First came the story, then the hotel. Raffles Jaipur is the second Raffles to open in India. The first Raffles was the regal Raffles Udaipur, a modern-day gigantic palace. This is where fancy Indian weddings are the norm, and it’s a dazzlingly designed venue. Raffles Jaipur, less than half its size, was dreamed up as its complement. Instead of the bombastic grandeur required of a Maharaja, a modest alternative built like a Maharani’s private quarters.
Its charm is removed from prying eyes by lace-like jarred windows and a discreet tent-like entrance. “This is still a palace, but a reimagined palace,” says general manager Vinny Sebastian. “This has its own charm and we’re not going to compare ourselves to anyone else.”
Raffles Jaipur may not be overtly ostentatious, but it still leaves an impression.
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stay
Raffles Jaipur is located approximately 19 miles from the heart of the so-called Pink City, firmly planted on the outskirts of town. However, this secluded location doesn’t mean you’ll have extra space. This 50-room hotel is nestled between other internationally renowned hotels. But once inside, it’s easy to feel like a world apart.
Beautifully decorated rooms with high ceilings and sherbet hues have lantern-lit bathrooms with the intoxicating scent of madhumarti flowers, and terraces with private pools or outdoor stone walls. Comes with a bathtub. There are 17 temperature-controlled pools, including the rooftop pool, which is amazing for a city hotel.
All rooms also include Raffles’ signature butler service. Elegantly dressed in powder pink sherwani suits, these graceful courtiers were given hot baths with milk, honey, and Indian neem leaves to “offer tender care and relaxation” (in the words of one butler). and more to add instant magic to your indulgent treats.
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meal
Be it gold-plated, petal lace or saffron-scented, Raffles Jaipur is all about the finest cuisine. All-day fun and afternoon tea begin at Saphir, the golden atrium at the heart of the hotel. The highlight is the precisely brewed tea from the London Tea Exchange. (Try the Rajmata Jewel, made from one of the world’s rarest flowers, the so-called Royal Persian Pomegranate.)
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Alkar, an intimate all-day restaurant with amber glass chandeliers, serves North Indian dishes such as passriya, double-cooked bone-in lamb ribs “in the old Jaipur style,” shahi thukla, and milk-soaked cakes. We provide. Dating back to the Mughal era, roses from Pushkar are infused here.
(See also: Imperial New Delhi, review: Last hotel of its kind)
On the rooftop is Poolside Sehara, serving Mediterranean appetizers and Neapolitan pizza. And, of course, there’s the Writer’s Bar, hand-decorated in robin’s egg blue. This is a popular spot to enjoy Jaipur Sling. A spin on the Singapore Sling with Tanqueray No 10, orange liqueur, pineapple and local herbs. A concoction called Chandor Haas. “We sold over 400 bottles of Sling last month,” Sebastian says, and it has already become a must-try tipple in the city.
relax
The spa and gym are located on the basement level of Raffles Jaipur. Decorated with Rajasthani block-print curtains and dim lighting, the spa uses Ayurvedic-based subtle energy products and consists of one couple’s room and three additional rooms, all with It comes with a private shower and steam room (additional rooms will be opening soon). There is also a Turkish-style hammam with heated white and black marble and a hot spring pool exclusively for spa guests.
This quirky yet elegantly book-decorated gym is open 24 hours a day and offers free morning yoga, HIIT, and Pilates classes. Evening classes are also available for an additional fee.
explore
A one-hour flight or four-hour drive (depending on traffic) from Delhi, Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is a haven of colonial-era luxury. Don’t miss Amber Fort (circa 1135 AD, enjoy lunch in its ornate restaurant). A city palace complex with a portico. and Hawa Mahal, the city’s most Instagrammed honeycomb palace.
There are two chic spots. Check out The Palace Atelier, one of the coolest concept shops in the city, and visit the Rajasthan Polo Club, which has a new gold and green interior.
Landmark rooms start at $636 per night. Contact: reservations.jaipur@raffles.com, +91 1426 355 555, raffles.com
