Located in the heart of Udaipur, Raghunandan Palace is a premier boutique stay that reinterprets royal Rajasthani heritage through the lens of contemporary interior and boutique hotel design. The project blends tradition with modern sensibilities to create a hospitality experience that is both immersive and intimate. The brief was to design a space that reflects the cultural depth of Udaipur, while offering the comfort and elegance of a modern-day luxury hotel.
Boutique Hotel Design Meets Rajasthani Royalty in the Heart of Udaipur | Prarambh by Akshi
Building Facade
The building façade borrows inspiration from traditional India architecture. A series of vertically aligned arched jharokhas (projected windows), delicate mouldings, and symmetrical fenestrations lend the exterior a stately rhythm. These architectural cues are subtly enhanced through warm, directional façade lighting that accentuates form after dusk. The modern glass-box rooftop sits lightly atop the traditional massing—a deliberate contrast that hints at the contemporary design language within.
Reception
As guests enter the hotel, they are welcomed into a lobby that evokes nostalgia. The reception backdrop showcases a hand-painted mural of Udaipur’s iconic Gangaur Ghat, while the reception desk is adorned with a depiction of the Rewari Mewar Royal Procession—paying homage to the regal traditions of the region.
The lighting here is warm and theatrical, emphasizing rich textures, gold-toned lamps, and glass-inlay doors. The corridor and staircases carry forward this narrative, with the interplay of Jali patterns, wood-toned stair risers, and pendant lighting.
The reception lobby area features custom wall mouldings that frame the serene artworks of Shreenathji and Jagdish Mandir Procession. Neutral-toned sofas contrast beautifully with the antique gold wall art, while soft lighting enhances the tactile quality of each surface. The lift lobby is designed with understated elegance, ensuring circulation spaces are as refined as the rest of the interiors.
Raghunandan Palace houses 21 thoughtfully designed rooms, categorized into Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Premium Suite, and two Dormitory-style accommodations. Each room offers a distinct view—be it the Aravalli hills, the bustling cityscape, or glimpses of the majestic City Palace. The material palette across rooms is consistent—light marble floors, warm wood panelling, earthy taupe curtains, and rich velvet cushions in maroon tones.
The layout maximizes daylight and privacy, while bespoke headboards, integrated study units, and mood lighting enhance functionality. The dormitory rooms are uniquely designed to cater to solo travellers or groups, featuring comfortable bunk beds and generous circulation space without compromising on luxury.
Restaurant
Crowning the project is Kasturi—the rooftop restaurant that is as much a design highlight as it is a culinary destination. With expansive glazing that opens up to Udaipur’s skyline, the restaurant features terracotta Jaali walls, black mirror-top tables, amber-toned leatherette chairs, and a custom wood-finished ceiling.
A curated display wall with handcrafted artefacts, warm pendant lights, and minimalist buffet counters elevate the dining experience. The lighting plan uses concealed LED strips and ceiling-mounted pendants to create a cozy evening ambiance, perfectly balancing hospitality with spatial drama.
Design Challenges
One of the core challenges in the project was integrating traditional art and cultural references within a limited floor plate and a modern hospitality program. Collaborating with local artisans to ensure authenticity in artwork while maintaining a restrained, modern aesthetic took several iterations. Ensuring acoustic control in the rooftop restaurant and optimizing views from every guest room also required careful spatial planning and material selection.
In essence, Raghunandan Palace is more than a hotel. It’s an experience curated at the intersection of memory, comfort, and design. Akshi Goyal curates material, light, and space with thoughtful precision. She crafts a narrative rooted in culture and aligned with the expectations of today’s discerning traveller. She reinforces the identity of a place where royalty meets refinement. Through every detail, from the murals to the modular furniture, tradition speaks in a contemporary tongue.
Fact File
Designed by: Prarambh by Akshi
Project Type: Hotel & Restaurant Interior Design
Project Name: Raghunandan palace – A Premier Boutique Stay
Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan
Year Built: 2023
Duration of the project: 2.5 Years
Project Size: 12800 Sq.ft
Principal Designer: Akshi Goyal
Team Design Credits: Bhumika & Kapil
Photograph Courtesy: madgo.productions
Structure engineers: Creative construction & consultant
Project Managers: Kapil Goyal
Products / Materials / Vendors: Construction Materials – Wonder, Tata Tiscon / Lighting – GR Lights, Neon / Sanitaryware – Toto / Windows – Prominance upvc / Flooring – Katni, Mandana / Paint – Esdee Paints / Hardware – Ozone, Madhuram
Firm’s Instagram Link: Prarambh by Akshi
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