JEWEL PALACE HAWELI in Jodhpur - Hotel Review with Photos

India › Jodhpur Hotels › Jewel Palace Haweli Review
Updated: March 23, 2022

Essentials
• Location: Navchokiya, close to Rani Mahal hotel.
• Hotel website: jewelhaweli.com
• Hotel phone: +91 (0)291 264 1912
• Check prices for Jewel Palace Haweli

Review of Jewel Palace Haweli in Jodhpur, India.

The 5-centuries-old Jewel Palace Haweli features beautiful rooms located in the Old City.

Jewel Palace Haweli – A hidden gem that’s so quiet, friendly, bright, and cheerful.

This budget-priced 500-year-old guesthouse offers far better rooms and facilities than its exterior would suggest. Dotted along several levels and mostly facing the shady courtyard, rooms are beautifully renovated with an authentic Rajasthani appeal. The rooms are small but uniquely furnished and certainly comfortable, with a few offering superb views of the fort. The overall design of the guesthouse is synonymous with the Old City: blue walls, thick wooden doors, and paintings of kings everywhere. Adding to the immense appeal is the very helpful staff and two dining areas. With far fewer steps than other guesthouses and positioned away from the chaotic street, it’s also among the finest in the Old City for families.

Jewel Palace Haweli – The Location

Address: Along Old Fort Road, in an area called Navchokiya in the western part of the Old City. Look for the sign along the road (really just a lane) 100m up from the Rani Mahal hotel. The Jewel Palace is another 100m along an alley, and then up through the gate for another 50m.
Area: In the middle of the Old City, with all the vibrancy (and chaos) that it entails.
How to Get There: About 8 km (20-minute drive) from the airport. At the attractive (and low-key) terminal, there are pre-paid booths for taxis and auto-rickshaws, but note: taxis cannot enter this part of the Old City. The train terminal (3 km) and main bus station (5 km) are accessible by auto-rickshaw.
Handy to: Old City. Mehrangarh Fort.

Jewel Palace Haweli – The Basics

Guests: Caters for all, and there’s even a small room for a family.
Views: Of the 9 rooms, 3 provide excellent views of the fort. Others face the courtyard within the old building.
Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Certainly not expected or provided at a historic inner-city guesthouse like this in Jodhpur.
Extras: Free pickup from the airport, train terminal, or bus station within Jodhpur.
How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
Phone: +91 (0)291 264 1912
Email: inthejewelpalace@gmail.com
Website: jewelhaweli.com

Jewel Palace Haweli – Amenities

Pool, Spa, & Fitness Center: Not expected or provided.
Other Facilities: Laundry. Travel advice/bookings. Book exchange.

Jewel Palace Haweli – Food and Drink

Restaurants: There are 2 places to eat, both offering the same limited menu of Indian and western food. The rooftop area provides stunning panoramas of the Old City. Another area is inside and air-conditioned, ideal for the scorching summer months.
Breakfast: Included in all rates.
Room Service: Claims to offer 24/7 room service, but more likely from 7 am to 9 pm.

Jewel Palace Haweli – Rooms

Room Types: Only 9 rooms, each different in design, layout, and décor. • List of all Rooms
Smoking Rooms: No smoking in the rooms or café areas.
Best Room: The finest are those facing the fort, with the optimal view from the room highest up.
For Families: One room has 2 single beds and twin bunk beds, so it’s ideal for a family of 4.

Jewel Palace Haweli – Local Transport

Walking: The Old City is fascinating to wander around, but there are no sidewalks, so all pedestrians share the scarily narrow streets and alleys with maniacal motorcyclists and anarchic auto-rickshaw drivers. And watch out for huge piles of fresh cow dung.
Public Transport: Nothing of use for tourists anywhere in Jodhpur.
Taxis & Auto-rickshaws: Taxis (unmetered) can be ordered through the guesthouse for longer day-trips, but can’t possibly enter the Old City. Auto-rickshaws are good enough for anywhere around Jodhpur. These hang about junctions in the Old City. Taxis and auto-rickshaws can also be ordered through the Ola and Uber apps.

Jewel Palace Haweli – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

Jaswant Bhawan – Along the alley to the guesthouse, only 50m away. Top-notch food, but rooftop not as high as the Jewel Palace.
Rani Mahal – Superb hotel offering the classy Jeeman vegetarian restaurant on the ground floor which is worth visiting just for the setting. The same food is also served on the rooftop. Almost opposite the turnoff for the alley to the Jewel Palace.
Raj Mandir +91 98290 23390 – Open-air, faultless views, and pleasing prices. Ideal for a sunset beer. Just past the Rani Mahal.
Castle View – Impressive setting and long menu of Indian, Chinese, and western food. The winding lanes and numerous steps are worth it. Look for the signs near the Rani Mahal hotel.
And inside the fort are: Chokelao Garden Café (lunchtime buffets), Mehrangarh Fine Dining Evening Restaurant (spectacular views, dinner only, and booking required), and Palki Café (snacks and drinks). (2 km).

Nearby Shops & Markets

Facilities in the general area are for locals, not tourists, so take an auto-rickshaw to Sardar Market, based around the iconic Clock Tower and opposite the renowned Pal Haveli hotel. Open all day every day, the market is clean, quiet, and hassle-free, so it’s fun to wander around. (1.5 km).

Nearby Attractions

Mehrangarh Fort – This magnificent attraction dominates the Old City. The secondary entrance is only 350m up the main street from the guesthouse, while the ticket office is at the main vehicle entrance at the other side of the fort (2 km). Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Also, check out the lakes at the end of the street, about 250m up from the guesthouse.
Jaswant Thada – Also known as the Taj Mahal of Mewar, a marble marvel amidst lush, landscaped gardens and next to a serene lake. The intricate marble lattice screens as well as the city views are superb. Easily paired with a visit to the Mehrangarh Fort. 9 am to 5 pm. (2 km).
Mandore Garden – Historic garden, home to beautiful empty tombs of the Royal Family. The Hall of Heroes, temple of 330 Million Gods, and Government Museum are worth seeing. Visitors can also explore the Mandore Fort ruins or have a picnic on the grounds. Located just outside the city. (8 km).
Umaid Bhawan Palace – An architectural marvel; one part of the palace still serves as a Royal Family residence, the rest has been converted to the Taj Hotel and museum. Only the museum is open to the public, and it’s very popular for the vintage car and clock collections and vast gardens with peacocks. Great spot for a romantic meal. 10 am to 4.30 pm. (8 km).

Jewel Palace Haweli – The Hotel

The guesthouse is located in the western part of the Old City.

The Jewel Palace Haweli guesthouse is at the end of an alley off a main street through the western part of the Old City of Jodhpur.

The alley leading to the Guesthouse is near the Rani Mahal hotel.

The alley leading to the guesthouse is easy to miss; it’s just up from the larger Rani Mahal hotel.

The elegant guesthouse's entrance is unimpressive.

The unimpressive front gate belies the elegance of the guesthouse, which is about 50m further past this gate.

The guesthouse is located within a 500-year old restored building.

The 500-year old building has been lovingly restored to maintain its enchanting character.

The rooftop cafe offers a refreshing breeze and excellent views.

A café area on the rooftop provides breezes and expansive views of the Old City and fort.

The rooftop offers great views of the fort.

Dominating the rooftop views is the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort.

The rooftop has comfortable seating with fort views.

Within the rooftop area of the guesthouse is some comfortable seating facing the fort.

The second dining area is indoors and air-conditioned.

Unlike most rivals, this guesthouse provides 2 areas to eat and drink. One on a slightly lower level is inside and air-conditioned for the blistering summer months.

There are several sitting areas for guests.

Outside many of the rooms are quaint sitting areas for guests.

Rooms optimize the limited space of the ancient architecture.

Rooms beautifully utilize the limited space created by the layout of the ancient building.

The spacious bathrooms are a little dark.

Despite the limited space, the bathrooms are spacious but mostly dark.

Rooms are compact/cramped due to the old architecture.

All rooms are compact and even a little cramped because of the original layout of the very old building.

Rooms feature unique and traditional decor and furnishings.

The décor and furnishings are different in each room and very appropriate to the Old City.

Rooms come with thick doors and minimal windows.

Each room is hidden behind a thick door. With minimal windows, most are dark inside, but that is typical of guesthouses throughout the Old City.

The guesthouse is located in the middle of the Old City.

The guesthouse is located deep within the Old City.

The neighborhood facilities are more for locals.

Facilities around the guesthouse are limited and more suited to local residents than foreign tourists.

Jaswant Bhawan nearby has a rooftop cafe.

The closest café to the Jewel Palace at the Jaswant Bhawan guesthouse also provides a rooftop sitting area.

Castle View café's rooftop cafe nearby is also terrific.

Another offering a terrific rooftop café is at the aptly-named Castle View guesthouse. Follow the signs just down the main street from the Jewel Palace.

The vegetarian Jeeman restaurant at Rani Mahal hotel has a fantastic ground-floor setting.

Worth visiting for classy vegetarian food and an almost medieval setting is the Jeeman restaurant on the ground floor of the magnificent Rani Mahal hotel. Almost opposite the entrance of the alley leading to the Jewel Palace.

Jeeman also offers meals and drinks on the hotel's rooftop.

Meals and drinks at the Rani Mahal can also be enjoyed on the rooftop.

Raji Mandir close by is a great place to enjoy meals, beers, and fort views.

Particularly inviting is the rooftop café at the Raj Mandir guesthouse about 100m down the street from the Jewel Palace.

The Chokelao Garden Café is located about 300m from the fort's secondary entrance.

For something different, head to Chokelao Garden Café, about 300m within the fort from the secondary entrance at the Old City.

Dinner at the Mehrangarh Fine Dining Evening Restaurant is a great experience.

Mehrangarh Fine Dining Evening Restaurant, about 400m within the Fort, is truly spectacular. Dinner only, and bookings essential.

The fort's secondary entrance is close to the guesthouse.

The secondary entrance to the fort is signposted almost at the end of the street along which the alley to the guesthouse is located.

The ticket office at the main entrance is accessible via a long, steep road.

A long and steep road from the secondary entrance to the fort leads to the ticket office at the main entrance.

The ticket office is by the main vehicle entrance at the northern end of the fort.

The ticket office is at the main vehicle entrance to the fort. Therefore, much can be seen of the fort before needing to buy a ticket.

The fort is magnificent, so allow half a day at least to explore it fully.

Sunset views of the magnificent fort are impressive.

The fort is even more impressive for a few hours after sunset.

Auto-rickshaws are advisable in the Old City to avoid getting lost.

Getting lost within the Old City is almost inevitable. Auto-rickshaws can come to the rescue, although they are a real nuisance along the narrow lanes. Check rates and availability: Jewel Palace Haweli

Hotel Jewel Palace Haweli in Jodhpur, India

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