Narendra Bhawan
Bikaner

A beguiling blend of regal nostalgia and contemporary flair, Narendra Bhawan is a richly imagined tribute to the life and legacy of Maharaja Narendra Singh of Bikaner, the hotel’s namesake and former resident. Part museum, part residence, part artful reinvention, this distinctive property offers a deeply personal window into India’s royal past, interpreted through bold design and modern sensibility.

Sister to Suryagarh in Jaisalmer and Mary Budden Estate in Binsar, Narendra Bhawan shares a philosophy of immersive hospitality and deep cultural resonance. Each property within this trio is unique in its setting, but all are bound by a common thread; an elegant reverence for heritage, expressed through highly curated design and storytelling.

Tucked away in a tranquil residential quarter at the heart of bustling Bikaner, the hotel has an intimate, boutique feel with just 82 rooms. Once a royal hospital, the building has been thoughtfully transformed. Inside, traditional Rajputana elements are playfully layered with Art Deco motifs, mid-century accents and sumptuous fabrics, creating a richly textured aesthetic that is both opulent and deeply inviting. Every room is a considered blend of heritage and modernity, outfitted with contemporary comforts and design details that nod to India’s cultural past.

From the moment you arrive, the hospitality is impeccable. The team at Narendra Bhawan are polished, intuitive and warm, attentive without being intrusive, with a hawk-like attention to detail that ensures each guest feels at home.

The culinary offering is just as considered. Pearls & Chiffon, the hotel’s elegant dining room, serves up European classics and Rajasthani favourites, whilst the bar, evoking a vintage smoking parlour from a bygone era, is ideal for an aperitif or a nightcap. On balmy evenings, guests can head to the terrace for cocktails under the stars, or take a dip in the rooftop infinity pool, with panoramic views sweeping across Bikaner’s old city and the modern sprawl beyond.

The in-house spa offers a curated menu of treatments designed to soothe and restore, ideal after a day exploring Bikaner’s historical gems. Just 4 km from the hotel lies Junagarh Fort, a formidable bastion of Rajput architecture built in the late 16th century by Raja Rai Singh, a trusted general in the Mughal army. Also not to be missed is the intricate Bhandasar Jain Temple, a riot of yellow sandstone carvings and vivid frescoes dating back to 1468. For those keen to uncover the soul of the city, the hotel can arrange a Merchant Trail, a guided walk through the labyrinthine alleys of the old bazaar, where Bikaner’s mercantile past lives on in spice shops, havelis and local lore.

Well connected to both Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, Narendra Bhawan and Bikaner make for a compelling detour from Rajasthan’s more well-trodden circuits, a deeply original experience, full of charm and storytelling. A true hidden gem, and one we’re thrilled to share.

I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.
George Bernard Shaw