Narendra Bhawan, Bikaner: A Royal Sojourn

Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner is the former residence of His Highness Narendra Singhji, the last Maharaja of Bikaner and it tells his story in layers. Born into the twilight of monarchy and raised in the dawn of a new India, the Maharaja turned his gaze westward, eschewing the trappings of his regal inheritance for a life more eclectic, personal, and individualistic. His home became a vessel for this evolution and today, that home is a design-forward, independent hotel that pays homage not only to his royal lineage but also to the spirit of reinvention.

Living in the Prince Room

Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner features a total of 82 uniquely designed rooms and suites, offering a rich variety of styles and sizes to immerse guests in the legacy and aesthetic vision of H.H. Narendra Singhji. My stay was in one of the Prince Rooms, a space designed to reflect the Maharaja’s youthful exuberance as he stood at the threshold of modernity. The interiors channeled a charismatic blend of old-world regalia and new-age sophistication: velvet headboards, mosaic-tiled floors, glittering mirrored cabinets, and English floral prints all worked together to create a space that felt equal parts princely and playful. 

What sets Narendra Bhawan apart is that no two rooms are quite the same. The hotel encourages you to return to experience a new side of the story.

Stories in Every Corner

Narendra Bhawan is a museum of curiosities, reflecting the many worlds Narendra Singhji inhabited. The décor weaves in Art Deco influences from Bombay, Broadway glamour, and echoes of colonial travel. It’s a place where chiffon saris and pearl strings co-exist with velveteen furniture and vintage objets d’art. It is opulent, yes, but in a deeply personal, collected-over-a-lifetime kind of way.

Make sure to book yourself a massage at the spa.

Dining as Theatre

Every meal at Narendra Bhawan is a story ready to unfold. Here are a few experiences that stood out:

• P&C (Pearls & Chiffon): The main dining room is a tribute to the lady of the manor — her grace, her palate, her world. Think tiffin lunches, elegant wine pairings, and reimagined royal recipes, all served in a space that exudes timeless elegance.
• Mad Hatter – The Bake House: A whimsical space for those who, like me, are nostalgic about childhood treats surrounded by the aromas of fresh bakes and estate teas.
• Literary Food Pairing at P&C: A dinner where food meets fiction. Seven courses were paired with excerpts from classic novels — from Moby Dick to The Bell Jar — and each plate came with a story. It was immersive, thoughtful, and truly unforgettable.
• The Crescent Grill and Dinner: Set by the deep blue infinity pool on the rooftop, this al fresco experience celebrates Bikaner’s Mughal culinary heritage. 
• Museum Dinner at the Night Room: Here, the menu was recalibrated in honour of kings — every dish a time capsule, every bite rooted in historical culinary references. A sensorial journey through flavours past.
• Marwari Thali Experience: For a taste of the land, I indulged in a traditional Marwari Thali, rich with ghee, milk, buttermilk, and spice. The use of local ingredients and age-old techniques made this a deeply satisfying homage to Rajasthan’s rugged terroir.
• Gaushala Mornings & Evenings: This open-air courtyard, once home to the Maharaja’s beloved Raathi cows, now sets the stage for mornings with classical Hindustani music and evenings with cocktails and conversation. A fluid space that moves with the day.

‍‍

Beyond the Bhawan: Explorations and Immersions

Narendra Bhawan offers guests more than a luxurious stay — it opens a window into Bikaner’s 500-year-old story.

• Royal Explorations: I explored Lalgarh Palace, Sadul Museum, Laxmi Niwas Palace, and Devi Kund Sagar's cenotaphs. Each site is a reminder that Bikaner — once a rebellious offshoot of Jodhpur — carved its own identity through bold, visionary leadership.
• Merchant Explorations: A chaperoned walk through the old city revealed the red sandstone havelis of merchants who once prospered from trade routes linking Central and Western Asia. The walk ended with an exquisite meal at a grand merchant residence, blending architecture, commerce, and cuisine.

Make sure to stop by Girdharilal for Bikaneri bhujia, Chunilal Sherbet for rose and jasmine sherbets and Chotu Motu Joshi for ras gullas. 

The Legacy Lives On

Narendra Bhawan is a rare find — a hotel that doesn’t merely showcase history, but lives it, day after day. It’s bold in its storytelling, generous in its hospitality, and deeply intimate in its design. Every room, every meal, every artefact is part of a larger narrative — that of a Maharaja who dared to redefine royalty on his own terms.

‍

Double rooms start at Rs. 10,000++

Website

‍