History in a hotel

While there may be many hotels around the world that include the world "palace" in their names, only a handful rightly deserve this dignified title. Whether it be due to the royal status of their former residents or to the singular palatial beauty of the interiors, here are the jewels in the crown — hotels that are palaces in every sense of the word, and where today's guests are given a chance to live like royalty.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India www.tajhotels.com

When it comes to opulence, India's maharajas really know how to pull out all the stops. Set in the Rajasthan desert, on the outskirts of the mythical town of Jodhpur, stands the Art Deco-styled Umaid Bhawan Palace. Surrounded by Rajput towers and topped by a massive dome, it is one of India's finest architectural jewels.

Although most of the 350-plus rooms are now a luxury hotel, the present maharaja and the royal family still live in one wing. Guests at the palace are encouraged to enjoy a few days living as the Rajasthani princes did.

Many of the suites are decorated with the original 1930s designs and provide a glimpse into how Indian royalty and their guests enjoyed life. While the Umaid Bhawan holds many surprises, guests love to indulge in the lavish meals, which include dishes enjoyed by generations of Indian aristocracy. Rates from Rs15,500 (Dh1,280).

Villa d'Este, Lake Como, Italy www.villadeste.com

For more than 400 years, this aristocratic palace has stood proudly on the banks of Lake Como in northern Italy. A visit today is a chance to mix with the rich and famous, who come to enjoy the old-world charm, unrivalled Italian food from chef Luciano Parolari and the glorious waterside setting.

Actor George Clooney is a regular visitor and loves entertaining friends on the open terrace with views of the mountains. Inside the Villa d'Este, the rooms maintain their original palatial decoration, enriched with valuable portraits of noblemen and 19th-century furniture. Don't miss the chance to enjoy a cool refreshment as you gaze out over Lake Como from the glorious lounge, which features a marble statue by Italian sculptor Canova, crystal chandeliers and silk damask wall coverings. Rates from €800 (Dh4,270).

Westin Palace Hotel, Madrid, Spain www.westinpalacemadrid.com

Set in the epicentre of Madrid, the Westin Palace has been welcoming the world's kings and queens for almost a century. It was Spain's King Alfonso XIII who ordered the Palace's construction in 1912, and today the sumptuous rooms and suites provide a chance to spend a few days in the old-world charm of aristocracy. You wouldn't want to miss out on sitting under the massive stained-glass cupola and enjoying a sumptuous brunch, an every-Sunday event.

Adding to the refined atmosphere as you dine are some of Spain's top performers singing up a storm with arias from the great operas. In the nearby lounge, fitted out with dark wood walls and deep velvet sofas, you'll find changing contemporary photographic exhibitions.

Rates from €320 (Dh1,700).

Shangri-La Hotel, Paris, France www.shangrila.com/paris

What was once the royal residence of the Bonaparte family in Paris is today one of the world's most stunning palace hotels and the place to enjoy sensational views of the Eiffel Tower. The original building has been restored to its original late-19th-century appearance. Today the colourful frescoes, carved woodwork, marble staircases and double height ceilings welcome guests from around the world. The prince's original master bedroom and private living room are today Le Suite Impériale. Providing an unparalleled opportunity to experience life in an aristocratic French mansion, the public areas are decorated more as a home than a hotel. For gourmands, L'Abeille, which sits beside a lush courtyard garden with views of the Eiffel Tower, brings exquisite French flavours to the table from the hand of chef Philippe Labbé. Rates from €650 (Dh3,470).

New York Palace, New York, the US www.newyorkpalace.com

Enter a world of unrivalled glamour at the New York Palace. The luxurious public spaces, rooms and suites are spread over the original 1882 building and the newer tower, which reaches for the sky with its 55 floors. Guests are welcomed to the New York Palace as they enter the marble hall complete with Italian, renaissance-styled staircase, before heading upstairs to one of the magnificent rooms or 86 suites, many of which are decorated in Art Deco style and offer views over Manhattan.

Those seeking the peak of opulence should book the Royal Suite, decorated with yellow drapes, silk brocade wall coverings and Louis XV-style furniture. Downstairs, in the original historic building, a gilded vaulted ceiling, a fireplace and dark wood panelling provide the perfect setting to enjoy American flavours at Gilt, the hotel's fine dining restaurant headed by chef Justin Bogle. Rates from $339 (Dh1,245).

— Scott Adams is a Madrid-based freelance writer