Ran Baas The Palace | Abha Narain Lambah Associates

It was a real event in Punjab when, after 80 years of abandonment, Ran Baas reopened in November 2024 within the oldest Sikh fort (Qila Mubarak). After undergoing painstaking restoration work, it became the region’s first luxury palace hotel. The government brought in architect Abha Narain Lambah to supervise this revival of traditional crafts. By adding few contemporary touches that only elevate the Mughal and Sikh architecture – featuring a spa within the royal kitchens and restaurants in the erstwhile throne room – Lambah and Priya Paul (Chairperson of Park Hotels) have more than met the challenge of preserving the site’s historical integrity, using authentic materials to restore its lost gran- deur by creating a visual palette that reflects the richness of Punjabi aesthetics. Sikh guards dressed in pearl-pink sherwanis welcome visitors like maharajas for their stay in one of 35 suites across garden courtyards.