The Darbar Mahal Suite of the Raj Palace Hotel was recently voted as "Asia's Leading Suite" by World Travel Awards (WTA) at a ceremony in Shanghai on June 19, 2008. The world travel awards are the most prestigious awards in the global travel industry, with around 167,000 travel professionals including 110,000 travel agents from over 190 countries having participated in the voting process this year.
As well known, Raj Palace is an almost 300-year-old Rajput palace which has been restored and converted to a heritage hotel by combining the glorious heritage of the historic royalty and the modern luxury facilities of today. The result is an opportunity of being transported back in time to experience the lifestyle of a bygone romantic royal era.
The Durbar Hall or Durbar Mahal Suite is one of many distinct suites in the hotel. This Suite was used by the Kings as their private quarters and its main features are a high-ceilinged reception room with apartments which overlook the inner courts of the palace and also the gardens. It is decorated with gilded walls, stucco and mirror work; with furniture in gold and silver. The Suite also has a private museum display of the Old Throne of the old kings. These luxuries come at the rate of 5000 US dollars per night, with off-season rates falling to about half.
Other suites on offer at the Raj Palace are the Standard Room (375 US$), Heritage Room (500 US$), Historical Suite (750 US$), Prestige Suite (1250 US$), Jhanki Mahal Palace Suite (5000 US$), Maharajah's Pavilion Presidential Suite (15000 US$) and there is also an upcoming suite called Shahi Mahal Suite (starting Oct'09) at a whopping price of 40000 US$!!. The rates given here are approximate converts and of course, the offseason rates may be a third or even half of the full rates. So it is best to check out the current actual rates at their website: www.rajpalace.com
The Raj Palace has also won several other awards in recent times such as the World's Leading Heritage Hotel 2007-2008 by World Travel Awards, Best Heritage Hotel in India for 2006-2007 by India's National Tourism Awards and it was also the winner of the 32nd International Award of Hotel, Catering and Tourism in 2007.