Sink into luxury at the refurbished palace of Sandur’s royal family, located just an hour’s drive away from Hampi’s boulders.

The Raj-esque grandeur of this heritage hotel starts right from the long driveway that curves into the high-roofed porch of Shivavilas, and extends to each nook and cranny of the Ghorpade family home.

The decidedly vintage vibe of the palace cannot be ignored; every curio and corner promising a story. Our favourite spots include the bar and billiard room where an original full-size John Roberts & Co. billiards and snooker table stands in its full regal aura. Taxidermied animals of all shapes and sizes hang on the walls but one soon gets accustomed to the extra company.

If you can keep yourself from jumping into the squeaky clean pool first thing in the morning, wait for the royal musicians to crank up the daily invocation at the in-house Kumaraswamy temple. Those who like to sleep in late might want to yank the windows shut for improved soundproofing!

The most significant draw of Shivavilas Palace lies in the proximity to Hampi’s ruins, Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary and the opportunity to visit Lambani (nomadic) craftswomen and, if you must, smugly boast that your friends wouldn’t have heard of this place.

Relax, unwind and indulge in the extremely attentive hospitality, with sunny afternoons on the hotel’s verandahs from where you can spot sculptures of monitor lizards on pillars (that’s a story right there).