Alsisar Mahal, a Shekhawati palace reimagined as a heritage hotel

Alsisar Mahal occupies a former 17th-century palace in the Shekhawati region of northern Rajasthan. The building was converted into a hotel by the descendants of Alsisar's noble family, who restored the original frescoes, interior courtyards and state rooms while installing 51 air-conditioned bedrooms. The result is a characterful property that straddles the line between heritage museum and country retreat, where guests sleep in spaces that have retained their original architecture and furnishings.

Why stay here

• An authentic Shekhawati palace—a region renowned for its painted havelis—transformed into a hotel without compromising the original building.
• Interior decor that is entirely Rajasthani: wall paintings, ornate ceilings, sculpted furniture and hand-knotted carpets.
• An ideal base for exploring the village-museums of Shekhawati, often overlooked on standard Rajasthan circuits.
• Home-style cuisine highlighting Rajasthani specialities, with Indian, Chinese and continental alternatives.

The atmosphere

The mahal is organised around several interior courtyards, typical of Shekhawati aristocratic architecture. Walls and ceilings are painted throughout, and the common areas—lounges, library, terraces—showcase the period furnishings preserved by the family. The swimming pool occupies one of the courtyards, flowing into the garden.

The atmosphere is serene: Alsisar is a rural village, far removed from the bustle of Rajasthan's main tourist hubs, and the palace exudes a slower rhythm of life, punctuated by meals, guided tours of the building and rambles through the surrounding lanes.

The bedrooms

The hotel offers 51 air-conditioned rooms, each unique due to the building's historic nature. All feature markers of local style:

• Carved four-poster beds,
• Painted walls and ceilings, hand-knotted carpets, Rajasthani furnishings,
• Ensuite bathroom with shower and bathtub, hot water available 24/7,
• Individual climate control and contemporary amenities discreetly integrated.

Rooms are distributed across several categories according to size, location within the palace and the degree of original decoration retained. The finest overlook the painted courtyards.

Dining and services

The hotel restaurant offers a menu spanning Indian, Chinese and continental cuisine, with a speciality in Rajasthani dishes (dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, laal maas). A bar completes the offering. Meals can be served in the dining room or, depending on the season, on the palace terraces.

Services include the expected offerings of a heritage hotel in this category: 24/7 reception, room service, organisation of excursions in Shekhawati, and guided tours of the palace itself.

Location

Alsisar Mahal sits in the village of Alsisar, in the heart of Shekhawati in Jhunjhunu district (northeast Rajasthan). The region is accessible by road from Delhi, Jaipur or Bikaner; allow several hours' driving from any of these cities. It often features as a stop on circuits linking Delhi to the Thar Desert, or on dedicated haveli-painting itineraries.

What to see and do nearby

• The painted havelis of Mandawa, Nawalgarh, Fatehpur and Ramgarh, a short drive away.
• The village of Alsisar itself, with its lanes, fort and lesser-visited havelis.
• The Magnetic Fields festival, held annually within the palace grounds and drawing an international music scene.
• Camel rides or jeep safaris through the semi-desert countryside.

Extend your journey

If you appreciate characterful heritage properties in Rajasthan, consider following with the Ranthambore Heritage Haveli near Ranthambore National Park, or opt for the Woodville Palace Hotel in Shimla for a Himalayan retreat. For very different atmospheres, explore Red Earth in the south or the Wonderland Tourist Camp in Ladakh.

To build a complete itinerary incorporating this stop, browse our India travel experiences.