After a hectic day of driving, we reached Rajkot. After the long drive, we reached Heritage Khirasara Palace. It looked very beautiful from a distance. As we entered the gate, we were welcomed very warmly by authorities by a tilak on the head. As I entered further, a never before experience awaited me. I was showered with rose petals! I have travelled a lot be it domestic or International, but this type of welcome is unparalleled. It was indeed a warm welcome!

Khirasara Palace Rajkot

Ambiance of Hotel Heritage Khirasara Palace, Rajkot

Entrance of Heritage Khirasara Palace

There was a big open space after the entrance.

Open Area

To the right and front of the open space was a big lawn.

Big lawns

To the left were rooms followed by coffee shop, restaurant, a small temple in the building and in lawn. Restaurant also had open air setting.

My room too was designed in a royal fashion. Beds were covered with curtains as in royal days. Similar set up I had observed in Sariska Palace. Room was big and had all contemporary comforts.

My room

It had a verandah overlooking a garden.

Garden had swings. It was overall a regal ambiance creating an aura of royal living.

View from roof top

Food

We were first served with buttermilk which was very refreshing. I was setved with mouthwatering snacks and delicious soup. I loved them. Then we were served with paneer and undhiyu. Undhiyu is a Gujarati dish which is a mixed vegetable including peas, chickpeas, brinjal, banana, potatoes and fenugreek. Then I had dal chawal. 

Restaurant

Later at night, we had open air dinner which had enticing snacks again and lemon coriander soup. Main course had paneer and dal.

In breakfast they served uttapam which was my favourite along with coconut and tomato chutney. It was a buffet breakfast.

I had a gala lunch which had again lipsmacking snacks, hot and sour soup was spicy as it was supposed to be and vegetable soup was bland.

Buffet

Service

Drive way

Service was very courteous and prompt. All my requirements were pre empted and pro actively taken care of. While going back there was a good bye ceremony as well. This as a perfect way to see of someone as per Indian Customs which was again unique. I was offered curd with sugar which is in a way blessing of good luck as one ventures out of home to do a task. I was really touched by this.

View at the entrance

My interaction with Ms. Shraddha Rana,  the Director of Heritage Khirasara Palace revealed some interesting facts about the property. The palace was in a very crude earlier.

Photograph of Heritage Khirasara Palace

Discussion revealed how the application of ‘Responsible Tourism’ is being done. The whole palace was resurrected without any modifications. In peak seasons, the hotel is 90% above booked. Challenge for the Director is that they have to go out of the way to make clients happy. Sometimes for big fat Indian weddings, the rooms fall short. So, a new section is coming up which will be equipped with more rooms , spa, fairness centre.

Disclaimer – The stay was sponsored by Gujarat Tourism and views in the article are unbiased.

Nidhi KM

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