India's New Palace Hotel

Located 205 miles (a little more than a five-hour drive) northwest of the state capital, Jaipur, the spectacular desert city of Bikaner lies off Rajasthan’s well-trodden tourist track. A modest increase in the number of visitors may be expected, however, thanks to the debut of Narendra Bhawan, an exquisite pink-sandstone palace, formerly the home of the last ruling prince of Bikaner and now a recently converted 82-room hotel. The atmospheric building surrounds a stunning inner courtyard; custom-made contemporary furniture is complemented by Victorian and art deco pieces that belonged to the last maharaja, while from the rooftop pool terrace there are unforgettable panoramic views across the city.