Shivavilas Palace - Sandur’s hidden Oasis

Restored to its current glory in 2009, the Palace is a wonderful example of Anglo-Saxon structure with intricate jaliwork, high ceilings and elaborate embellishments on the pillars and doors. The landing lobby where a warm welcome awaits guests, leads straight to the lounge which is packed with memorabilia of the Ghorpade family; portraits, photos, significant letters and some very interesting display which can keep guests occupied while completing the registration formalities. They have a total of 10 suites excluding the Maharani suite overlooking the inner courtyard and the Maharaja suite which overlooks the garden, both with a private sit out. The Maharaja suite has a separate sitting area whereas the Maharani suite is large and has a seating area and bed in the same room. The 10 suites, of which 4 are on the ground floor have twin beds and the remaining 6 on the upper floor have double beds. The Suites on the upper floor with a view of the inner courtyard are smaller with private balconies but less prone to insect attack as compared to the ones overlooking the Garden. The 2 suites on the upper floor overlooking the garden have a semi private balcony, unless both are occupied by a family in which case upon closing the door to the corridor leading to the 2 rooms makes it completely private. The beautiful and tastefully done spacious rooms are in muted shades with soft lighting and Lambani art alongside antique furniture. Every bathroom has a bath tub and a rain shower which is super spacious and almost like a room.

The Palace has 2 temple rooms where daily rituals are conducted in the evening and morning by a priest open to all guests, if interested the guests can do the aarti while the priest chants the mantras. On special occasions, the queen visits the Palace for the temple rituals in which case the clients can meet a member of the royal family. The Palace also has a vintage car museum with 4 cars owned by the royal family and the Darbar hall which is a replica of the King’s throne room (the throne is flanked by taxidermed Tigers) where he greeted his patrons. The bar and Billiards room decorated to look like a hunter’s lodge is adorned with mounts of various animals the kings hunted back then, is the place to indulge in a few drinks and a game of billiards. The hotel currently does not have a full-fledged bar but guests can either carry their own liquor or ask the staff to buy a drink of their choice (limited options) which can be served on the premises. The dining hall can accommodate up to 30 people comfortably but I felt it was a little crammed, I suggest dining by the pool or the barbeque area by the pool which can be arranged on prior intimation. The library, a little further from the Dining hall, has a plethora of books one can sit with in the many common seating areas that dot the Palace corridors.

For those hot summer afternoons, a dip in the open air pool is the perfect way to relax in the tranquil setting with a view of the Palace from the side. Sitting under a canopy of trees on the other side of the pool, the spa here offers Ayurvedic Massages and as they have only 2 rooms, guests are requested to book in advance for a few hours of blissful spa time. I would also recommend a visit to the Kushala Kala Kendra supported by the Royal family where Lambanis (a Nomad tribe) practice the age old tradition of embroidery on colorful clothing, bags etc. The staff at the Palace will be happy to arrange a visit here which is 10 minutes into the town for those guests who would like to interact with the Lambani women working here. They also have a Khadi weaving unit, a cane products unit, block printing unit and a tie and dye unit on the premises which can be visited and one can also buy the products manufactured here which are authentic. This is an off-beat experience which is not to be missed apart from the ruins of Hampi.

Most of all, the time I spent at Shivavilas was incredible thanks to the comfort and warmth extended by the staff. They are ever ready to accommodate requests and provide you with the much needed privacy, a hallmark of a stay at the Palace. Though an hour from the town of Hampi, it is, according to me completely worth the additional travel time. A secret that very few people know, this royal palace is welcoming from the moment you enter the premises and promises an unforgettable experience.