Earlier known as Gulab Bhavan, The LaLiT Grand Palace Srinagar stands a witness to the turn of 20th century and also a spectator to the events, as they unfolded during the time India was fighting for its Independence. The four generations of rulers that ruled the state with Jammu as its capital, with Maharaja Pratap Singh having built the palace in the year 1910. The crown then passed to his nephew Maharaja Hari Singh, when Maharaja Pratap Singh died issueless.
The Palace still has the Chinar tree where Gandhiji once had a conversation with the Maharaja Hari Singh. It was his interest in architecture that Maharaja Hari Singh designed the Palace himself and decorated it with best of furniture, upholstery, fittings, paintings from local artisans, ethnic carpets and handicrafts etc. Amongst other esteemed guests at the Palace were Lord Mountbatten who visited the Palace in the year 1947 and stayed in the Viceroy and Vicereine Suites, now called the Presidential Suites.
Maharaja Hari Singh and his wife would often have guests over to their palace and cook meals for the guests themselves. The central courtyard and the lawns around it were often used and guests were served with amazing flavours of Dogri and Rajasthani meals alongwith the laughter and songs from the people all over the world. The Palace has carefully restored and still uses the Puja House and the Darbar hall where the King held all his meetings. The hall still holds within itself, the carpet that is being used since time of Maharaja Hari Singh.
Owing to the new political direction in the state that came during the initial years after independence, Maharaja Hari Singh had to move to Mumbai and The Gulab Bhavan was converted into The Grand Palace – the only five star hotel Srinagar in 1956. The hotel has been a host to guests from all walks of life - From Government Heads to Diplomatic delegations; From glamorous International celebrities to jet setting millionaires; Famous Indian luminaries to Indian Film personalities – they all headed for The Palace to make it their paradise.
In 1998, Bharat Hotels took over the Palace and after carefully restoration, that palace that had once succumbed to the ravages of time, returned to life. With the restoration, also came some very innovative and practical new introductions, which were all created in the same architectural style as the existing Palace. A new Lobby was also built, connecting Palace suites with the Rooms. A Health Club with a heated indoor swimming pool and cottage villas were also a part of the new builds. On November 19, 2008, the Palace was re-branded as the LaLiT Grand Palace Srinagar – when the Group adopted ‘The LaLiT’ as its new brand identity. The LaLiT Grand Palace is the proud recipient of the Best Heritage Hotel Award by Travel Plus of The India Today Group.
