Festooned with prestigious honours from the likes of Tatler and Conde Nast, this magnificent retreat is a luxurious desert camp in the scrubs of the beautiful Thar Desert. Set on a 100-acre private estate of indigenous desert, The Serai is an oasis for rest and rejuvenation. Spend a heavenly afternoon beside the stunning main pool, or delight in the Raison d'Etre Spa, the camp's serene setting offering a diverse menu of therapies and signature treatments. As a Relais & Chateaux property, quality is inherent. The 21 tents combine simplicity with contemporary and elegant styles effortlessly. Built on sandstone plinths, each stylish tent is extremely spacious, and comes with its own covered lounge and luxurious en-suite. For added luxury, the Luxury Tented Suites also have their own walled garden and a striking sunken dip pool, while the ultra-luxe Royal Tented Suite enjoys an outdoor pool, dining tent, a personal butler and its own private spa. Paying homage to its surroundings, The Serai serves a delicious fusion of local and western delicacies. Using home-grown, fresh ingredients, enjoy daily changing menus in the elegant dining tent, or if requested in advance, in any on-site location of your choice. For a refreshing aperitif or nightcap, head to The Bar, a cosy lounge decorated with deep club chairs and stylish interiors.
In the setting of a century-old reservoir, just over a dozen white tents sit harmoniously in the rural countryside of India. Built by local nobleman Thakur Chhatra Singh to harvest the monsoon water, the reservoir transformed the dry land to ideal farming terrain and now it is the setting of a boutique-style camp run by his great grandchildren. Echoing the luxurious tents of the Rajputs, local woven fabric with delicate floral motifs drape over the most comfortable beds for a tent fit for a king. Each has a private deck – perfect for sipping tea and watching the sunrise over the lake. With the exception of two tents which sit atop a hill, all of the tents are located directly on the dam, taking you right to the water's edge. Chhatra Sagar's dedication to the local community and its wonderful natural surroundings are shared with its guests in guided tours. Learn about the local flora and fauna on a guided nature walk, a subject on which the camp's hosts are impressively knowledgeable. Binoculars are handed out to guests and with over 200 species, birdwatchers are particularly in for a treat. You can also take a trip by 4x4 jeep to visit local farms and settlements of the Gujjar community for an insight into daily life in rural Rajasthan, a world away from the state's cities.
A Relais & Chateaux property, Jawai is one-of-a-kind breathtaking camp set in what feels like the middle of nowhere. Found among the granite hills between Jodhpur and Udaipur, these nine lavish tents make up a camp that is a far cry from the rustic wood-and-canvas affair. Brushed steel furniture sits among a monochrome palette in a style that might be found in a showroom. This is truly contemporary camping; the Jungle Book meets modern chic. There’s little surprise Jawai made the 2017 Condé Nast Travellers Gold List. The camp has little changed the landscape around it and that is certainly part of its appeal. Meals are served around the campfire or in the dining tent where you can get to know other guests, or for an intimate experience you can request private meals out in the bush or up on a granite kopje (a small flat hill) for gorgeous dinner views. Each tent’s furnishings are in the camp’s signature monochrome style and vividly accented with red. And private sit out allows you to easily soak up the locale’s rugged ambience. As night falls oil lamps are lit, giving the camp a tantalising glow. However, most captivating of all are the 4x4 game drives where you might spot monkeys, birds and – the camp’s key attraction – wild leopards. This truly is an unforgettable highlight on any Indian adventure.
In a bid to find refuge from the turmoil of his kingdom, the Maharaja Bakat Singh built a retreat within the walls of Ahhichatragarh Fort. In royal Rajasthani fashion, it was completed to the highest level of splendour and 20 years of recent UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award-Winning restoration have created a sprawling playground of history where you can stay in one of the ten restored ranis’ havelis (queens’ mansions). Experience life inside a royal hideaway as you wander around the fort’s grounds and discover pretty courtyards, rooms filled with elaborate motifs and colonnaded passages. Each haveli has two or three rooms and a private courtyard for quiet seclusion. The rooms are bursting with character; exposed stone features and authentic lattice screens take you back to the 18th-Century India while modern soft furnishings ensure a comfortable stay. At the indoor restaurant, you can sample Mughal/Indian/Rajasthani/Continental delicacies while the open-sided dining pavilion is a peaceful way to enjoy Indian and world cuisine. Venture outside the fort to visit the Nagaur town for a real taste of local life or take a guided tour and walk along the ramparts at this unforgettable place of noble history.
Given as a gift to Maharaj Ajit Singhji of Jodhpur, this former home is now a boutique heritage hotel, situated in the small village of Narlai. Lush foliage grows on the walls which are now weathered and faded but this only adds to the authentic charm of Rawla Narlai. The hotel stands at the foot of the monumental Elephant Hill, a giant rocky hill home to a white elephant statue which sits at the top. Climb the steps in time for sunrise or sunset for a fantastic view of the village and beyond. The 32 rooms are decorated with antiques, traditional hand block print furnishings and woven rugs, and while most rooms have since been beautifully coloured with ivory, powder blue and mint green, a few of the rooms at Narlai still have the old faded wall prints depicting people and flora. Or, stay in the exclusive Narlai Suite, where the royalty stay when they visit their home. The suite features two rooms with king-size beds and en suites and a splendid view of the Elephant Hill. A stay here isn't complete without the spellbinding 'Dinner at the Step-Well' experience. Set away from the hotel, the Baori, or step-well, is illuminated with hundreds of oil lamps and lanterns, where you can dine in splendour for a truly romantic experience.
In a tranquil setting located between Jaipur and Udaipur, Shahpura Bagh is an ideal stopover for travellers looking to experience the rural culture of Rajasthan. The lakeside estate, secluded within 45 acres, is a nature-lover’s dream. The 250 historic man-made lakes are ideal for birdwatchers and ramblers, and there are many hammock and charpoy spots for guests to relax beside the lakes. For those yearning for blissful relaxation, Shahpura Bagh comes complete with a stunning infinity pool, surrounded by sun loungers, cabanas, and a tented poolside bar for delicious, and well-needed, refreshments. The nature of the home-stay experience means that food is served in the dining room alongside the other guests and the Shahpura family, however if you are seeking a more intimate evening then you can choose to dine separately. Guests can enjoy dishes varying between Indian, continental and Rajasthani food, a regional delicacy that is authentically prepared over a wood-burning fire. All nine suites can be found within the ‘Umaid Niwas’ residence on the estate, a 19th-Century manor that was formerly used to entertain visiting nobility in the area. All suites are minimalistic in design, yet combine the perfect blend of luxury, modern comforts with antique furnishings and old-colonial charm.
The Serai, Jaisalmer
Chhatra Sagar, Nimaj
Jawai
Ranvas, Nagaur
Rawla Narlai
Shahpura Bagh
