Hotel Merwara Estate (Ajmer)

Hotel Merwara Estate — also known historically as Bhagchand ki Kothi — is one of Ajmer's most recognisable heritage properties, housed in a 19th-century British-era palace on Daulat Bagh Road in Ganj, Rajasthan. The property sits a 10-minute walk from Anasagar Lake and just 2 km from Ajmer Junction railway station, making it a genuinely central base for exploring the city. For pet parents, the headline detail is straightforward: pets are allowed in private rooms at no extra charge, which is a meaningful policy in a heritage hotel category where pet access is often restricted or comes with fees.

The Setting

The property is a white colonial-era palace — the kind of building that photographs dramatically at any hour, as Google reviewers with night-time shots will confirm. The architecture features arched windows, a pillared portico entrance, and the kind of elevated position that gives upper-floor rooms views toward the Aravalli hills. Reviewer Dev Kumar Malik describes it as "one of Ajmer's prominent heritage properties, reflecting the city's rich colonial past," originally built during the British era. The frontage has a motor court with space for vehicles, and photos confirm cars parked directly in front of the main entrance. For road-trippers arriving by car with dogs, the practical question of where to pull in and unload appears to have a workable answer here.

Anasagar Lake — a large, scenic lake on the western edge of Ajmer city — is within walking distance of the hotel. Walking distance access to open lakefront space is a genuine plus when you are travelling with a dog that needs a morning stretch. The lake area itself is a public space; confirm your dog's leash and the surrounding pedestrian access before assuming off-leash freedom.

Pet Policy in Practice

The confirmed policy is pets allowed in private rooms only, with no pet charges. This is the detail that matters most: your dog stays in the room with you, not in a kennel or a separate area, and you are not paying a nightly surcharge on top of your room rate. Room rates visible on booking platforms start from approximately ₹1,936 per night for a standard room, though this figure is subject to date and availability. The no-pet-fee policy is a meaningful saving over a multi-night stay in a city hotel.

What the policy does not clarify — and what you should confirm directly before arrival — is whether there are weight or breed restrictions, how many pets are permitted per room, and whether the hotel has any designated outdoor areas or green space where dogs can be taken for a walk on the property grounds. Call ahead and be specific about your dog's size and breed so there are no surprises at check-in.

What Reviewers Say — and What to Know

Hotel Merwara Estate holds a 4.2 rating across 1,234 Google reviews, with the majority of feedback praising the heritage atmosphere, lake views, and spacious rooms. Reviewer Arun Chauhan describes "spacious and comfortable" rooms and a "peaceful atmosphere" during a 3-day stay. The heritage building and the setting are consistently the strongest points across reviews.

A smaller number of reviews — including a 1-star Trip.com review and a 1-star Google review — raise concerns about cleanliness standards, the condition of the swimming pool, and a disconnect between advertised and actual dining options. These are worth flagging honestly: heritage buildings can be inconsistent across room types, and what one guest experiences in a well-maintained lake-view room may differ from another room in an older wing. If you are booking for a pet-travel stay, ask specifically about room condition and confirm which room category you are being assigned.

The swimming pool mentioned in reviews appears to be a facility on the property, but no source confirms whether pets are permitted access to it. Do not assume pool access for dogs.

What We Haven't Confirmed Yet

The following details are not confirmed in any source available to us and are worth verifying directly with the hotel before booking:

• Weight or breed restrictions on pets in rooms
• Maximum number of pets per booking
• Whether there is a garden, lawn, or designated outdoor area for dogs on the property grounds
• Whether pet amenities (bowls, mat, waste bags) are provided or should be brought
• Whether the pool is accessible to guests and under what conditions
• Resident dogs or cats on the property

Getting there: Hotel Merwara Estate is located on Daulat Bagh Road, Ganj, Ajmer, Rajasthan 305001. Ajmer Junction railway station is approximately 2 km away. Ajmer is well connected by road from Jaipur (approximately 135 km, roughly 2.5 hours) and is a realistic overnight stop on a Rajasthan road trip with dogs. Check-in is at 2:00 pm; check-out at 11:00 am. Phone: 091662 32231. Website: hotelmerwaraestate.in.