Narendra Bhawan was the private residence of Narendra Singhji, the last reigning Maharaja of Bikaner — a travelled, book-collecting, dog-loving royal whose taste the hotel channels unapologetically: Portuguese tiles beside art deco, velvet beside terrazzo, a library bar where his spirit clearly still takes a nightcap.
The hotel curates Bikaner the way its owner lived it — themed meals that move course by course through his life, walks through the red-sandstone old city, and evenings that end on the terrace with the desert wind.
Why We Place Guests Here
- It makes Bikaner — the circuit's most underrated stop — a destination rather than a waypoint.
- The India-through-his-life curated dinners are the most original food storytelling in Rajasthan.
- Residence rooms differ wildly by design; we match room character to guest character.
The Table
- P&C — Pearls & Chiffon dining room
- The Mad Hatter — patisserie and all-day café
- Clock Tower breakfast in the old city, arranged by the house
The Elevated India Signature
The 'Merchant's Trail' old-city walk at dawn, ending with kachori and rasgulla where the locals actually queue.
Questions, Answered
Was Narendra Bhawan really a royal residence?
Yes — it was the home of Narendra Singhji, the last titular Maharaja of Bikaner, and the hotel's eclectic interiors are built around his personal collections, travels and tastes.
Is Bikaner worth adding to a Rajasthan itinerary?
For travellers who want Rajasthan without the crowds, decidedly — Junagarh Fort, the red-sandstone old city, camel heritage and the dunes' fire dance, with Narendra Bhawan as the reason to stay an extra night.
Journeys That Take You There
Photography: Photography courtesy Narendra Bhawan, Bikaner