Deciding where to stay in Rajasthan is one of the most rewarding parts of planning a trip because accommodation in Rajasthan is not merely a place to sleep but often a highlight of the journey in its own right. This is a state where you can sleep in a palace that once housed a maharaja, in a converted haveli in the heart of a blue-painted old city, in a tented camp among the desert dunes, or in a lakeside room looking across the water to a floating marble palace. This guide covers the best areas to stay in each major city, the types of accommodation available, and how to choose the right stays for your trip.
For the finest heritage options specifically, see our heritage hotels in Rajasthan guide, and for trip planning, our Rajasthan travel guide.
Where to stay in Jaipur
Jaipur offers the widest range of accommodation in Rajasthan, and where you stay shapes your experience of the city.
The old city (Pink City) puts you within reach of the main bazaars, the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and Jantar Mantar, ideal for those who want to be in the heart of the action. The Civil Lines and C-Scheme areas offer a quieter, more upmarket setting with many of the city’s boutique hotels and converted havelis. For a truly royal experience, Jaipur is home to some of the most famous palace hotels in India, former royal residences now operating as luxury properties. Areas near Amber offer heritage stays with fort views. Our Jaipur travel guide covers the city fully.
Where to stay in Udaipur
Udaipur is defined by its lakes, and the most memorable places to stay make the most of the water.
Around Lake Pichola is the prime location, with heritage havelis and hotels offering rooms and rooftops overlooking the lake, the City Palace, and the floating Lake Palace. The old city, with its narrow lanes leading down to the ghats, offers atmospheric boutique stays within walking distance of the main sights. For the ultimate experience, Udaipur is home to some of the most romantic luxury lake and palace hotels in the world, including properties on islands in the lake itself. Our Udaipur travel guide covers the city in detail.
Where to stay in Jodhpur
Jodhpur’s most atmospheric stays are found in the old city (the Blue City), in the maze of blue-painted lanes below Mehrangarh Fort, where converted havelis offer rooftop views of the floodlit fortress at night, one of the great sights of Rajasthan. Staying here places you within the living heart of the blue city.
For a grander experience, Jodhpur is home to one of the world’s largest private residences, part of which operates as a legendary palace hotel, offering the ultimate in royal accommodation. The area around the fort and the clock tower is the best base for exploring on foot. Our Jodhpur travel guide covers the city fully.
Where to stay in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer offers a genuinely unique accommodation choice: staying inside the living fort, within the walls of the golden Sonar Quila, where converted havelis operate as atmospheric guesthouses and hotels. This places you within one of the very few inhabited forts in the world. (Note that there are ongoing conservation considerations around accommodation inside the fort, which a responsible operator can advise on.)
The other essential Jaisalmer experience is a night at a desert camp near the Sam Sand Dunes, ranging from simple tented camps to luxurious desert resorts, where you sleep among the dunes with folk music, a bonfire, and a sky full of stars. Most itineraries combine a night in or near the fort with a night in the desert. Our Jaisalmer travel guide covers the options in detail.
Where to stay in Pushkar
Pushkar’s accommodation ranges from backpacker guesthouses to boutique heritage properties and desert-edge resorts. Staying near the lake and the ghats places you in the spiritual heart of the town, within walking distance of the temples and the main bazaar. During the Pushkar Camel Fair in November, special tented camps are set up on the town’s outskirts, offering a memorable (if busy) way to experience the fair. Our Pushkar travel guide covers the town.
Types of accommodation in Rajasthan
Heritage Palace Hotels are Rajasthan’s signature accommodation: former royal palaces converted into luxury hotels that offer the experience of living as royalty once did. These are among the finest hotels in the world and a central part of what makes Rajasthan special. Our heritage hotels in Rajasthan guide covers the finest.
Converted havelis are restored merchant and noble mansions, often family-run, offering genuine heritage character at more accessible prices than the grand palace hotels. These are among the best-value ways to experience Rajasthan’s heritage.
Desert camps near Jaisalmer (and Bikaner) offer tented accommodation among the dunes, from simple to luxurious, combined with camel safaris, folk performances, and bonfire dinners.
Boutique hotels in every city offer stylish, comfortable stays that blend heritage character with modern amenities.
Budget guesthouses and hostels are widely available in every city, particularly in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Pushkar, offering clean, affordable accommodation with a strong backpacker infrastructure.
Tips for choosing where to stay in Rajasthan
Stay in at least one heritage property. Even if most of your trip uses comfortable mid-range hotels, including at least one night in a converted palace or haveli is one of the defining experiences of a Rajasthan trip.
Prioritise location within each city. Staying in the old city or near the main sights (rather than on the outskirts) puts you within walking distance of the atmosphere and reduces transport time.
Build in a desert night. A night at a desert camp near Jaisalmer is one of the highlights of any Rajasthan trip and should be planned rather than treated as optional.
Book early for peak season. The best heritage properties, particularly in Udaipur and Jaisalmer, book out two to three months ahead during the October to March peak season.
Choose rooftop or lake-view rooms where available. In Jodhpur (fort views) and Udaipur (lake views), a room or rooftop with a view is worth the premium for the memories it creates.
Plan your Rajasthan stays with us
At Immersive Trips, we match travellers to the right stays for the right reasons, whether that means a legendary palace hotel, a characterful family-run haveli, or a luxurious desert camp under the stars. We handle the balance of location, character, and comfort across your whole itinerary. Get in touch with our team to plan your Rajasthan stays.
Frequently asked questions about where to stay in Rajasthan
Should I stay in a heritage hotel in Rajasthan?
Yes, at least once. Staying in a converted palace or haveli is one of the defining experiences of a Rajasthan trip, offering a genuine sense of the state’s royal heritage. Heritage character is available across the price spectrum, from affordable family-run havelis to legendary luxury palace hotels, so even mid-range travellers can enjoy a heritage stay.
Where is the best area to stay in Jaipur?
The old city (Pink City) is best for being near the main bazaars and sights. The Civil Lines and C-Scheme areas offer quieter, more upmarket boutique stays. For a royal experience, Jaipur’s famous palace hotels offer the ultimate luxury. The right choice depends on whether you prioritise atmosphere, quiet, or grandeur.
Is it worth staying inside Jaisalmer Fort?
Staying inside the living Jaisalmer Fort offers a genuinely unique experience, placing you within one of the few inhabited forts in the world. However, there are ongoing conservation considerations around accommodation inside the fort, so many responsible travellers choose atmospheric havelis just outside the walls instead. A good operator can advise on the most responsible choice.
Should I stay in a desert camp near Jaisalmer?
Yes. A night at a desert camp near the Sam Sand Dunes is one of the highlights of a Rajasthan trip, combining camel safaris, folk music, a bonfire dinner, and a sky full of stars. Camps range from simple tented options to luxurious desert resorts, so there is a choice to suit every budget and comfort level.
Where should I stay in Udaipur for the best lake views?
Staying around Lake Pichola, in a heritage haveli or hotel with rooms or a rooftop overlooking the lake, offers the best views of the water, the City Palace, and the floating Lake Palace. The old city lanes leading down to the ghats also offer atmospheric boutique stays within walking distance of the lake.
What is the best area to stay in Jodhpur?
The old city (Blue City), in the blue-painted lanes below Mehrangarh Fort, offers the most atmospheric stays, with converted havelis providing rooftop views of the floodlit fort at night. This places you within walking distance of the old city sights and the clock tower market.
Are there good budget accommodation options in Rajasthan?
Yes. Rajasthan has a strong budget and backpacker infrastructure, with clean, affordable guesthouses and hostels widely available in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Pushkar. Many budget properties still offer genuine character, such as rooftop views or heritage settings, at low prices.
How far in advance should I book accommodation in Rajasthan?
For the peak season (October to March), booking two to three months in advance is recommended, particularly for the best heritage properties in Udaipur and Jaisalmer, which fill early. The Christmas to New Year period and major festival dates require even earlier booking.
What is a haveli, and is it a good place to stay?
A haveli is a traditional restored merchant or noble mansion, often family-run and converted into a heritage hotel. Havelis offer genuine heritage character (courtyards, carved balconies, rooftop terraces) at more accessible prices than the grand palace hotels, making them among the best-value heritage stays in Rajasthan.
Can I mix luxury and budget accommodation on a Rajasthan trip?
Yes, and many travellers do. Splurging on one or two special heritage or palace properties while using comfortable mid-range hotels or havelis elsewhere gives a taste of Rajasthan’s finest accommodation without the cost of a fully luxury trip. This mixed approach offers an excellent balance of experience and value.