Our five week Indian Adventure obviously required many nights accommodation. We stayed in 3 to 5 star hotels all with local flavour, except , the Radisson Hotel . Our only detour from India on our trip was to Kathmandu, Nepal. While the room there was most comfortable, you could have been in any North American city. Well what's in that? Why venture away from home only to stay at home? You have to get a feel for the local culture. So that is where the Heritage Hotels come in.
What are Heritage Hotels?
My definition is they are former residences of Royalty. They are generally large structures on generous properties. They are former palaces, forts, mansions or private clubs, such as sporting clubs. Places for kings, queens, maharajahs and the like. In other words, for people with more money than I will ever know.
They provide a unique and distinctive experience for historical and/or locale value. Sometimes located in remote very picturesque surroundings ("Hill Top" in Kesroli a prime example) or in the central urban confines of the city ("Alsisar Haveli" in Jaipur). By the way a city in India ranges from populations of 50,000 to 19,000,000. Yes 19 million. So when one drives into the smaller city it is akin (or relative) to driving into a town in Canada.
Heritage Hotel service is friendly and helpful. Language never an issue. Their motto reportedly is:
"ATITHI DEVO BHAVA".....Roughly translated....Treat your guest as if they were God.
All in all I would recommend, that is if you don't want the experience of a Holiday Inn. Oh and Yes....Heritage Hotels do have indoor facilities, so forget the idea that it's right to squat. It's only right.. what you make of your experience. The pictures that follow try and capture just some of the Heritage Hotel ambience that you may enjoy.
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