Gujarat is a land where history walks beside us. Its palaces, havelis, and old homes carry stories of courage, culture, and Gujarati dhandho. Each heritage stay is not just a place to sleep but an inspiration for travelers and entrepreneurs alike.

In Heritage Hotels of Gujarat – Part 2, we go beyond the obvious. We uncover eleven lesser-known gems where you can live like royalty, enjoy authentic culture, and experience Gujarati hospitality at its finest. These stays are perfect for anyone who wants to mix travel with learning, and leisure with legacy.

1. Jagdip Mehta Heritage House, Ahmedabad

Walk into the old city of Ahmedabad and you’ll find a haveli that still has its soul intact. This is the Jagdip Mehta Heritage House, built almost 200 years ago.

Its carved wooden balconies, central courtyard, and traditional rainwater tank tell stories of a time when design was both beautiful and practical. Run by the Mehta family, it is more than a hotel — it is a home. Guests experience warm hospitality, heritage walks, and stories of Ahmedabad’s old pols.

2. Bhavani Villa, Danta

Nestled in the Aravalli hills, Bhavani Villa was once a royal residence. It now welcomes travelers looking for peace, nature, and a royal touch.

Step onto the balcony and you’ll see green forests on one side and little tribal villages on the other.

Inside, the house has old wooden furniture, wide verandas, and that easy pace which makes you slow down without even trying. The family often serves home-style meals that taste just like something from a Gujarati kitchen.

You don’t really have to plan much here. Some people just wander around the lanes, some hop on a horse for a bit, and some simply sit back with a cup of tea, watching the hills. Time feels slower here — and that’s the best part.

3. Dowlat Villas Palace, Himmatnagar

When you drive into Himmatnagar, this palace is hard to miss. It was built in the 1920s by the Idar royal family, and people here still talk about its unusual shape — from above, it looks like a scorpion.

Inside, the rooms are full of old furniture, big windows, and that royal air you only get in palaces. There’s even a small vintage car collection that is a must-watch. Step outside and you’ll find mango orchards, a swimming pool, and quiet corners where you can just sit and take it all in.

It’s not only about staying in style — it’s also a good example of how families have turned their heritage into something that travelers today can enjoy.

4. Madhavbaug, Baroda

Madhavbaug isn’t a grand palace, and that’s exactly why people love it. It feels more like visiting an old family home — with open courtyards, simple rooms, and lots of trees all around. The food here is simple Gujarati fare — the kind you’d get in a friend’s kitchen. Nothing over the top, just good, homely dishes that make you eat more than you planned. Most people don’t come here looking for activity. They come because it’s quiet. 

5. Raj Mahal, Devgadh Baria

Raj Mahal sits right in the middle of Devgadh Baria town. It’s not just big arches and long corridors — though there are plenty of those — it’s also the kind of place where you feel the old royal life around you. The Baria family once lived here, and you still catch little signs of that past.

Stay here and you get more than a room. The palace opens up to tribal culture, local food, and stories from this side of Gujarat that many travelers never see.h arches and courtyards”)

6. Darbargadh Kadval (Vananchal Heritage Resort)

Kadval’s Darbargadh was built back in 1897 by the Parmar rulers, and today it goes by the name Vananchal Heritage Resort. From the outside, you notice those big pillars and the grand front, but inside it’s a mix — old halls, heritage rooms, and newer cottages.

Because it’s surrounded by hills and forest, people don’t just stay inside. They go on short treks, sit by a campfire, or just enjoy the quiet. It’s half palace, half nature stay, which makes it a bit different from the usual heritage hotel.

7. Shri Joraver Vilas, Santrampur

This villa was built in 1926, right by a lake in Santrampur. The style is interesting — a mix of royal, colonial, and a touch of Art Deco. It’s not a huge property; just a few suites, each done up with old furniture and photos that remind you of another time.

Guests usually spend the mornings by the lake or take a boat ride if they like. Some go on heritage walks in the town or trek up to the Hawa Mahal nearby. 

8. Devpur Darbargadh, Kutch

Devpur Darbargadh is more than a heritage house — it’s also where the Jadeja family lives and runs a small school. That mix makes the place feel busy and full of life, not like a silent old palace.

Stay here and you’ll probably end up sitting with the family over a meal, tasting proper Kutchi food. They might take you to meet local artisans or share stories about how the house survived big earthquakes. It doesn’t feel like a hotel stay at all — more like being folded into someone’s home and history.

The Desert Outpost is different from the others. These were once British inspection bungalows, now turned into a rustic desert stay. Don’t expect chandeliers or royal halls — think simple rooms, mud walls, and the vast Little Rann of Kutch right outside your door.

People don’t really come here for fancy rooms. They come for the desert itself. Honestly, there isn’t much to do here, and that’s kind of the point. Daytime is slow out here; maybe you’ll see a few birds, maybe you’ll just take a ride out into the flats. By evening, people usually drift outside because, well, there’s nothing else to do but watch the sunset. And at night… It’s just quiet. The kind of quiet where even your shoes on the sand feel louder than usual.

10. Bell Guest House, Sayla

Bell Guest House goes back to the 1870s, when it was built for British officers who came through Sayla. These days it’s much quieter, with a big garden, a pond, and verandas where you can just sit around for hours.

The rooms? Nothing fancy. Just simple, with old wooden furniture that creaks a little. Meals feel homely — like someone’s kitchen, not a hotel. And if you walk around town, you’ll bump into weavers at work. That’s kind of the charm here.

11. Kadwal County, Kadwal

Kadwal County isn’t a palace stay. It’s more like being out in the village, with neem and tamarind trees everywhere. The family that runs it makes you feel at ease right away.

There isn’t a fixed plan here. Some guests go for horse rides, some join in the local games, and others just sit around the fire when it gets dark. Meals are simple, the kind you’d expect in a Gujarati home, often served with little stories about the place. 

Closing Thoughts

Gujarat’s got all sorts of stays — old havelis in the city, palaces in small towns, even simple lodges out in the desert. Each one feels different, and each one leaves you with a story to take back. Each of these Heritage Hotels of Gujarat – Part 2 is a reminder that history can be lived, not just seen.

For Gujpreneur readers, these stories highlight how Gujarati entrepreneurs preserve culture and turn it into thriving ventures. This blend of tradition and dhandho is what makes Gujarat truly special.

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