This is my 3rd visit to Deogarh Mahal, over 7 years and it is my favourite place in all India. The Mahal is a fairy tale confection where you are welcomed with a drum roll and a shower of marigold and rose petals! Rooms are all individual - beautiful and quirky - and very well equipped with hot water bottles and kettles and pool robes etc. You can wander for hours around the place including the roof tops, with fabulous views over the small town and surrounding countryside. The current maharajah and his family have imaginatively created lots of activities including a great audio walk of the property which gives you a fascinating insight into the history of the place. We also took the train ride, and this included a very knowledgeable local guide who took us on a nature walk through the countryside before the train arrived. The food was also delicious, both breakfast, and in the a la carte restaurant - try the tamatar and dhainya shorba - it's to die for! Staff are great, friendly, and helpful. And the people of Deogarh are friendly without being hassly. I wouldn;t hesitate to recommend this to anyone and in fact if I come back again to India, this would be the place to head for, to do all the things I didn't do this time.

This restored palace is what you dream of when you think of Rajasthan. The architecture is breathtaking (the audio tour is worth taking to hear the story of how the royal family restored it), our room had a huge bathroom and lovely veranda, and the views of the quiet surrounding town from numerous points around the property were terrific. The food was excellent (our plan included all meals and since there are zero restaurants in the area, it's a good idea to do this). From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel like visiting royalty. There are probably only 2 days' worth of activities but if you're looking for a relaxing place to stay, take your time here. The highlight of our stay was a jeep tour called the "rural ramble," made especially memorable by the smart and charming guide Vikram. We were also delighted to meet 3 generations of the royal family who joined guests for the cocktail hour (which includes a nightly dance show). The gift shop on the property is excellent, particularly the art. The surrounding village couldn't be friendlier and the air quality was so much better than much of India. We chose the hotel as a midpoint between Jaipur and Udaipur, but we'd go out of our way to return. We hope to check out their other properties on our next visit.

This hotel was a wonderful surprise to us. As far as we were concerned, it was an overnight stay
between Udaipur and Jaipur but it turned out to be the most enjoyable stay of our whole 3 week holiday. The hotel is a palace and part of a group of heritage hotels we'd stayed in throughout our trip but this one was something special. The surrounding village is interesting and, unlike most of our experiences in India, we had very little hassle from the stallholders and the hotel itself arranges many different itineraries if you want something more to do than just wander. We had a very good meal, attentive staff and even entertainment in the form of local folk dancing, all laid on by the hotel at no extra charge. If, as us, you are arranging your own itinerary, make sure your tour operator includes this break in an otherwise busy holiday. The other thing about the hotel is that it takes its staff from the surrounding villages, therefore supplying employment in a vert poor part of India

We stayed 3 enchanting nights at Deogarh Mahal in mid December. The weather was perfect, and the setting gorgeous. Though our pick up from Udaipur airport was a little delayed, the 3 hour journey to the hotel was interesting. The staff is courteous and many of them are very knowledgeable, having lived in Deogarh almost all their lives. The royal family is hospitable and are there to receive and mingle with the guests.
Our suite was at the head of a flight of stairs, and tended to be very noisy. The staff clattering up and down the stairs in the wee hours of the morning ensured we woke up with the birds!
The rooms were well appointed, clean and comfortable. The food was delicious, distinctly rajasthani yet not too spicy or oily. A very home cooked feel.
Lots of places to visit within a 200 km radius or just right to relax with a book on their many terraces and balconies.
The audio tour detailing the history of the palace and the Chundawats was fascinating.
A must visit in Rajasthan.