WelcomHeritage Connaught House occupies an English-style cottage in Mount Abu, in southern Rajasthan. Once the official summer residence of the chief minister of the princely state of Marwar, the property still belongs to the family of the Maharaja of Jodhpur and retains its heritage character: intimate spaces, well-maintained gardens, and the atmosphere of a private home rather than a hotel.

Why choose Connaught House

• A heritage home of the Marwar royal family, managed under the WelcomHeritage label.
• A compact format of 10 rooms that preserves the residential character of the place.
• Rare English cottage architecture in the region, inherited from its function as a summer residence.
• A location just steps from Nakki Lake and the heart of Mount Abu, without its bustle.
• Multiple dining spaces, including the option for garden dinners.

Ambiance and architecture

Built during the era when Mount Abu served as a summer retreat for Rajasthani princely families, the house embodies English cottage style: pitched roofs, compact volumes, verandas opening onto gardens. The property has been preserved rather than reimagined, which sets Connaught House apart from the palatial heritage hotels of Rajasthan: here you sleep in a summer residence, not a converted fortress.

The gardens, shaded and well-tended, occupy a significant portion of the property. They serve both as a setting for the house and as living space: breakfasts, afternoon teas, and dinners by arrangement are enjoyed here.

The rooms

Accommodation consists of 10 air-conditioned rooms, all situated in the main cottage. Each room opens onto a balcony overlooking the gardens, with good air circulation—a welcome feature during the warm season. The spaces retain the proportions of a family home: spacious but without excess, furnished in keeping with the property's historic character.

The property's limited capacity means booking early is essential, particularly from October to March, Mount Abu's peak season.

Dining and services

Connaught House offers two distinct dining rooms:

• Cottage Dining Hall: the main dining room in the historic building.
• Upper Wing Dining Hall: a second, more intimate space.
• Garden dining: by arrangement, special outdoor dining can be arranged.

The kitchen emphasizes Rajasthani and Indian classics, with select continental options. Standard boutique heritage hotel services are provided (reception, sightseeing advice, transfer arrangements).

Location in Mount Abu

The hotel sits a few minutes' walk from Nakki Lake, Mount Abu's focal point, and the bazaar. Mount Abu is Rajasthan's only hill station, perched on the Aravalli plateau at approximately 1,200 meters elevation: visitors come for the cool climate, vegetation, and a more relaxed pace than elsewhere in the region.

Access is typically from Udaipur or Ahmedabad, each several hours' drive away. The nearest railway station, Abu Road, is served by major Rajasthan lines.

What to see from Connaught House

• Nakki Lake: boating, sunset views from Sunset Point.
• Dilwara Temples: a complex of Jain sanctuaries in white marble, among the most finely carved on the subcontinent.
• Guru Shikhar: the highest peak of the Aravalli range, with panoramic views over the plateau.
• Achalgarh: a ruined fort and Shiva temple, a short distance away.

To extend your stay elsewhere in Rajasthan or India, you might explore other heritage properties such as Ranthambore Heritage Haveli near Ranthambore Park, or Woodville Palace Hotel in Shimla. For travel in the south, Red Earth near Mysore offers another perspective on India travel.

Including Connaught House in your journey

Mount Abu fits naturally into circuits connecting southern Rajasthan (Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh) with Gujarat, or as a restorative pause between key destinations. To create a custom itinerary incorporating this heritage property, explore our India journeys.