Shiv Niwas Palace is a heritage palace located within the City Palace complex in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. Built as a royal guest house by the Maharanas of Mewar, it is now operated as a luxury heritage hotel by the HRH Group of Hotels, the hospitality arm of the Mewar royal family.
| Type | Heritage palace and hotel |
|---|---|
| Location | City Palace complex, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India |
| Original use | Royal guest house of the Mewar dynasty |
| Current use | Heritage hotel |
| Operator | HRH Group of Hotels |
| Architectural style | Rajput palace architecture |
The palace stands on the eastern bank of Lake Pichola and forms part of the larger City Palace complex of Udaipur, which has served as the seat of the Sisodia rulers of Mewar. Shiv Niwas was conceived as a residence for guests of the Maharana, and over time hosted visiting dignitaries, royalty and heads of state.
The structure is arranged around a crescent-shaped courtyard with a central fountain, fronted by domed pavilions and arched colonnades characteristic of Rajput palatial design. Interiors feature crystal furniture, miniature paintings of the Mewar school, mirror work and period furnishings drawn from the royal collection.
Shiv Niwas Palace was converted into a heritage hotel under the initiative of Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar of Udaipur, who pioneered the adaptive reuse of Mewar royal properties for hospitality. The property is managed by the HRH Group of Hotels, which also operates other Mewar heritage properties such as the Fateh Prakash Palace and Shikarbadi.
The hotel offers suites and rooms, several of which were earlier used as personal apartments by the Mewar family and visiting royalty. It includes dining venues, a swimming pool set within the courtyard, and access to portions of the City Palace complex.
As part of the City Palace complex, Shiv Niwas Palace contributes to Udaipur's standing as one of the principal centres of Rajput heritage tourism in India. It is associated with the continuing custodianship of Mewar's cultural and architectural legacy by the erstwhile royal family, and is frequently cited among India's notable palace hotels.