Where Queens Once Dreamt: A Stay at Ran Baas The Palace, Patiala

Tucked away in the storied heart of Patiala, behind the bustling bazaars and sun-washed lanes, lies a palace that defies all preconceived notions of location and luxury. It isn’t every day that a world-class heritage hotel rises from the ruins of royal pasts in a city more famous for its pegs than palaces, but Ran Baas, The Palace has done just that.

We arrive at the imposing Qila Mubarak complex through a maze of narrow alleys and tradition-soaked turns. As the gates creak open, a whiff of rose petals and the beat of a dholak greet us. A phulkari chadar is held above our heads. Somewhere above, petals descend from a jharokha in an orchestrated welcome straight out of a royal dream.

What follows is rather a time-traveling spectacle choreographed by hotelier Priya Paul and conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah. The palace, once a crumbling emblem of forgotten grandeur, has been painstakingly restored to evoke the magnificence of the Phulkian dynasty. Think 610 chandeliers, hand-painted murals, Aleppo mirrors, and walls that whisper centuries of secrets.

“Originally the residence of queens, Ran Baas now features 35 unique suites, each room a jewel-box inspired by precious gems like Pearl, Sapphire, Topaz, and Coral”, says General Manager Deep Mohan Singh Arneja as we sip high tea against a backdrop of cupolas, a pink-orange sky and panoramic views of Patiala’s domes and dreams. My Heritage Suite, featuring the calming shades of blue and white, has parakeets in mid-flight painted across the walls and windows overlooking the Moulsari Garden, where a 200-year-old tree sways gently to the rhythms of time.

The Qila itself, dating back to the 18th century, holds layers of history- from Maharaja Narindar Singh’s aesthetic pursuits to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s legendary flamboyance. Their legacy echoes in the soaring arches of the Durbar Hall, the mirrored Sheesh Mahal, and in every lime-plastered, nanakshahi-bricked corridor.

But this isn’t just nostalgia in sepia tones. Ran Baas balances old-world charm with new-world indulgence. We were welcomed to the Patiala Bar, which is a decadent den of dark velvets and irreverent cocktails named brilliantly. While I tried my hands on most of their signature concoctions under a pink-hued tasselled chandelier, ‘Firaaq’ with the rose-infused gin and ‘Memsahib Matrini’ (made by stirring up Coffee infused liquor and cold brew) took the cake, with Punjabi rap pulsing in the background. We also savoured some Mutton Rogan Josh, Maa Ki Dal, Makhni Murg, and a fiery Jungli Ghost made with love by the brilliant chef Jayanto Ghosh, at Neel, their all-day dining restaurant, because hey- when in Punjab, going into a food coma is practically a cultural rite. Fair warning though, the food is that good, you might just find yourself sweating it out with extra reps at the gym the next morning.

The courtyards are living canvases. While one features a marble pool; another, the Moulsari Garden, offers shaded alfresco dining with fountains tinkling nearby. We also explored the spa, aptly named Aqua, nestled besides the pool in the former royal kitchens. You can get a massage under Mughal arches and then do laps in a pool flanked by fort bastions. I went all in with their 60-minute Shahi Rose Therapy and let’s just say… stress? Never heard of her.

What makes Ran Baas unforgettable is how it honours the soul of Qila Mubarak without sanitising it. The crumbling frescoes stand proudly beside gold-epoxied travertine floors, and ancient courtyards are now wellness sanctuaries. History here is not erased; it’s relived, respectfully retold, and luxuriously reimagined.

In resurrecting Ran Baas, The Park Hotels haven’t just created Punjab’s first luxury palace hotel, they’ve woven the spirit of Patiala back into its walls where every corner feels like a royal chapter worth rereading.

Book your stay here.

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