India Sublime: Princely Palace Hotels of Rajasthan [Hardcover]

Mitchell Shelby Crites (Author), Ameeta Nanji (Author), Melba Levick (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 2007

Vivid colors, delicate stonework, and opulent décor are the trademarks of the palaces, forts, and mansions of India’s maharajas. With their vast marble halls, jewel-box mirrored rooms, mosaics, and tapestries, these palaces present a veritable visual feast. In styles ranging from Art Deco to modern, from Indian folk style to English Colonial, the palaces of Rajasthan, dating from as early as AD 760 to as recently as the middle of the last century, are astonishingly innovative and modern. Many of the most luxurious of them have been converted to hotels. Lavishly illustrated with more than 250 specially commissioned photographs, India Sublime offers twenty-one of the most sumptuous palace hotels, displaying their interior decoration in great detail, as well as showing their pleasure pavilions, gardens, and pools. Now travelers–both real and armchair–can experience the lifestyles of the princes and princesses of old.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mitchell Shelby Crites, an American art historian, has lived in India for thirty-five years. He is the personal friend of the owners of numerous heritage hotels. Ameeta Nanji has directed documentaries and collaborated with Crites on numerous exhibitions and design projects. Melba Levick is a widely published and exhibited photographer who works and lives in Paris, Los Angeles, and Spain. She is the photographer for Rizzoli’s California Mediterranean, Casa California, Estate Gardens of California, and many others.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli (October 16, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847829790
• ISBN-13: 978-0847829798
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 1.2 x 12.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,328,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars So so, December 5, 2007

By 

Colin Rose (Sydney) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: India Sublime: Princely Palace Hotels of Rajasthan (Hardcover)

I was very eager to purchase this book as I am heading to Rajasthan next year for a holiday. The book features 21 palaces/forts that have been converted into hotels. It is produced in the coffee table genre - but it's not that inspiring, appearing a bit old-fashioned. I think there are 5 main problems. First, ... the complete absence of any map showing the location of the various hotels in Rajasthan. Second, most of the hotels are rather obvious choices ... names one will come across simply by browsing big glossy tourist brochures. There are not many surprises / discoveries. Third, the photographs are usually just of the main structure and/or public spaces, providing little information about accommodation (if that is what one is seeking to know). This is important because some of the converted palaces have absolutely charming public spaces, but unfortunately provide dingy accommodation. The photographs themselves are not particularly inspiring . Fourth, the authors' decision to include a brand new Oberoi Hotel in Udaipur - a building constructed in 2002 that has no princely origins whatsoever ... is highly questionable, and, I think, ultimately regrettable. Fifth, the book itself smells very very badly from the production inks ... making it almost off-putting to turn the pages. I tried leaving it on the balcony to breathe a bit for many hours - but it still smells. It is printed in China - but one would think that it is possible for the publishers, Rizzoli, to control such factors. Overall, I am not upset I have bought the book - it's mildly useful - but I don't find it inspiring or exciting ... which is surprising given the content.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Palace conversions, June 18, 2008

By 

Collector "Collector" - See all my reviews

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This review is from: India Sublime: Princely Palace Hotels of Rajasthan (Hardcover)

This well produced book contains many important palaces that have recently been converted to luxury hotels. Naturally, the original architecture, decor, and mood of the traditional buildings have suffered the renovations and the hyper cleanliness demanded by today's luxury seeking tourist. Nevertheless, many of the buildings are so spectacular that, in spite of conversion, much of their original brilliance remains. Many palaces are in distant reaches of Rajasthan and not on the usual tourist circuit. In general, these are the most exceptional. The book is nearly worth having merely to see the fantastic high ceilinged, completely tiled rooms of the Raj Niwas in Dholpur, or the magnificent complexly mirrored room at Kuchaman Fort in Kuchaman; both of these sites are amazing. Most of the hotels in this book retain their major architectural elements and are often newly decorated, but in a style that aptly suggests earlier periods. These are wonderful to see. A few palaces have been too up-dated and feel somewhat false and dead, and one hotel (Udaivilas in Udaipur) was built in 2002 in a bastardized traditional style and should not have been included in this book. In one instance, a large interior room of a palace has been transformed into a room for an indoor swimming pool. Nothing wrong with that for the tourist trade; but, the spirit of the original enclosure is entirely lost. In general, the hotels have been too manicured,too meticulously repainted according to contemporary taste, and decorated with standard hotel amenities reminiscent of Martha Stewart. In these instances, the feeling is that of the standard international luxury hotel, rather than sensitively refreshed examples of the great Indian palace styles of former times.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A broad overview of Rajastan's gorgeous former palaces now hotels, abundant with photos., October 3, 2008

By 

S. Phetsoumphou "nang" (Richmond, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: India Sublime: Princely Palace Hotels of Rajasthan (Hardcover)

I've gone through several books on Indian architecture and interior design and noticed this book didn't recycle pictures or use the same sites, making it an excellent inclusion in a picture book collection on India. Each chapter is a different hotel and there is a directory in the back but no map. There are full page and two page picture spreads throughout the book, showcasing beautiful architectural details, such as jalis or carved/perforated windows, arches and intricate tile & mosaic work. The views of furnished rooms provide plenty of inspiration for decorating at home, such as wicker and wood furniture, lighting, stained glass, lighting, mirror-work as well as use of color and fabric. With the number of sites, each hotel is not explored in depth and usually show the public areas (dining rooms, pools, gardens) and suites. Most of what is written is a short history, location and broad information.

What I liked best was the uncluttered yet rich colorful design and displays how to mix classic with modern use. I'd recommend this book for somebody who is looking for ideas on color, architecture, interior design. I would have liked for there to be more information on the materials and techniques but this is fine, considering the subject. As these are hotels, don't expect to find something very traditional but the uniquely Indian feel is certainly there.