In a Rajasthani village 90 minutes from Jaipur lies Talabgaon Castle, still proudly owned and run by the family that has inhabited it for over 250 years. Elegant modernity makes for a positively pleasant stay, but is charmingly outdone by the castle’s warm welcome and rich tradition.

It’s taken Dileep and Dalpat Singh years of hardwork to renovate this family-owned castle, and a day here will convince visitors it was well worth it. This isn’t just a heritage property; for the Singh brothers, it is their heritage.

The palace retains its original structure, with courtyards, watchtowers, balconies, jharokhas, an odd pond or two, and expansive green lawns through which multiple species of birds (peacocks included) freely weave their way.

While the rooms are thoroughly updated with modern amenities, much of the castle décor shows off traditional Rajasthani splendour. The mosaic patterns on the marble-inlay floors lay the foundation, the carved design on windows and balconies display a bit of decadence. Magnificent glass chandeliers and light fixtures play around with shadow and light, and colourful life-size puppets in bright fabric retain an ethnicity that the team at Talabgaon hold dear to their heart.

The service staff are the foot soldiers who keep the hotel ticking; usually busy but always with some time to spare for even the smallest request. There tends to be one certain lad assigned to a group, making it his personal mission to know how you like your morning tea and your evening drink.