Palace
Laxmi Vilas Palace
Still the residence of Vadodara’s royal family, Laxmi Vilas was built in full-throttle 19th-century Indo-Saracenic flourish at a cost of Rs 6 million. Built over 500 acres, this is the largest private home built till date and four times the size of Buckingham Palace. The most impressive Raj-era palace in Gujarat, its elaborate interiors boast well-maintained mosaics, chandeliers and artworks, as well as a highly impressive collection of weaponry and art.
Vijay Vilas Palace
This weathered 1920s palace lies 7 km west of Mandvi, amid extensive orchards along a private beach. Originally a summer abode for the Kutch rulers, its first floor is now the main residence of the elderly Maharajah of Bhuj. The view from the roof is impressive and the rooms, with their stuffed wildlife and faded grand furniture, are worth a peek.
Nilambag Palace
In the hectic commercial and industrial city of Bhavnagar, Nilambag Palace Hotel comes as a pleasant juxtaposition with its cres of lush green lawns and beautiful foliage surround the imposing Khakhi stoned structure. Built in 1859 A.D., this relic of the past, home to the ruling Gohil dynasty of Bhavnagar, now stands as a Heritage Hotel.
Royal Oasis Wankaner
The word ‘Wankaner’ translates to ‘river bend’. The city was given the name due to its location on the Machchhu River. There a few places in the city that will interest the travellers. Of these, the Ranjit Palace on the Gadhio Hills is the most impressive. Built by the Jhala Rajputs it is a treat for those who like Venetian Gothic, Mughal and Rajput architectural styles. Built on 225 acres, it was built by Maharana Raj Shri Amar Singh Ji, the last ruler of the Wankaner royals, with a sweeping view of the town below.
Riverside Palace
Gondal was an 11-gun salute princely state covering an area of about 2,652 square kilometers. Founded in 1634 by Jadeja Rajputs, Gondal Princely State was modernized by Bhagvatsinhji from the 1869 – 1944. Bhagwatsinhji took great interest in education – Gondal became known for its public institutions and schools, and education of the girl child was free and compulsory. He also was the first to start a traveling dispensary and an asylum for the maintenance of the poor.
Khirasara Palace
The majestic monument of Khirasara which has witnessed the rich heritage and culture of the glorious past of Kathiawar, and has borne the brunt of centuries of history, now stands in its fullest splendor and glory, in the resplendent present.
The property is strategically located atop a hill, providing a 360-degree view of the breathtaking ambiance at different times of the day. The Khirasara Palace has a unique and incomparable history of more than 450 years to unveil. Towering 150 feet above the Khirasara village, it stands imposing, majestic and undefeated.
Orchard Palace
The Orchard Palace was built as an annex of the Huzoor Palace, the family residence, in the late-19th century to host personal guests of the Maharajas. Converted into a seven-room heritage hotel, it is appointed with the 1930s and ‘40s art deco furniture, antiques and handicrafts.
The property gets its name from the lime, chikoo and mango groves it faces to the rear. More than 80 peacocks and peahens inhabit the gardens, and a variety of other birds can be watched while walking around the grounds.
