As Pankaj, the owner of Victoria says: "Everything is possible here". If not, almost everything one could desire, can be fulfilled. Sometimes you don't even need to say it, you just have to think about it and Pankaj will provide you what you had in mind. As well, desert safaris can be planned, flight tickets booked, car rent, city useful information given. One of the new amenities that Pankaj added to his little hotel: broadband internet. His warm hospitality will make you forget sometimes that you are still in India. Probably, this is the kind of hospitality everybody search and hardly a few find.
Rooms are simple but neat and have something really worth, at 45ºC: AC. Inside the fort it is quite difficult to find a hotel with AC rooms, most are outside. We spent many days in Victoria hotel, one of the reasons is because it is quite difficult to leave it! For those who try to find his home abroad, this could be a good place.

Located at the Jaisalmer fort, Hotel Victoria is a small hotel run by Mr Pankaj Purohit and his friendly team. I have booked my stay with them (3 nights in April 2008) via their internet site, and their response was immediate (not very common in India, based on my experience…). Once there, I got a big, clean room with air conditioning, attached bathroom and a tiny window overlooking the western part of the city. Given the size of the hotel, and owner’s dedication to his guests, you feel really at home there. Breakfasts are cooked to order, and you can have your meals either downstairs, in the kitchen, or upstairs,on a rooftop terrace overlooking the city (great sunset views!). You are free to use the frigobar, which I found very handy, especially given the outside temperatures (above 40 deg C!). However, the best asset of that hotel is it’s outstanding staff. Following Mr Purohit’s favourite saying “everything is possible”, they can arrange whatever you need: an autorickshaw ride to the station or a visit of an astrologer... Anyway, all I can say is that a stay with them is highly recommended!

I have stayed at Hotel Victoria twice now. Once in 2003 before they were discovered by Lonely Planet, and again in December 2006. I would never stay anywhere else in Jaisalmehr! Pankaj and his team are the most friendly down-to-earth hoteliers that I found during my entire 6 month stay in India! Not only are the boutique hotel rooms spotless and tastefully decorated, many with incredible views, both the environment and atmosphere that they have created is refreshingly homely. It is truly a wonderful place to stay if you are on a budget, and even if you aren't. There was nothing better than to spend hours wandering the fruit markets and streets on the outskirts of the fort admiring the havelis and knowing that at the end of the day you can rest your feet on the roof terrace, admire the superb views, watch the sun set, and chat with Pankaj and his staff while enjoying a hot glass of chai and a plate of momos! Would I go there again? Without a doubt!

I stayed at Hotel Victoria for three nights. After reading the reviews here, I made my booking by calling them on the numbers given in their website. It's a wonderful place to stay in. Right along the Fort Boundary. Great Views and a a lovely terrace to hang out on and enjoy the view. Rooms are good size, Bathrooms are clean and well serviced. The staff is extremely helpful. And anything you need is made available even if they have to out of their way to help. The owner who's always there is very friendly and helpful. There is so much history (600 years +) inside the fort and in this hotel that staying anywhere else will not be a true Jaisalmer experience. I recommend this hotel very much.