Laxmi Vilas Palace Vadodra

Maharaja Ranjitsinh Gaekwad of the Baroda royal family will move out of the majestic Laxmi Vilas Palace. The royal scion of erstwhile Baroda state told TOI in an interview on Monday that the royal family, which has seven members staying on the top floors of one of India’s finest palace, will change their address and make way for a heritage Hotel.
The palace has remained home to the Gaekwads and witnessed important events related to the city’s history since Sayajirao III buite it in 1890 and named it after his queen Chimnabai I whose maiden name was Laxmibai. Built at $1, 80, 000, this palace is one of the costliest private residences of the 19^th century. It has great potential as a golfing resort as it is the only golf course in a palace precinct in the world. Maharaja Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad Launched Gujarat’s first golf course in 1941 at another site on this first golf open championship in western India in 1942.
“We might convert the palace into a heritage hotel property and shift to some smaller place,” Ranjitsinh Gaekwad said. The Gaekwads plan to expand the 10-hole golf course to an 18-hole one. The palace, which covered 700 acres, now has only 500 acres, much of it was given up to build roads, says Ranjitsinh. “We used to have 300 servants earlier to look after the palace, which is now reduced to 5 percent. If we live there, it has to be maintained. The palace has nearly 150 rooms,” he says.

 “I stay on the second floor of the palace. And with age, it is not convenient for me to climb the stairs. Also, it is too for a small family likes ours,” says Ranjitsinh who lives here with wife Maharani Shubhanginiraje, son Samarjitsinh, daughter-in-law Radhika Raje, their two children and his sister Mrunalini Devi Puar. Ranjitsinh told stay within the premises. “We might refurbish one of the bungalows located in the palace compound and move there,” adds the royal scion. British architect Charles Mant designed the palace in Indo-Saracenic style and it was completed by architect R F Chisholm. A portion of the palace is open to wedding and other events.