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Since
olden days, the Maharaos of Kotah (as Kota was formerly
called) had always lived in the medieval Fort inside the
city. Wanting a modern palace for his personal use, Maharaja
Umed Singh II settled for nothing but the best. He
commissioned Sir Swinton Jacob, a distinguished officer of
the Royal Engineers in the British Army, to design the
building. As expected, Umed Bhawan came up in 1905 in the
prevalent Indo-Sarcenic style. Plentiful supply of white
Khimach and Pink Sandstone from nearby quarries helped,
while Italian marble, among other things, had to be imported
for flooring.
Hotel Umed Bhawan Palace
There was
more to the impressive building apart from a peculiar clock
tower –Separate zenana (ladies') wing, Durbar Hall
(investiture room), Edwardian Drawing Room, Library,
Billiards Room, the Banquet Hall and even a cinema hall.
Every visiting dignitary, including Queen Mary, who visited
Kotah State in 1905, has been entertained at the Umed Bhawan.
In 1930, the
Palace was enlarged to provide accommodation for Maharaj
Kumar Bhim Singh and his bride. George Devon, the designer,
took great care to ensure that the new wing blended well
with the old. This part of Umed Bhawan remains a private
residence while the rest is operational as a Welcom Heritage
hotel
LOCATION :
Nearest Airport: Jaipur: 242 Km. Nearest Railhead:
Kota: 6 Km.
ACCOMODATION : 25 air-conditioned rooms including suites
with attached bath, hot and cold running water, colour TV in
each room, direct dial telephone and 24 hours room service.
FACILITIES :
Television with satellite channels
Bar
Telephone with direct dialling facilities
Running hot and cold water
Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisine
Credit cards and money exchange
Jogging trail, badminton court, croquet, carom and chess
Conference and banquet facilities
Doctor on call
ADDRESS : Kota Rajasthan |