Skip Rajasthan for Punjab: a luxurious stay at Ran Baas, The Palace in the former royal city of Patiala
The luxury hotel in India was restored from an 18th century royal guest house in the Qila Mubarak complex, and now offers a thoughtful hospitality experience
For this reason, those in the know are turning to new destinations including the lesser-frequented state of Punjab, which has been on a mission to revitalise its historical forts and palaces to boost heritage tourism. At the heart of this vision is Ran Baas, The Palace, which opened its doors in 2025 in the former royal city of Patiala.
At its heart is a stunning central courtyard featuring a mix of Mughal, Sikh and Rajput architecture. It features two restaurants, Neel and Ath, and The Patiala, a sexy pink bar that serves up the famous Patiala peg and other cocktails. A series of hallways connect guests to facilities like the gym, an outdoor garden featuring a table tennis and basketball area, and a spa and gorgeous pool in the Lassi Khana, the former royal pantry that once fed 35,000 people.
So many of the hotel’s design details are Instagrammable, from the main staircase, hand-painted De Gournay wallpaper and statement chandeliers, to the larger-than-life pink lotus design that dominates the pool area. When you look beyond the avant-garde design and modern touches, though, you’ll find original architectural details that have been preserved and restored to pay homage to the palace’s rich past.
This vision continues throughout the hotel’s 35 unique and generously sized rooms, which are spread across three floors and themed around jewels including sapphire, topaz, coral and pearl. I stayed in an elegant Pearl Suite, which features embroidered white silk textiles, mirrored furniture and statement marble in the bathroom and bedroom, including a stunning bespoke hand-carved marble bed.