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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a haveli and a palace hotel?
Scale and origin, mainly — a haveli was a private mansion, generally smaller and more intimate, while a palace was a royal residence built for grander public function. Havelis also tend to sit inside a city's old walled quarter rather than on its own grounds.
Are Samode Haveli and RAAS Jodhpur available outside the Royal Rajasthan Circuit?
They are contracted specifically for that package; ask us if you'd like them considered for a different itinerary and we will check availability.
Is an old-city haveli harder to reach by car?
Sometimes — old-city lanes can be narrow, and the last stretch to some havelis is on foot. We factor this into transfer planning rather than leaving you to work it out.
Where is the best place to experience it?
Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer all have strong haveli-hotel options in their old cities; the category also exists in parts of Delhi, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu's Chettinad region.
About Heritage havelis
Heritage havelis are restored merchant or noble mansions, generally smaller and more intimate than a palace hotel, often set inside a city's old walled quarter. Samode Haveli in Jaipur and RAAS Jodhpur — both named stays on our Royal Rajasthan Circuit — are well-regarded examples of the category done well.
Reviewed by Experience My India Editorial Team · Updated 1 Sept 2026
What a heritage haveli actually is
A haveli was originally a private mansion, usually merchant or noble family-owned, built around one or more internal courtyards for privacy and airflow. As hotels, they tend to be smaller-scale and more intimate than a palace hotel, and are often located inside a city's old walled quarter, putting you within walking distance of bazaars and monuments rather than in a modern hotel district.
What to expect
- A central courtyard, often used for dining or evening seating
- Fewer rooms than a large hotel, generally a more personal level of service
- An old-city location, which means atmosphere but sometimes narrower access roads
- Varying degrees of modernisation behind original facades
Samode Haveli, Jaipur
5-star heritage · 2 km from City Palace, inside the walled city. The named Jaipur stay on our Royal Rajasthan Circuit.
RAAS Jodhpur
5-star heritage · 400 m from the Mehrangarh Fort gate, old city. The named Jodhpur stay on our Royal Rajasthan Circuit.
Where to find them
Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer all have strong haveli-hotel options in their old cities; the category also exists in parts of Delhi, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu's Chettinad region.
Plan a trip
Tailor-made quote from a specialist