See India through the eyes of the maharajas, The maharajas no longer rule, but throughout India their magnificent palaces remain to delight the eye. Today, many have been turned into hotels, often still occupied and even run by the former royal families. This is a unique, candid guide to the best of them, from the Lalitha Palace in Mysore to the famous Lake Palace, once home to the maharaja of Travancore, and the Sariska Palace at the Sariska Tiger Reserve. Most are in Rajasthan, but palace hotels are described in all parts of India. The author has stayed in them all and she details every feature of interest: prices, the special history and flavor of each palace, what the rooms are like, the quality of service, even what to see in the surrounding area. Throughout the book are profiles of the royal owners, present and past, as well as interviews with several of the maharajas and their close family members. Color photos and maps throughout.