Heritage Hotel in Jamnagar: the Story of Hotel Aram
Hotel Aram opened in 1970 in Nand Niwas, a building once owned by Shri Alibhai Jhaveri, jeweller to the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar. It is the only Jamnagar hotel on Gujarat Tourism's list of heritage hotels.
- Opened 1970
- Gujarat Tourism heritage hotel
- 38 rooms and suites
- 3 pure-veg restaurants
- About 3 km from Lakhota Lake
Nand Niwas: the building
Before it was a hotel, Nand Niwas belonged to Shri Alibhai Jhaveri, jeweller to Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji, who ruled the princely state of Nawanagar (today's Jamnagar) from 1933 to 1947. Hotel Aram opened here in 1970 and has run as a hotel ever since.
Gujarat Tourism lists Hotel Aram among its heritage hotels, and it is the only Jamnagar property on that list. Its listing describes the building's Art Deco style and its Burmese woodwork.
What to look for
- Original Burmese woodwork, which Gujarat Tourism's listing notes on the ceilings, balustrades and door frames.
- Carved wood on the balustrades, the main door frames and the windows.
- Art Deco and Victorian-style details on the white facade: arched windows with wooden frames, moulded cornices and the balustraded entrance steps.
- The garden setting, with palms and climbers around the building.
The same Jam Saheb is remembered in Poland as the "Good Maharaja": between 1942 and 1946 he sheltered Polish children at Balachadi, on the coast near Jamnagar.
From princely Nawanagar to Hotel Aram
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1540 | Jam Rawal founds Nawanagar, the "new town" that is now Jamnagar. |
| 1933–1947 | Jam Saheb Digvijaysinhji rules Nawanagar. His jeweller, Shri Alibhai Jhaveri, owned the building that later became Hotel Aram. |
| 1970 | Hotel Aram opens in Nand Niwas. |
| 2020 | First rank in the Swachh Hotel Competition, Swachh Survekshan League 2020, Jamnagar Municipal Corporation. |
| 2025 | Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice award. |
| 2026 | #1 of 35 hotels in Jamnagar on Tripadvisor (October 2026), with more than 10,000 Google reviews. |
A heritage building with today's comforts
Behind the old facade: air-conditioned rooms, three restaurants, banquet halls, free Wi-Fi and a front desk open 24 hours.
Rooms and suites
38 air-conditioned rooms in five categories, from Deluxe (290 sq ft) to the Royal Suite (800 sq ft) and a 950 sq ft Service Apartment with a kitchenette. Every room has Wi-Fi, a TV, a tea and coffee maker, a work desk and 24-hour in-room dining. See the rooms.
Three pure-vegetarian restaurants
The open-air 360 The Rooftop and Skyline (both 7 PM to 1 AM), and the air-conditioned Indoor Restaurant, known for its Gujarati thali at lunch. About our restaurants.
Weddings and events
Skyline, Sapphire Hall and Crystal Hall host weddings, receptions and conferences, with in-house pure-veg catering. Banquets and events.
A heritage walk from the hotel
Jamnagar's old city sits about 3 km south-east of Hotel Aram, around Lakhota (Ranmal) Lake. Take a 5 to 10 minute auto-rickshaw or car ride to the lake; the sights below are then within about 1 km of each other on foot. Guests who book direct get a free local transfer within 5 km, once a day.
| Stop | What to see | From the hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Lakhota Lake and Museum | A 19th-century water fort on an island in the lake, built by Jam Ranmal II. It houses a museum of sculpture, coins, paintings and arms from the 9th to the 19th centuries; it reopened in 2018 after earthquake repairs. | About 3 km |
| Bhujiyo Kotho | A tall bastion on the south side of the lake, built between 1839 and 1852 and damaged in the 2001 earthquake. It reopened to visitors in March 2026 after restoration. | About 3 km |
| Bala Hanuman Temple | On the south-eastern bank of the lake. The Ram Dhun has been chanted here without a break since 1 August 1964, a feat recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. | About 3 km |
| Khambhalia Gate | One of the old city gates, now a state-protected monument. | About 3 km |
| Jain temples, Chandi Bazaar | The old city's marble Jain temples, built between 1574 and 1622. | About 3 km |
| Darbargadh and Willingdon Crescent | The 16th-century royal palace (now empty) faces Willingdon Crescent, an arcaded market built by Jam Ranjitsinhji. | About 3 km |
| Ratanbai Masjid | A mosque in the old city, built during the reign of Jam Vibhaji (1852 to 1895). | About 2.5 km |
Distances are by road from Hotel Aram (OpenStreetMap routing). On foot, the loop from the lake to Ratanbai Masjid is roughly 2 to 2.5 km.
Before you go: the Lakhota Museum is closed on Wednesdays, on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays and on government holidays (Incredible India listing), so check timings first. Dress modestly and remove your shoes at the temples and the mosque.
For more places, distances and day trips, read our guide to the best places to visit in Jamnagar or the Hindi guide, जामनगर में घूमने की जगह.
Awards and recognition
Gujarat Tourism awards
Best Business Hotel, Best Multicuisine Restaurant and Best MICE Venue.
Cleanliness and guest reviews
First rank for cleanliness among Jamnagar hotels (Jamnagar Municipal Corporation, Swachh Survekshan), and a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice award in 2025.
Questions about our heritage hotel
Is Hotel Aram a heritage hotel?
Yes. Gujarat Tourism lists Hotel Aram among its heritage hotels, and it is the only Jamnagar hotel on that list. The hotel opened in 1970 in Nand Niwas, a building once owned by Shri Alibhai Jhaveri, jeweller to the Jam Saheb of Nawanagar.
How old is Hotel Aram?
Hotel Aram opened in 1970, so it has been welcoming guests for more than 55 years.
What makes the building special?
Burmese woodwork, carved balustrades, door frames and windows, Art Deco and Victorian-style details on the facade, and a garden setting.
How far is Hotel Aram from Lakhota Lake and the old city?
About 3 km by road, or 5 to 10 minutes by auto-rickshaw or car. Guests who book direct get a free local transfer within 5 km, once a day.
Where exactly is Hotel Aram?
Opposite DKV College, Pandit Nehru Marg, Jamnagar, Gujarat 361008. The railway station is about 2 km away and the airport about 8 km.
Do the rooms have modern facilities?
Yes. All rooms are air-conditioned, with free Wi-Fi, a TV, a tea and coffee maker, a kettle, a work desk and 24-hour in-room dining. Parking is free for in-house guests, with valet service.
Stay in Jamnagar's heritage hotel
Book direct for free cancellation up to 5 days before arrival, a free airport pickup, a free local transfer within 5 km once a day and 10% off food. Rates change daily, so check today's price.
HOTEL
Contact
Hotel Aram
Opp DKV College,
P N Marg,
Jamnagar 361008
Hotel Aram, The Finest Heritage Hotel in Jamnagar