Hotel Pearl Palace

Hotel Pearl Palace is a budget hotel at 51 Hathroi Fort, Hari Kishan Somani Marg, on Ajmer Road, loved by independent travellers for its value and personality. Despite the low price, it has a boutique feel, with themed rooms and a decorated interior. On site you will find the Peacock Restaurant and Native Cocktail Room, with a view over the city, plus a silver shop and an arts and crafts store. Basic wifi is free for hotel and dining guests, and the front desk is open twenty-four hours, with in-house laundry and an elevator. The hotel offers free pickup from the train or bus station in the day and evening hours, and it runs guided Jaipur tours in a 1942 military jeep with an English-speaking local guide, in half-day or full-day formats that cover Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, City Palace and the Monkey Temple.

Location and getting around: the hotel is on Ajmer Road, a short ride from the railway station and about ten to fifteen minutes by auto-rickshaw from the old city bazaars, depending on traffic. It is not in the middle of the Pink City, but the free station pickup and cheap rides make it simple, and the hotel staff are good at arranging transport and day trips.

Rooms: the range is wide, from small, simple rooms for solo travellers to larger specialty rooms with more decoration. Air-conditioned options are available, and rooms are kept clean and well maintained. The peacock-themed restaurant is a social hub, and the Native Cocktail Room is a relaxed place for an evening drink. Because it is popular, rooms in the high season from October to March can sell out, so book well ahead.

Good to know: the hotel states that it does not host local unmarried couples when one or both have local identification, and Indian guests should check its booking page for details. It suits backpackers, solo travellers, couples on a budget and families who want an informative base. If you need a pool, a spa or a quiet palace setting, choose one of the other hotels in this guide.