Indian Hotels : Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur named Best Hotel in the World

21st January 2016, Mumbai:UmaidBhawan Palace, Jodhpur has been named as the Best Hotel in the World by the world's largest travel site, TripAdvisor, in their annual Travellers' Choice Awards. It is the first time that an Indian hotel has been named best in the world. UmaidBhawan Palace, Jodhpur also ranked high on the lists of Top 25 Hotels in Asia and India.

Perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur, UmaidBhawan Palace, the last of India's great palaces, was also one of the largest royal residences in the world when it opened its gilded doors in 1943. Designed by the well-known Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester, UmaidBhawan Palace is perhaps one of the largest and best-preserved showcases of the Art Deco style, built entirely in golden yellow sandstone.

This splendid palace has a private museum, its own post office and an elegant wood-paneled library. The palace also offers recreational facilities such as an indoor swimming pool, a billiards room, four tennis courts, two unique marble-floored squash courts and fifteen acres of gardens. Guests can stroll through the private museum, dine in the candlelit palace grounds or put their skills to the test on the marbled squash courts. Venturing out beyond the palace gates, visitors have the option to explore the city in a vintage car drive accompanied by their royal butler or go further afield to dine under the starry night sky in the Thar Desert.

Mr. Chinmai Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces said 'We are delighted that the majestic UmaidBhawan Palace, Jodhpur has been acknowledged as the Best Hotel in the World by TripAdvisor travelers. This is a special honor as UmaidBhawan Palace, Jodhpur is also the first Indian hotel to be a part of this coveted category. Some of our other iconic hotels like Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur; Rambagh Palace, Jaipur; Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences; Taj Cape Town and four others have also been recognized among the top hotels in the world. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces have represented the nobility of Indian hospitality for over a century and we remain grateful to our guests and our associates for this recognition.'

Celebrating this proud moment, Mr. Vincent Ramos, General Manager, UmaidBhawan Palace, Jodhpur, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces said, 'We are extremely proud to have been recognized as the best hotel in the world. Rajasthan's rich regal history is a completely unique experience for traveler's world over and we are proud to work with the royal families including those of His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh as custodians of these exceptional landmarks of our heritage. My colleagues and I value each and every guest's comments and endeavor to provide impeccable experiences with warmth and sincerity that the Taj is known for.'

Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India said, 'I remember visiting the UmaidBhawan as a younger person and being swept by the grandeur of the palace and its world class hospitality. It was a special place even then, and it's the World's most special hotel now - the No. 1 hotel in the world, sitting on top of a Travellers Choice 2016 list containing some very distinguished hotels around the globe. Hearty congratulations to the entire UmaidBhawan team and thanks to HH MaharajGajSinghji and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces for offering this magnificent gem of a hotel to the world.'

Other Taj hotels recognized across categories are Taj Lake Palace Udaipur; Rambagh Palace, Jaipur; The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai; Taj Exotica, Goa; Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Maldives; Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences; Taj Cape Town and Vivanta by Taj - Bentota, Sri Lanka.

About Trip Advisor

Trip Advisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 260 million unique monthly visitors, and over 150 million reviews and opinions covering more than 3.7 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The sites operate in 39 major countries worldwide. Winners of such excellence awards represent the discriminating and sophisticated echelon of businesses.

About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

Established in 1901, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia's largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 100 hotels in 62 locations across the globe, including presence in India, North America, United Kingdom, Africa, Middle East, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. From world-renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Grand Palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. For over a century, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, the iconic flagship has set a benchmark for fine living with exquisite refinement, inventiveness and warmth. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India's premier business house.

Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces:

Rakhee Lalvani | [phone] | [e-mail]

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