Elite Traveler Winter 2020

R EST OF THE WOR LD

Sujan Rajmahal Palace, Maharaja’s Suite JAIPUR, INDIA

The beloved Sujan Rajmahal Palace is still a royal residence for the Maharaja of Jaipur. The boutique hotel has just 13 guest rooms and has had many royal visitors (including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip). Each room has custom wallpapers that tell the many tales of Jaipur. For a true royal experience, book the Maharaja’s Suite; it was the private residence for two successive Maharajas. The 2,480-sq-ft suite has a huge master bedroom, living roomwith separate bar and drawing room, eight-person dining room, private courtyard and private entrance. Original portraits of the Maharaja adorn the walls, and the vibrant decor is a joyous and eclectic contrast of fabrics and patterns. Samantha Coles Best feature Large private terrace overlooking the royal gardens From$15,100 per night. Contact DevikaManocha, operations manager, reservations@sujanluxury.com, +91 114 617 2700, sujanluxury.com

Taj Lake Palace Udaipur, Shambhu Prakash Presidential Suite UDAIPUR, INDIA The magic of this hotel begins before you even step foot inside: The marble-white facade appears to float right in the middle of Lake Pichola, and is accessed by gliding across the tranquil waters by boat. Formerly the residence of the Indian royal family, the hotel was built in 1743 by the royal dynasty of Mewar; it still retains some of the original features. The Shambhu Prakash Presidential Suite — named after the Maharana Shambhu Singh, who is highly regarded for his progressive reforms in the country — is regal and unashamedly decadent, with plush velvet and gilded accents. The resplendent one-bedroom suite spans 1,730 sq ft and has 24-hour butler service. The views from the balcony are spellbinding. Samantha Coles Best feature Decadent interiors From $15,000 per night. Contact Vinayak Kumar, director of sales, vinayak.kumar@tajhotels.com, +91 294 242 8800, tajhotels.com

Oberoi Udaivilas, The Kohinoor Suite UDAIPUR, INDIA When a suite is named after one of the largest cut diamonds in the world that has passed through Indian courts and is part of the British Crown Jewels, you can expect a certain level of grandeur, and the Kohinoor Suite delivers just that. Think gold-domed ceilings, sumptuous Indian fabrics and silks, and hand-carved marble. There is a grandiose master bedroom and twin bedroom, grand dining room, living room and a private pool. Guests of the suite have 24-hour butler and laundry services. Samantha Coles Best feature Views of Lake Pichola and the City Palace From $15,440 per night. Contact Vishal Pathak, general manager, vishal.pathak@oberoihotels.com, +91 562 223 1515, oberoihotels.com

Villa North Island, North Island SEYCHELLES

North Island is outstanding but it does have one major flaw: Your heart might just break when you have to leave. The private island can be reached from Mahé by sea or by air, and when the small granitic island comes into view it is a truly spectacular sight: lush vegetation, lapping azure waters, pearly white sand and a warm beachfront greeting from the dedicated-but-not- intrusive staff. Villa North Island is at the far end of the stretch of sand known as East Beach and sits on top of huge granite boulders, enveloped by coconut groves. The 8,000-sq-ft villa has a master bedroom, huge bathroom with a sunken bathtub, and an expansive wooden deck with a hot tub. There’s a large, lush lawn — you’ll likely wake up to one of the resident giant Aldabra tortoises munching on the grass. Samantha Coles Best feature Direct access to East Beach down the wooden stairs From $8,000 per night. Contact Jonathan Lithgow, general manager, reservations@north-island.com, +27 610 890 462, north-island.com

Photos Nacasa & Partners