A grandly romantic and supremely elegant palace hotel nestled in the Aravalli hills, Samode is a true Rajasthani dream, the perfect combination of modern luxury and vast historical splendour.

The Palace, overlooking the picturesque village from which it takes its name, is one of the finest examples of mixed Rajput and Mughal styles. Imposing and inviting in equal measure, it has a commanding façade that gives way to an intricate network of passageways, stairways, courtyards and exquisitely decorated rooms that contain glorious frescoes and a sandstone serenity that’s the final word in understated class.

Unlike other forts and palaces in Rajasthan that have become muted and weary tourist attractions, Samode remains a vibrant, living place, providing the guest with the opportunity to really experience such an atmosphere much closer to the original grandeur, free to walk within halls and explore rooms such as the incredible sheesh mahal at their own pace and lesiure.

Once the almost exclusive preserve of foreign tourists, Samode has recently seen a sharp rise in domestic guests, and this is reflected in the lavish wedding parties that are now de rigueur, and the new fine dining resturant that serves modern Indian cuisine.

There are still all the traditional activities that one might expect on offer – camel and horse rides in the desert, sunrise ballooning, cooking classes in the local village, a visit to the nearby Bagh – yet the true majesty of your stay can be found in the simple pleasures: a sunset drink as the sandstone cools, a massage at the spa, a dip in one of the pools and a walk around the mazy grounds before luxuriating in the bathtub or private jacuzzi in your room and finally falling to a blissful sleep. We can’t recommend Samode Palace enough.