Nilambag Palace Hotel

Gujarat & Diu


Set in stately gardens with a retinue of peacocks, this former maharaja’s palace dating from 1859 is now a wildly atmospheric heritage hotel. The lobby looks like an understated regal living room, with a beautiful mosaic floor and grand portraits adorning the walls. The sizeable palace rooms retain a dusty and faded early-20th-century feel; the ‘cottage’ rooms are mediocre.

Look out for stuffed heads of various animals, including a cheetah (the maharaja used to have a pet cheetah). Guests have use of a circular swimming pool (nonguests pay ₹100) in the Vijay Mahal in the extensive grounds, plus there's a gym and tennis facilities.

It's located beside the Ahmedabad road, 600m southwest of the bus station.