Where to Stay in Jaipur, India

a large grassy area with a large white building

The Best Area to Stay in Jaipur

As the capital city closest to Delhi, Jaipur is a natural entry point to explore the historic and fascinating state of Rajasthan, the `Land of the Kings`. Around this intriguing and busy desert city are majestic palaces, royal fortresses, and quintessential markets where camels are still used to unload dates and figs. It is part of the extremely popular `Golden Triangle` route that also takes in the nearby cities of Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, and the national capital Delhi.

Jaipur itself is often referred to as the ‘Pink City’, but this more precisely describes the walled Old City which is full of buildings with the namesake hue. Dominating this part of the capital is the magnificent City Palace, still used to house the royal family, while the main attraction – Amber (Amer) Fort – is about 10km to the northeast.

With many additional attractions in and surrounding the city and with Jaipur’s best hotels spread generously throughout the area, no section of the city is entirely convenient for sightseeing. Unsurprisingly, the inner-city suburbs are too crowded and poorly planned to allow spacious hotels (with some notable exceptions) and, except for a few basic guesthouses, there is virtually nowhere to stay within the Old City.

Many of the closest accommodations to the Old City are along Sansarchandra and Station roads. These busy routes are dusty and loud, but certainly convenient to the inner-city attractions, limited metro services, and train and bus stations. Also handy is Bani Park, a suburban area with decent shopping, wide streets, and a likable middle-class vibe. Around the extensive parks at Rambagh are several top-end lodgings featuring the sort of bars and nightclubs rarely found elsewhere.

Providing even more space and superior shopping opportunities are the hotels clustered around the low-key airport and along the main road halfway between the airport and the historic Old City district. Additional hotels, like an upscale resort, can be discovered near the renowned Amber Fort as well as adjacent to the artificial Man Sagar Lake which is conveniently situated halfway between the Old City and the fort.

The Best Places to Stay in Jaipur

a green lawn chair sitting in front of a garden

  • Best Luxury Hotels in Jaipur

    The Venetian is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after hotels in Las Vegas. Its location is ideal, and the 5-star elegance is evident in the resort’s guestrooms, facilities, and amenities. Booking a night or two at this hotel is worthwhile, not just for the luxury but also because guests will be treated with great respect.

  • Best Boutique Hotels in Jaipur
    Bissau PalaceDera MandawaPearl Palace Heritage Hotel
  • Best Cheap Hotels in Jaipur
    Atithi Guest HouseArya NiwasMadhuban

Best Area in Jaipur for…

  • Best Areas in Jaipur for Sightseeing: Sansarchandra and Station Roads
    Even though the primary attraction – Amber/Amer Fort – is 10km away, staying near the Old City still makes sense. These two roads may be dusty and loud, but they offer a decent selection of contemporary hotels and traditional havelis (guesthouses). Many are within walking distance of the Old City walls and only about 2km by auto-rickshaw from the magnificent City Palace.
  • Prime Location in Jaipur for Shopping: Old City
    Renowned all over India for its memorabilia and other items, the most enticing places to shop are the markets and stalls around the 18th-century center of Jaipur. Old traditions, where some regions exclusively specialize in specific goods, still remain, which assists locals but confuses visitors. All prices are negotiable and reduce further from the tourist hot spots like the City Palace. Look out for traditional carpets, leather goods, tie-dyed fabrics, Rajasthani shoes called jutti, and gemstones particularly.
  • Best Areas in Jaipur for Families: Amber (Amer) Fort and Man Sagar Lake
    While notably more compact than Delhi, Jaipur continues facing issues common to large Indian cities, such as vehicular traffic, crowds, noise, pollution, as well as bothersome drivers and pushy salespersons. These persist primarily in the Old City but may be avoided near the artificial Man Sagar Lake roughly halfway between the Old City and Amber Fort, or surrounding the fort itself. Tourist amenities prove more constrained than downtown, yet both locales offer quieter, cleaner, more spacious environments
  • Best Area in Jaipur for Food & Restaurants: Bani Park
    Eateries are scattered all over the city, with few concentrated in any single area. Bani Park, centered around Collectorate Circle, is an upmarket zone of hotels, homes, shops, and restaurants. Along multiple roadways radiating from this busy intersection are high-class vegetarian bistros, Indian-style fast-food outlets, top-tier coffee shops, posh restaurants attached to hotels, and even a handful of bars (which are uncommon in Jaipur).
  • The best area in Jaipur for transport is Station Road.
    This road extends west from Chandpole Gate, the main passageway into the Old City. Along the road are a few stops servicing the metro system that travels into the Old City. The prominent central bus terminal (Sindhi Camp) is conveniently situated just off the road sharing its name, which also leads to the major railway station. Roughly 13km south of the Old City, the airport is easily accessible, so there seems little purpose remaining nearby just for simplicity of access.
  • Best Part of Jaipur for Nightlife: Rambagh
    Jaipur is not famous for its evening activities, so locals often chat over coffee in an Old City market or watch a Bollywood film at the Raj Mandir Cinema (just off M.I. Road). Western-style bars are rare but many eateries, especially those connected to lodgings, serve beer and some liquor. For a social watering hole, outdoor beer garden, and even a hip nightclub, head to Rambagh, an inner-southern suburb with numerous opulent hotels.
  • Best Area in Jaipur for Atmosphere & Culture: Old City
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  • Constructed in the 18th century and mostly painted in pale pink hues, there is of course no finer place to immerse oneself in Rajasthani culture, history, and desert city ambiance than the Old City. The pleasantly expansive yet perpetually frenetic streets lead to the magnificent main attraction: the majestic City Palace. Elsewhere, winding lanes are overrun with crumbling abodes as well as marketplace stalls that specialize in specific goods depending on the location. (Convenient for locals; perplexing for visitors.)

  • Most Romantic Spots in Jaipur: Amber Fort and the scenic Man Sagar Lake
    Jaipur’s prime attraction is the stunning 16th-century Amber Fort set majestically on a hilltop overlooking a picturesque lake about 10km northeast of the Old City. Staying around the fort – or near the artificial Man Sagar Lake halfway between the fort and Old City – allows several visits to the fort, e.g. for the Sound & Light Show and after dark, when the fort is so romantic. With far less traffic, noise, and crowds than the city center, the fort and surrounding village streets can also be visited by donkey or even elephant.
  • Best Regions in Jaipur for Novice Visitors: Amber (Amer) Fort and Man Sagar lake
    Like other Indian cities, Jaipur faces issues of noise, crowds, pollution, and traffic – exacerbated by regular desert winds and occasional dust storms only ceasing during wet seasons. All this can overwhelm those visiting the city or country for the first time, so the best place to stay is around Amber Fort or Man Sagar Lake, located roughly halfway between the fort and Old City. It’s feasible to experience Jaipur, and India generally, without all the hassles of staying in the city center.
  • Safest Area of Jaipur: Amber (Amer) Fort and Man Sagar Lake
    There is nothing particularly unsafe regarding Jaipur, but like all Indian cities, the main danger is the relentless traffic. Always remember: non-motorists do not have the right of way in India, except (usually) at a red traffic light. The most protected areas to stay are the quieter village streets near Amber Fort or around the lake halfway between the fort and Old City. These areas are distant from the traffic, dust, and noise of the busy inner city and possible petty crime along the crowded streets.

The 6 Best Neighborhoods in Jaipur for Tourists

a pool with a pool table and chairs in it

1. In and near the Old City

Built in the 18th century, there are surprisingly few lodging options within the walls of the Old City. The handful of traditional guesthouses and hostels are convenient and offer charm, but certainly noisy outside and, often, cramped inside. There are no upscale choices within the walls but two excellent options are very near: The Raj Palace (north) and Bissau Palace (west), as well as a few mid-priced hotels just past the northern entrance.

2. Sansarchandra Road and Station Road

These two primary municipal roadways head south in somewhat divergent directions from Chandpole Gate, the main entrance to the Old City. Both roads are noisy, dusty, and busy, as anticipated in this section of the desert city, but are always fascinating. Some havelis (guesthouses) are near enough to walk to the entrance of the Old City however it is still worth using an auto-rickshaw to travel further inside the walls. Additional reasons to stay in this area are proximity to the main bus station and railway terminal, and convenience to several stops along the metro system.

3. Bani Park

One Jaipur area nicer but still close to Old City holds middle-class homes in inner western suburbs. Along (mostly) broad, shaded lanes lie appealing mid-range hotels and enchanting guesthouses, all offering uncommon space and calmness rarely elsewhere downtown. Bani Park also homes a few laid-back malls and better dining choices.

  • Top-Rated Luxury Hotels:Umaid Bhawan PalaceShahpura House
  • Maregio Suites – A small hotel located right on the caldera’s edge below the windmills, Maregio offers spacious suites with heated indoor pools, private dining, and extraordinary sunset views over Oia.

4. Near the Airport

Situated only 13km from the Old City, there does not appear to be a sizeable benefit to staying near the airport solely for expedited transit, but the surrounding suburbs and nearby Jawahar Circle Garden spread spaciously enough to house several internationally recognized 4 and 5-star hotels. The broad roadways are filled with upmarket shopping but the area is devoid of the type of history and atmosphere predominant elsewhere in Jaipur.

5. Amber (Amer) Fort and Man Sagar Lake

The primary attraction in and around the Rajasthan capital is the magnificent 16th-century Amber (Amer) Fort, about 10km northeast of the Old City. Remaining near the fort allows for more than a single visit, such as after dark when it’s especially romantic as well as for the Sound & Light Show. A flashy resort (Trident) and a few guesthouses are clustered around the artificial Man Sagar Lake, about halfway between the fort and Old City. These regions are distant from the traffic, dust, and air pollution of the cramped inner city, and provide enough tourist facilities nearby to satisfy most needs.

6. Rambagh

This inner southern suburb is home to multiple spacious parks and upmarket hotels, counting the extraordinary Taj Rambagh Palace inn. This hotel – and most others nearby – offer rarities such as beer gardens, boutiques, and nightclubs. The area is more convenient to the Old City than near the airport, and cleaner and more roomy than anywhere in the city center, but it is not particularly atmospheric or historic.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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