A country with as colourful a history as India is always going to be awash with the jewels of the past, but it’s not often you find one that can accommodate you in grandeur at affordable prices. Shivavilas Palace, a hotel close to Hampi, in the state of Karnataka, is a great example of this.
The Raj-esque grandeur and antiquarian beauty make this a great option for those looking to visit Hampi but not necessarily rough it out.
Hampi – an amazing UNESCO heritage site – is a great place to visit but not always a great place to stay, with a major dearth of boutique hotels {and in fact any nice hotels at all!}.
Instead of staying in Hampi itself, it may be a better idea to get a room in Sandur, 40 kilometres {an hour’s drive} away, where you’ll find Shivavilas Palace and the lush, low hills of Bellary district. For an offbeat adventure, or simply a quick visit, this is definitely the best place to stay in the area: Access to Hampi’s amazing ruins is straightforward, and the hotel is a welcome refuge from the hippie hustle-and-bustle.
The former seat of the Sandur Royal family is, as you’d expect, a pretty spectacular building. In the billiards room you’ll find a full-size billiards table whilst outside you’ll struggle to resist the lovely swimming pool on a sweltering hot day. Those looking for an extra dose of luxury and relaxation will be pleased to know there’s a twin-room spa that opens out into a garden.
Plus, Wi-Fi across the property means you can Instagram and tweet your way through the stay, or check up on the cricket scores with ease.
The hotel boasts 12 air-conditioned rooms, of which the Maharani Suite is perhaps the pick of the bunch, closely followed by the Maharaja Suite, though the 10 Deluxe rooms are all comfortable and boast of huge bathrooms and dressing rooms.
You’ll find wonderfully comfortable chairs in the various lounge areas dotted across the palace, so there’s no shortage of comfortable spots to put your feet up, day or night.
Despite the grandeur of the rest of the hotel, including the dining room, the food is more low-key, but that just adds a certain authenticity to the ‘family home’ feel of the place. The modern kitchen focuses on simple, quality cooking. Breakfast comprises continental fare, whilst lunch and dinner options range from solid local specialities to a handful of Western dishes – pastas and salads, for example – included to cater to all tastes.
Room service is available but head to the dining room to socialise a little and further enjoy the ambience of the place.
Where: Shivavilas Palace Heritage Hotel, No. 97, Palace Road, Sandur, Karnataka
Contact: +91 8395260223/309/310, or write to shivavilaspalace@sandurgroup.com
Price: Starting at INR 9,087 including breakfast {deluxe rooms}. Get full rates here.