Neemrana Fort Palace

Neemrana Fort-Palace stands at the 122nd milestone on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway, in Neemrana, Alwar district, Rajasthan. Its building began in the 15th century, and after years as a ruin it was restored and opened as a heritage hotel.

Today it has 92 rooms and suites across nine palace wings, set over 14 levels cut into a hill on six acres of garden-palace. There are hanging gardens, two pools, an Ayurvedic spa, an amphitheatre and a restaurant with a rooftop garden, with sunsets over the countryside. Note that the many steps and ramps call for some fitness, although two lifts help, and the property is not wheelchair friendly.

The hotel's own story of weddings here sets the tone: the very first one built a chapel of a thousand candles, hung baskets of oriental lilies in the central court and finished with a black-tie dinner. Drummers, dancers and classical music can entertain guests in the hanging gardens, and Indian and continental food is laid out across the terraces and rooftop gardens. There is also a Wellness Wedding package.

The hotel tells us it hosts weddings of up to 180 guests. Capacities for the individual spaces are not published, so ask the team which terraces suit your numbers, the ceremony set-up, the music curfew and decor rules. The hotel also runs weekend cultural shows and daily music.

With 92 rooms and suites, much of the guest list can stay on site. Ask the team about chartering the whole fort. Note this is a heritage stay by design, with no televisions or room service, and the bar is for resident guests only.

Guests can fill the days around the wedding with camel cart rides to nearby villages, a vintage car ride around Neemrana village, or a walk to the old hill fort and the stepwell nine storeys deep, both about 500 metres away. Sariska, a national park with jeep safaris, is about 30 km from Alwar city. The best time to visit is October to March. Ask the team about the drive from Delhi airport.