The Palace Utelia
Village Utelia, Via Lothal Burkhi,
Dist. Abmedabad - 382 230. Gujarat.
Ph.:02714-295001 Tele-fax : 079-26445770
Tel no.079-26569937 (reservation office-Ahmedabad)
Cell no. 098250-12611
E-MAIL: utelia@icenet.net
Status: Operational -14 rooms, family run.

HERITAGE : The Priencly State of Utelia was founded in 1646 by Bhavsinhji, a member of the Vaghela Rajput clan that once ruled much of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maiwa and Rewa. The Palace Utelia was built around the turn-of-the -century to replace a wooden palace by Neknamdar Thakore Saheb Sur Sinhji.

EXPERIENCE :The Palace Utelia is a typical work of the Indo-Saracenic architectural style with European influences, and features 5 domes, pillared galleries, balconies and porticoes. The highlight of the property is the dining hall, which is appointed in elegant wooden furniture, well framed portraits, gilt framed mirrors and antique corner tables. The terrace has splendid views of the village, the river Bhogavo and the flat countryside of Bhal. The principal attraction of the property is rural solace. The property is owned and managed by the Royal family of Utelia.

FACILITIES : *14 well appointed rooms with intricately carved wooden beds and excellent tiled bathrooms, some with private balconies. *Village tours by bullock cart. Horse riding. *jeep safaris to Velavadar National park and Nalsarovar bird sanctuary, with or without a picnic. *Folk dances. *Gala evenings of dances and music with folk dances of Gujarat, traditional welcome with garlands & tilak, Kathiawadi dinner and lighting up of the palace. *Swimming pool and garden proposed. *Indian and Continental cuisines including traditional Kathiawadi and Rajasthani. *Personalised hospitality. *Meals with the family. *Garba dances and Padhar nritya dances.

SIGHTSEEING: *THE VILLAGE:Traditional houses, diamond polishing, temples, hot springs and the typical ambience of an Indian village. Agricultural countryside (cotton and wheat fields) and Bharwad hamlets around Utelia are worth visiting.

*LOTHAL: Around 7 kms from the property, archaelogical ruins of the 2400-1600 BC Indus Valley citadel with dockyard, acropolis, bead factory and a site museum.

*GUNDI ASHRAM: Handloom weaving & spinning.

EXCURSIONS :*NALSAROVAR BIRD SANCTUARY (appx 35kms):100 sq km lake with thousands of birds-flamingoes, pelicans, ducks etc specially in winter. Nalsarovar is also known for it’s Padhar, Sindhi Muslim and Bharwad culture.

*VELAVADAR NATIONAL PARK (60 kms). An extensive tract of grasslands, with some of India’s greatest herds of blackbuck antelope, some blue bull, wolf, fox, jackal, one of the world’s greatest harrier roost and typical grassland birds.

GANPATPURA (appx 25 kms) : Famous temple of Lord Ganesh, known for it’s statue.

*ARNEJ (appx 10 kms):Temple associated with miracles.

*DHOLKA (appx 40 kms): Islamic monuments - mosques, havelis, shrines etc-of the Indo-Saracenic style.

*AHMEDABAD (78 kms) :The Palace Utelia is the closest heritage hotel to Ahmedabad, the city of textiles, monuments, museums, institute and commerce.


*CAMBAY(appx 65 kms) : Historic fort, Indo-Saracenic
style. architecture, stone cutting artisans.

ACCESS : 78 kms from Ahmedabad, 5 kms from Lothal Burkhi railway station, popular stopover between Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar (4 kms off Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar highway)