s living room before you were checked in and pampered with wet towels etc. Rajastan as a whole entity is just so majestic. Isn’t it? Vising India this October and I’m glad I found your blog!
How exciting to stay in a former King’s residence! That looks like a luxurious relaxing getaway, and beautiful architecture. Great video to capture the feel of the place.
Your pictures are amazing and the hotel looks so luxurious and relaxing! I love that it has history to it as well, you don’t find that much anymore! Hoping to visit India in the future!
This place really does seem like an unusual (but awesome!) place to stay. I’d love to get the chance to visit myself, it’s a perfect place for a photo shoot. I particularly loved the photo of what looks like a pool with an amazing view!
This hotel is like a dream. The Narendra Bhawan Bikaner absolutely stunning. It definitely looks like the home of a king. We would love to stay here and live like royalty. Thanks for highlighting this amazing hotel.
I’ve seen so many of your photos of the Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner and I had to check out your post! I would definitely stay here on any future trip to Bikaner, it must be like living as royalty. The food you photographed looks delicious and it’s good there are a few different locations to eat. The gym looks well equipped too, perfect!
Wow wow wow this place looks absolutely incredible!! So luxurious and plush! Your photos look so inviting and I bet it looks even more regal and majestic in real life. We are massive foodies and I have a sweet tooth so would definitely want to try the ‘Madhatter’ it all looks so delicious.
After having visited Rajasthan twice we are yet to make it to Bikaner. The palaces or Havelis of Rajasthan have a completely different charm exuding and the sumptuous artwork and architecture like impeccable. It’s definitely an experience of a lifetime to stay in such a location and experience all the luxury of the bygone royal era. We would for sure consider Narendra Bhawan on our visit to Bikaner. Thanks for this wonderful insight.
Wow, that is all I can say. It has to be one of the most visually stunning hotels I’ve ever seen. I love the architecture, the interior courtyard, and the fun and modern interior. I wouldn’t mind lounging by the pool, and sampling a wide array of regional Indian food. Sounds like an amazing way to spend a few days in India, that’s for sure!
I agree with you that I’d I never put my camera away during my stay! The architecture and decor look incredible! That pool with the palace as the backdrop is stunning. I’d love to stay in such a luxurious place and experience life as a royal. The food looks amazing, too. I’d definitely enjoy spending a few days here on a trip to India. 🙂
This place certainly looks very royal and luxurious. I would love spend days there with my family . I think it would be so much fun just like you had! thanks for sharing! Cheers!
It looks like a great area to stay in with many attractions around like the Jain Temple. The architecture of the hotel is incredible. I was impressed by the inside and how modern and stylish it is. It looks like you get well fed at the hotel as well.
So royal. Last time when I happened to visit Rajasthan, the only thing in my bucket list that I couldn’t do was to stay in a royal haveli like this one. Nevertheless, Bikaner is still on my list and the next time I visit here, I am definitely going to stay in one 🙂 Thanks for the virtual tour.
Narendra Bhawan truly looks to epitomize the royal spirit of Rajasthan. The ambience, the setting, the food and the service, all seem to echo the culture, heritage and the royal lineage of Rajasthan. I am sure staying here is a one of its kind experience.
The Narendra Bhawan Bikaner is a perfect example of Luxury living in line with the heritage and traditions of Rajasthan. I loved the way you had covered the whole palace in your pictures and words. The pool in the palace is really stunning. I will love to spend some time here with my husband.
Gorgeous holiday indeed. I envy you for having experienced this Royal flavor of Rajasthan. Such an amazing place… I bet you have to stop yourself from clicking it all
This is my kind of place! I love the luxury and the history and the cuisine sounds fantastic, too. It sounds as if it was a royal stay indeed. Bikaner sounds like an exotic and interesting destination.
Narendra Bhawan looks absolutely stunning! What a wonderful way to feel like royalty on a trip away 😉 The delicious food, the culture, the vibrant interiors and luxurious comforts, what more could you ask for? Plus! There are lots of cool things you’ve listed that are good to do here in case you want to venture out, so we have an awesome ready made list 🙂
The hotel is simply stunning and architecturally intriguing. Great pictures and it sounds like a fantastic holiday. What a great way to experience royal Bikaner living!
I love to read about luxury hotels in Bikaner. It seems that there are a lot of beautiful hotels there. When I visited I stayed at another really impressive hotel, a heritage building which belonged to the royals of Bikaner in the past. I love the typical Indian architecture blended with the modern one in your spacious room.
Wow, the lattice work is so amazing. I’m pretty sure I’d be taking non stop photos and trying to get all different kinds of angles lol! The outside courtyard and the pool area are my favorite areas, I’d love to spend the evenings there eating some of the yummy food.
What an incredible experience – surely Narendra Bhawan has to be one of the top hotels of the world! It looks decadent, and I guess you wouldn’t expect anything else being the former residence of a King! Love that they include curated experiences on top of their wonderful property, service and food 🙂
This is definitely my kind of place! What a stunning and unique property. I absolutely love the colors and that pool looks so inviting. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love boutique properties. There’s a charm that you do not find in large hotels. This place looks just out of the world and I love the attention to detail. You have captured the essence of the hotel beautifully.
Omg! This place looks totally awazing and I would love to stay here. There is so much charm and glamour to this place and would love to check this out soon,.
Wow, the Narendra Bhawan Bikaner is simply beautiful. I also adore the mix of modern and traditional, it’s the sort of place I would definitely stay, and the food looks perfection too
What a royal weekend indeed! It looks like a great place not only to stay, but also for photography- those colours!
Looks like you had an amazing time and got to experience so many wonderful things. That hotel looks amazing. What beautiful architecture!
What a beautiful hotel and that food looks amazing! I love the brightness that is everywhere!
What a beautiful property. I could imagine Humphrey Bogart cruising the grounds and smoking a cigar. The arches and architecture looks so beautifully foreign and iconic. I bet the food was absolutely amazing.
This place looks great! The pool and the view from there are amazing. I would love to stay there myself.
Everything about this is perfect! I am pinning this for future travels for sure — thank you for sharing it!
What a truly luxurious and wonderful hotel. I’d love to visit – it really does look special – and very traditional, despite the mod cons
It is hard not to feel royal in a place as luxurious and detailed and magnificent as this. I would love to stay in something like this, its awesome
Such gorgeous architecture. Great captures you got. You got a great place to stay.
Narendra Bhawan sure looks extremely elegant and opulent! Didn’t visit Bikaner on my last trip and thus would surely love to explore. Loved how your experience was so well curated!
Oh my gosh! The hotel looks absolutely stunning with all the beautiful architectural details! If I stay here, I probably won’t want to leave! Even the room looks so spacious and luxurious. If I ever visit India or Bikaner, this is highly on my list!
Wow, what a fantastic time you guys had! I love the architecture and the hotel itself seems to be really top top luxury. Glad you had an amazing time!
Your private dinner by the lake sounds amazing and I like the idea of the Merchant Trails experience too. Certainly makes me want to visit this hotel. It looks so stunning!
Oh wow. I thought I’d seen it all when it comes to luxury after my work has taken me to some amazing resorts/hotels in The Maldives, Dubai, and Africa – but this is something else entirely. I love how decadent and how authentic it all looks and sounds!
Someday!
Off late, I have heard so much about Narendra Bhawan. I have been to Bikaner but when I visited I did not know about this property. I am sure it would be an experience like no other.
At first glance, I thought I had stayed here before. But then I saw how luxurious and beautiful this hotel was on the inside! Now I think I just took a picture of it from the outside. Next time we’re in Jaipur, we will have to check out this hotel for sure!
This looks a stunning hotel, we really want to visit India soon and would love to stay in a hotel like this
Wow, now this really does look like the life of luxury! Certainly, this is a hotel that just oozes character and history while still being well equipped with all the modern amenities. The food in particularly looks incredible while its always reassuring to have a well furnished gym to get rid of those pounds afterwards!
Great set of photos. I remember the the typical Rajasthani hospitality and feeding us till we would burst and start all over again. Truly luxurious living.
Thar is indeed a luxurious place, love to indulge in that rooftop pool while watching the sunset and stunning views
This hotel is absolutely breath taking! I can’t get over the pink hues of the exterior! The whole experience sounds wonderful right from the very begining of your trip!
This is such a beautiful property! The curated experiences are such a great way to explore Bikaner! I would love to go on Royal Exploration to get a sneak peek of the royal life!
Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner does look like a luxurious place to stay- fit for a king for sure! There is such a variety of restaurants to enjoy and from your photos looks all so delicious. The merchant trail experience seems like an opportunity you wouldn’t want to pass up. Thanks for sharing.
This place looks amazing! The rooms are gorgeous and I really want to try the food. I was in Jaipur before and wish I had known about this place. Next time for sure!
This place really looks like heaven and a palace for queens and kings!! Totally in love with all the pictures! 🙂
Love this article. Totally motivated me to visit this place, Great tips indeed!
I will go to Bikaner just to eat the sev! The food looks awesome … Rajasthani food is delicious!
The jaalis look so classy … can imagine peeping through them … classic Hindi movie!
What an amazing hotel. It does look as if it has just come from a film set. Fabulous photography too
Narendra Bhavan in Bikaner is a royal retreat. Splendid decor with rich furnishings. Greetings with JAI JAI at the entrance feels like a king or queen. Thali looks like a royal treat. Your photographs of each and every part of palace looks like a virtual tour for us. Diwali chowk is a wonderful area.
This is a unique hotel. It is old-fashioned but beautiful and well-maintained. Your room is incredible. I wish that my bedroom is like that. It is huge. I like the pieces of furniture too. The foods look delicious. The GoShala and Diwali Chowk are perfect for lounging and having a wonderful dining experience too. I would like to visit this place someday and highly recommend this to my friends.
Narendra Bhavan Bikaner is the best place I have ever stayed. Flawless hospitality, smiling team, flawless execution and amazing service. The entire team of Narendra Bhavan Bikaner is dedicated to perfection.
Narendra Bhawan Bikaner is the best palace hotel in Bikaner. No words to explain, how beautiful the place is. Their services are like ornaments to the palace like property. Every corner is elegantly done and well thought that depicts the royalness and legacy of Bikaner.
Very nice and one of the best heritage hotels in Bikaner, king use to live here…amenities are too good,specially food. Outstanding place for chilling and family vacation. Although it was my business trip but would like to come here with family.
I visit Bikaner once every yearas it is my home town and i think it is a vert good place to see the cultures and palaces of kings and queens. It is a historical city. The city is well connected with railways, roadways and airport making it easier to access the city. The city is very safe as crime percentage in this city is very low. There are many hotels in the city but I prefer to stay at Narendra Bhawan Bikaner as it is th e best hotel in Bikaner.
This is the place where last king used to stay. Service will surely make you feel like king. Best hotel in Bikaner and is very stylish. Every corner there is some painting or show piece. Room size is very goodeven the lowest category. For me surprice was Gym the best in Rajasthan.
We stayed for one night at Narendra Bhawan Bikaner whilw passing through Bikaner. It is the best place to stay in Bikaner, charming but also quite modern. Staff were excellent, great dinner and breakfast. We stayed three nights there, and very much preferred this hotel. No issues, excellent food, excellent hotel with super attentive staff.
Narendra Bhawan Bikaner is a place, I would highly recommend. It is one of the best hotels in Bikaner Rajasthan, has style and atmosphere. Rooms are very clean and comfortable. Service is very friendly and helpful, one of the best I have ever had. Swimming pool is on the roof with a lovely view.