Taj Usha Kiran Palace

Gwalior, India

Destinations

India

Accommodation

Taj Usha Kiran Palace

Enclosed by nine acres of perfectly manicured grounds, the magnificently regal Taj Usha Kiran Palace is a stunning testament to the history of Indian royalty.

Originally built in the 19th century by HH Maharaja Jayaji Roa Scindia, the opulence of the palace has only been enhanced by its transformation into a heritage hotel, with its shining marble interiors complete with gold accents, and countless archways carved from stone. The grounds of the palace provide ample space for secluded relaxation. The main outdoor pool is a meeting of several interconnecting pools, separated by vibrant strips of lawn that criss-cross over the water.

The rooms and suites themselves range from luxurious ‘tents’ that explode the typical idea of camping, to self-contained villas containing multiple rooms and private pools. The décor of each room is characteristically luxurious and those inside the palace pay homage to the architecture, accentuating the ornate walls with hand-painted murals. The Marathi/Nepalese restaurant serves food just as spectacular as its surroundings and there is also an evening bar and all-day café serving both Indian and international cuisine à-la carte.

Luxury hotel gallery image — gallery photograph 2

Luxury hotel gallery image — gallery photograph 3

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What we love

Referred to by The Michelin Guide as “more than just an awfully luxurious hotel” the palace prides itself on offering guests an immersive activity choice. We particularly love the heritage walk that takes you back through 144 years of palatial history, with an attentive historian guide
Encircled by ancient oak trees, the J Wellness Circle spa offers rejuvenation and ultimate relaxation through age-old treatments cherished by the Indian royalty of a bygone era. Indulge in a signature Mangal Snan treatment followed by a dip in the serene spa pool
The hotel offers a traditional royal welcome featuring ancient music and a Chandan tikka ceremony
Take a day trip to the nearby Sarod Ghar Museum of Music in Gwalior to experience the legacy of Indian music firsthand

This is a popular hotel for high-end social events so you can be busy but the hotel never misses a beat on service

Children under 12 stay free when using beds already in the rooms, and a range of family suites and villas are available. The hotel offers dedicated kid’s activities and a children’s pool.

Just 25 km from Gwalior Airport and 3 km from the Railway Station . Easy to wander Gwalior itself, the birthplace of modern Indian music. Gwalior Fort is only a ten-minute drive from the palace. Known as the ‘Pearl Among Fortresses’, the nightly music and light show here brings the rich cultural history to life.

What our travellers say

We went to Sri Lanka as a three-generation family of three. The superb trip was organised by Samanthie and the team and it's difficult to see how it could have been bettered.

Roy Wood (February 2026)

Red Dot organised the most wonderful 3-week holiday for us. Samanthie built a trip around the amazing sights we had requested visiting, together with her own suggestions and a wide mix of hotels, which gave us the flavours of both traditional Sri Lanka and the sleek, stylish contemporary version of the country. Our Driver made the whole experience incredibly special for us.

Alie C (February 2026)

I can’t thank Cherylle and the Red Dot team enough for their meticulous planning of our family holiday to India travelling through Rajasthan over Christmas. As a family of all adults, every suggestion from daily activities to hotel choices was simply perfect. We travelled through Delhi, Ranthambore (an unforgettable tiger safari!), Jaipur and Agra and I truly feel we experienced the very best of each destination while moving at a relaxed, well thought out pace

Daisy Stanton (February 2026)

My partner arranged a holiday trip at fairly short notice to Sri Lanka with Red Dot on a recommendation, Samanthie was so patient & helpful with her suggested itinerary which we followed with some minor amendments. On arrival at Colombo we met Manjula our chauffeur/guide who was absolutely brilliant!

Andrew S (February 2026)

Dulmini and the Red Dot Team arranged a fantastic trip for us around Assam and North East India. Faultless service. I cannot recommend them more highly.

Martin Thomas (February 2026)

Wonderful company. Our holiday in Sri Lanka was perfect. Local knowledge made all the difference

Sandra Nicholson (February 2026)

We looked up, and communicated with umpteen tour operators. Though Red Dot seemed to have offices in Sri Lanka and the UK, they seemed to have the best reviews. We were fortunate enough to correspond with Cherylle, who not only assured us of the safety of our friend, but created a personalised, and flexible, itinerary which we could not have done ourselves.

Jayant Banerji (February 2026)

A 14-day tour with Red Dot Tours was the perfect antidote to the bleak UK winter. After a glowing recommendation from a friend, we contacted Red Dot Tours and were not disappointed. Our consultant, Lahiru, curated a seamless itinerary. Throughout the planning phase, Lahiru was incredibly responsive; the final itinerary—delivered via a user-friendly 'Guest Portal'—was impressively detailed, covering every hotel stay and excursion.

Phil Blair ( February 2026)

Traveller testimonial from Roy Wood (February 2026)

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