Built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture with domes and columns, the Utelia Palace has and arched gateway that leads to a hall decorated with age old chandeliers. Utelia Palace towers over its tiny village; a jewel in the dust. Set in a place “as flat as a forehead” a local expression to describe the arid land as far as the eye can see from its rooftop rooms. 14 beautifully furnished rooms come with exquisite antique beds and doors, old portraits and modern amenities. The ground floor rooms look out onto a lovely courtyard filled with green plants and a space for performances and celebrations. The top floor rooms have panoramic views of the huge 360 degree vastness, with gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. The food is very fresh and tasty and boasts of having the most expensive and sought-after wheat grown in the country. Great tour options include the neighboring villages by bullock carts, horses and jeeps, the Velavadar National Park and Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary. What singles out this eco-conscious destination is responsible water management that sustains a thirsty village.