The Belgadia Palace.

Built in 1804, this double-story heritage property in Baripada serves as a living museum and the private residence of the Bhanj Deo royal family. Set atop a hill across 12 acres of manicured gardens, the palace is a rare architectural hybrid, blending Victorian and Georgian aesthetics with Greek Doric-Corinthian columns. Managed by the dynasty’s 48th generation, the hotel functions as a social enterprise, connecting guests to the local community through Dokra metal casting workshops and Chhau martial arts performances. Inside, the eleven themed suites are filled with period furniture and family archives, while the grounds feature a library, a billiards room, and a modern infinity pool. It serves as a sophisticated base for exploring the nearby Simlipal National Park and the region’s rich tribal heritage without the typical crowds of India’s better-known palace circuits.