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Taj Lake Palace Udaipur No 1 among Indian heritage hotels: TripAdvisor

Rajasthan retains top position as undisputed heritage state with 12 best heritage properties.

India’s rich cultural heritage is a big draw for avid travellers from across the world and as such the heritage hotels in the country attract large numbers of visitors annually.

TripAdvisor’s has named top 25 heritage properties in India in its 2013 Travellers? Choice Awards for Heritage Hotels, based on millions of reviews and opinions of travellers. While Rajasthan retains its position as the undisputed heritage state with 12 out of the 25 best heritage properties from the state, this year also marks the entry of Sikkim and West Bengal in the coveted list.

Following are the top ten heritage hotels in the country:

1. Taj Lake Palace Udaipur, Rajasthan

2. Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur, Rajasthan

3. Taj Rambagh Hotel, Rajasthan

4. The Taj Mahal Palace, Maharashtra

5. Ratan Vilas, Rajasthan

6. The Oberoi Grand, West Bengal

7. Chapslee, Himachal Pradesh

8. Samode Palace, Rajasthan

9. Vivanta by Taj, Kumarakom, Kerala

10. Netuk House Hotel, Sikkim

Photos: Top five heritage hotels in India

The top 25 heritage properties, some of which are over 100 years old and have been carefully restored to former glory, play an important role in providing the experience of distinctive cultural milieu of various regions across India.

The oldest Indian heritage properties in the list include:

* Samode Palace, Rajasthan (over 475 years? old, Rank 8) ? A splendid example of regal Indo-Saracenic architecture, the palace combines the best of Indian and Mughal styles.

* Jai Mahal Palace, Rajasthan (over 250 years? old, Rank 23) ? Set amidst 18 acres of beautifully landscaped Moghul Gardens, this incomparable palace dates back to 1745 A.D. A masterpiece in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, it blends spotlight-grabbing opulence with tantalising comforts that transport guests to a world of Rajasthan magnificence.

* Samode Haveli, Rajasthan (over 175 years’ old, Rank 20) ? Built by Rawal Sheo Singhji as a manor house for the royal family. It reflects the style and elegance of the family, and the art and architecture of the times and culture, all of which have been impressively restored today.

* Oberoi Grand, West Bengal (over 125 years? old, Rank 6) ? Fondly referred as the ?Grande Dame of Chowringhee?, it offers the ultimate classical residence in the City of Joy. This heritage hotel?s neo-classical facade and grand-pillared entrance mark a successful fusion of classical Victorian and traditional Indian style, and reflect the city?s colonial history. Standing stately for over 125 years, the Oberoi Grand combines classic architecture and charm with state of the art amenities and facilities.

* Taj Mahal Hotel, Maharashtra (over 110 years? old, Rank 4) ? It reflects the perfect blend of Moorish, Oriental and Florentine architectural styles. With its classic grandeur and elegance, it also gives the guests panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the Gateway of India.

Speaking about the importance of these awards, Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India said, ?TripAdvisor awards for heritage hotels are conferred to the most popular heritage properties in the country. These awards are very special since they honour hotels that not only have preserved the architectural legacy but are an embodiment of Indian tradition and ethos.?

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First published on: 31-10-2013 at 13:08 IST
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