Shell out Rs 11 lakh to stay at Rajasthan hotels on December 31

JAIPUR: When it comes to big fat celebrations, money is just a number. Nothing’s too high, not even Rs 11 lakh for a night’s stay at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur or Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur.

With the New Year round the corner, hotels and resorts in Rajasthan are choc-a-block, and tariffs for December 31 are hitting record highs as the Richie Rich want to usher in 2019 in their best celebratory style.


“Generally, the rates for these exclusive suites are much higher than the average room tariff but on occasions like December 31, they go up significantly. This year, the tariffs have risen by up to 40% for December 31 [compared with November rates],” said a source at Taj Rambagh Palace in Jaipur which quotes a price of Rs 8.52 lakh per room night without taxes. This is a 7% rise over the New Year rates in 2017.

“One can expect around a 20% discount if occupancies are low. But during days like the New Year, discounts could be less or rates may not be negotiable,” said a marketing manager in one of the properties. These uber luxury suites are a small part of the total inventory of the hotels. For example, the exquisite suites are only 10% of Taj Rambagh Palace’s rooms on offer. The share is similar or less in other hotels. Average rates for suites range between Rs 25,000 and Rs 70,000.

“There are very few cities in India where hotel and resort tariffs are as high as in Rajasthan. For New Year, people prefer resorts, and luxury heritage properties which are concentrated in Rajasthan. Money is secondary for such exclusive people. What they want is experience, privacy and other facilities,” said Shekhar Sawant, general manager of ITC Rajputana.

Occupancies cross over 90% in hotels

Jaipur: Despite the slowdown in the economy and the lingering effects of demonetization, occupancies in the hotels in the state have crossed more than 90% for the New Year. “We will be hitting 100% occupancy on December 31. We work months in advance for the day and are happy to see people shake off all thoughts of economic slowdown and decide to celebrate in the way they desire,” said Varun Mehrotra, director of sales and marketing, Fairmont Jaipur.

“No hotel prefers to put up a ‘house full’ sign, which takes them out of the online rankings. Rankings are very important for visibility. Sometimes hotels hold on to the last few rooms for a better premium. After all, it is a demand and supply economics. That’s why the rates are generally much higher closer to December 31,” said Rajesh Rajpurohit, general manager of Radisson Jaipur City Centre.