Where to Stay in Jodhpur, India

The Best Area to Stay in Jodhpur

While not as extensive and accessible as Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, or as renowned as the romantic town of Udaipur, Jodhpur retains an utterly captivating charm. Constructed in the 15th century on the desert`s edge, it earned the moniker `Blue City` because of the numerous residences, guest lodgings, and shops painted in blueshades. Towering atop a rocky hill dominating the medieval-style Old Town – a rarity in India – is the extraordinary Mehrangarh Fort.

Remaining inside walking distance from the fortress and markets in the Old City makes the most of time. This allows full immersion in the remarkable history and clear atmosphere, exploration of the maze-like lanes (and becoming lost within them), and admiring the breathtaking fortress from a rooftop café/bar. A highlight of any visit to Jodhpur is lodging at one of the numerous havelis (guesthouses) spread across the Old City. Generally only a handful of rooms in a family home, most have been attractively renovated and many are centuries old.

There are three core areas within the Old City worth considering as a place to spend the night, each offering their own unique atmosphere: (1) the most antiquated and crowded space nearby Sardar Market also presents spectacular vistas of the fortress from various rooftop cafes; (2) the more spacious area encircling the Stepwell pond and town square is surrounded by refined bistros and boutiques; and (3) Navchokiya to the west presents the broadest perspectives of (and nearest access to) the fortress. (Before deciding to lodge within the Old City, nonetheless, peruse the unique segment below.)

To avoid the congested, crammed alleyways and narrow passages that are sometimes suffocating in the Old City, potentially lodging in Ratanada and Defence Colony nearby, more spacious sections in the inner south. Unlike the Old City, these suburbs have roads that are pleasant for strolls with far less pollution, crowds, noise, and cattle (and dung).

The Best Places to Stay in Jodhpur

• Best Luxury Hotels in Jodhpur
  Pal Haveli • RAAS • Radisson
• Best Boutique Hotels in Jodhpur
  Jhankar Haveli • Haveli Inn Pal • Ratan Vilas
• Best Cheap Hotels in Jodhpur
  Jewel Palace Haweli • Singhvi’s Haveli

Best Area in Jodhpur for…

• • Best Area in Jodhpur for Sightseeing: Navchokiya (Old City)
    Jodhpur’s standout attraction is the magnificent Mehrangarh Fortress. This can be explored for hours during the day; admired at night, when it’s beautifully illuminated; and visited for lunch or dinner at one of the cafés within the walls. The primary vehicle entrance to the north is really only accessible by auto-rickshaw, but a much more convenient entrance is only a few minutes’ walk, past a lake, from all the guesthouses in the Navchokiya section of the Old City, just west of the fort.
  • Best Area in Jodhpur for Shopping: Near Sardar Market (Old City)
    Dominated by the landmark Clock Tower, this marketplace exhibits as very tranquil, clean, and hassle-free relative to those nearly anywhere else in India. Without bothersome sales associates and interfering traffic (and horrible noise and fumes), it proves a delight to shop for gemstones, traditional-style jutti shoes, leather goods, puppets, tie-dyed fabrics, and the ‘genuine fake’ antiquity reproductions renowned for Jodhpur.
  • Best region in Jodhpur for families: Defence Colony
    While the Old City offers captivating sights, there are two noteworthy reasons why it may not suit children well: (1) the very narrow alleyways are regularly unpleasant and sometimes unsafe to roam around in due to auto-rickshaws and motorcycles zooming about; and (2) the older-style guest lodgings have steep and narrow staircases, perilous balconies, and undersized rooms unsuitable for sharing as a family unit. Accommodations that are much more spacious – hotels rather than just guesthouses – along shady roads with real sidewalks and tolerable traffic can be found in the inner southern region called Defence Colony.
  • Best Area in Jodhpur for Food & Restaurants: Near Stepwell (Old City)
    Stepwell is an antique pond and town square just 300m east of the fort walls. This renovated area is now sprinkled with surprisingly trendy boutiques and bistros and includes the only resort-style hotel in the Old City: RAAS Jodhpur. Several adorable cafés/bars overlook Stepwell, a busy area whereas many locals as tourists stop to admire, take photos, and chat. Inside the incongruous modern high-rise opposite Stepwell are several stylish eateries, including one on the roof (the highest in the region). On top of most guesthouses in this region are cafés/bars offering stunning views of the fort, which looks particularly romantic after dark.
  • Premier Area in Jodhpur for Transport: Ratanada
    The main rail stations and bus terminals as well as the airport can easily be accessed from all parts of Jodhpur – though private vehicles are generally needed to enter most of the Old City. Ratanada, an inner southern locale, provides the most convenient transportation hub. It is within 4 kilometers of the flight terminal, train station and bus stops, and just 10-15 minutes by auto rickshaw from the historic downtown.
  • The area near the Stepwell in Jodhpur`s Old City is lively at night.

Much of the area encompassing the ancient Stepwell pond along with the town square is surprisingly upmarket. Some places to eat, drink and shop might genuinely be referred to as ‘chic’ and are as refined as anything in the fancy suburbs of Delhi. However, there is very little to do after dark in Jodhpur apart from appreciating a meal and/or drink at a rooftop café/bar while marveling at the magnificent views of the fort. Also, look out for the local festivals, the only time that bands or DJs regularly perform.

• Best Area in Jodhpur for Atmosphere & Culture: Near Sardar Market (Old City)
  Unlike almost all other markets around India, the Sardar Market is a wonderful place to shop or wander and soak in the ambience and history. Within walls inaccessible to most traffic and dominated by the iconic and century-old Clock Tower, the market is also surrounded by cafés. People can escape the heat and noise there while watching traders and buyers demonstrate their skills across the street.
• Most Romantic Area in Jodhpur: Navchokiya (Old City)
  The Old City is one of the most fascinating places anywhere in India, and the fort dominates the meandering alleys like nowhere else in the country. Particularly intimate and welcoming are the small family-run guesthouses, many in beautifully converted and centuries-old buildings. The majestic fort is wonderfully illuminated for a few hours after sunset, so one of the most romantic places in India to enjoy a meal and/or drink is a rooftop café/bar in Navchokiya, which offers the broadest views of the fort in the Old City.
• Top Parts of Jodhpur for Beginners: Ratanada and Defence Colony
  The dense crowds, air pollution, heavy traffic, and widespread poverty found across all Indian cities still have the potential to overwhelm those who have visited the country multiple times. Freely exploring the Old City can be enchanting, but living there is less appealing. The extremely narrow lanes are clogged with motorcycles and auto rickshaws, and most lodging is located in cramped guesthouses, many with dim rooms and most facing loud streets. To experience Jodhpur without all the complications, stay in the internal southern parts of Ratanada and Defence Colony nearby. Conveniently close to the airport, train station, and bus terminal, these areas additionally provide sidewalks, spacious hotels, and relatively fresher air not remotely achievable in the Old City
• Safest Areas of Jodhpur: Ratanada and Defence Colony
  While Jodhpur presents no unusual dangers, motor vehicle traffic as with all Indian cities poses potential risks. pedestrians do not have the right of way except sometimes at red lights. Paradoxically, traffic within the Old City`s narrow, sidewalk-less lanes full of autorickshaws and motorcycles (and stray cattle) carries even greater risk. For superior safety, lodging in the flatter southern suburbs like Ratanada and Defence Colony offers broader roads, actual walkways, sparser traffic and reduced chances of theft

The 5 Best Neighborhoods in Jodhpur for Tourists

Staying in the Old City

Excellent reasons to stay in the ancient part of Jodhpur are proximity to the fortress; the history and character of the lovingly-renovated and centuries-old guesthouses; and the breathtaking views of the fortress from rooftop cafés, which is especially romantic and photogenic after dark when it is illuminated.

However, exploring within the Old City can be difficult. The narrow paths are packed tightly with motorbike and auto-rickshaw drivers who do not care about pedestrians – whether local or foreign. Without any sidewalks at all, and with many cows (and their waste), walking around the Old City is a real challenge and often quite uncomfortable. Auto-rickshaws can travel down most lanes and small roads or will drop off passengers near a guesthouse, but no taxi or vehicle can enter most parts of the Old City.

With some notable exemptions, there are no large hotels located in the Old City – only quaint, family-run lodgings. Rooms are usually compact and cramped, often loud from street noise below and neighboring visitors. No lodging has an elevator, and most rooms are up to six floors above street level accessible only by steep and sometimes rickety staircases. Constructed long before tourism increased, rooms in these lodgings have few windows, so views and natural light are restricted. These lodgings are unsuitable for those with limited mobility or young children.

1. Near Sardar Market (Old City)

The oldest section of the Old City is the most authentic, but also the most chaotic and unattractive. Unnamed pathways lead in all directions, so getting lost at least once a day is inevitable – and watch out for piles of fresh cow manure! The overwhelming attraction is proximity to the omnipotent fort. Most guesthouses feature a rooftop, often with a café/bar, offering breathtaking views of the city and fort (which is especially romantic after dark).

• Top Luxury Accommodations: Pal Haveli and Haveli Inn Pal

2. Near Stepwell (Old City)

In the eastern region of the Old City, around the ancient Stepwell pond and town square, there is a renovated area featuring tempting eateries and trendy boutiques. Many of the lanes in this part are wider and less confusing to explore. There are also numerous appealing lodgings – and even a resort-style hotel on the periphery (RAAS Jodhpur), offering gardens, vehicle access, and extras that can`t be found elsewhere inside the Old City, such as a spa and pool.

• Top Luxury Hotel: RAAS
• Best Cheap/Moderate Hotel: Jhankar Haveli

3. Navchokiya (Old City)

Within this western section of the Ancient City, many structures date back at least three centuries. Most guest lodgings, beautifully painted in bright blues, have been expertly renovated and converted to offer rooftop cafés/bars with superb perspectives of the town and fortress. Another clear advantage of this district is that all guest lodgings lie within a brief walk of the fort`s secondary pedestrian entrance near a picturesque lake, so explorers can tour the fort without needing an entrance ticket until reaching the interior museum approximately 500 meters further within the walls.

• Best Luxurious Hotel: Rani Mahal
• Top Quality Hotels with Affordable Prices: Jewel Palace Haweli • Singhvi’s Haveli

4. Ratanada

This inner southern suburb – and the neighboring locale of Defence Colony (see below) – provides a more spacious and relaxing option for some compared to the Old City. With shady streets and actual walking paths, everything is also much less crowded and touristy here. Hotels in Ratanada can also offer amenities rarely (if ever) seen in the Old City: spacious gardens, rooms with views, and even a swimming pool. This area has the added benefit of being within 4km of the airport, bus terminal, and train station, as well as the magnificent Umaid Bhawan Palace, which would be the number one attraction in most other Indian cities.

• Highly regarded Luxury Hotel: Ratan Vilas
• Best Cheap/Moderate Hotel: Treebo Trend Hotel

5. Defence Colony

Similar to the neighboring suburb of Ratanada (see above), this region also offers expansive streets, actual sidewalks, intriguing shops, and cafés and bars with gardens. Unlike the Old City, in Defence Colony, the roads are more pleasant for walking, foreigners are uncommon so locals are friendlier, and the atmosphere is more residential than tourism-centered. Being near enough to see and hear roaring jets from the close air-force base that is also employed as the airport, and near the magnificent Umaid Bhawan Palace, the area has more moderately priced and high-end lodges than guesthouses.

• Best Luxury Hotel: The Radisson