Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 1630 July 2016 11 11 N othing is as tantalising as watching a good movie set in a beautiful place. So it’s no surprise that fans of the two Best Exotic Marigold Hotel films are busy seeking out screen locations and romantic hotels around India. Rajasthan, which means land of the rajas or kings, is where many of the maharajahs’ grand residences have been turned into luxury hotels. There are many Indian palace hotels — some are restored while others are decaying ruins. Umaid Bhawan, the 14th-century domed and turreted palace, which overlooks the desert city of Jodhpur, is one of the most impressive. Built of luminescent pink desert sandstone that turns to gold at sunrise and sunset, it perches on Chittar Hill, overlooking the “blue” city and spectacular Mehrangarh Fort. The last of the great palaces of princely India, Umaid Bhawan is surrounded by 10 hectares of lush gardens. The 347-room palace still serves as the principal residence of the Maharajah of Jodhpur, who lives in one wing. The royal treatment starts on arrival. I receive an unforgettable welcome — royal courtiers in traditional red turbans hold up a red tent canopy while I walk the red carpet beneath. As I enter the sandstone foyer, sari-clad hostesses bearing brass platters throw rose and marigold petals at my feet and anoint me my forehead with a red dot, a tilak, a mark of auspiciousness. I freshen up with a lime juice in the Trophy Bar, surrounded by tigers, elephant tusks and old hunting photos of the maharajahs. Later I catch a glimpse of the current maharajah descending the main staircase of golden stone. Little wonder movie star Liz Hurley chose this palace for her lavish over-the-top Bollywood-style wedding in 2006. My next stop is Udaipur, four hours away, where a turbaned moustachioed chauffeur awaits with a Rolls Royce to whisk me to the lake’s edge. From there, a boat ferries me across to the 18th‑century Lake Palace that floats like a mirage in the middle of Lake Pichola. If you’re lucky you’ll catch a glimpse of the maharajah Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad India Karen Halabi enjoys the royal treatment at India’s exotic palace hotels. The magnificent view from Brijrama Palace in Varanasi Umaid Bhawan overlooks the city of Jodhpur