During my recent visit to Jaipur, I was invited to stay at the beautiful and luxurious Fairmont Jaipur. On arrival I was impressed by the traditional Rajasthani welcome accorded at the entrance. The sound of gongs and a shower of petals, along with the arrival experience which resonates with history managed to mesmerize me.
As I was led through massive wooden doors of the arched gateway, into the palace courtyard and beyond the grand hall of the reception area, where the court nobles waited for an audience with their prince, I could not help but stare at awe at the beauty of the surroundings. The adjacent lobby was once the Diwan-e-Aam or Durbar Hall, a magnificent and lavishly decorated area where formal and informal meetings were held.
The hotel’s team comprising of Dharam Singh, Eshita Roy and Ritu Joshi were really warm and welcoming. As I checked in to my room, it was a delight to see my photo in a beautiful frame and personalized amenities such as chocolates. The 5 senses Welcome is a unique welcome experience that succeeds in invigorating each of the five integral senses.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ first property in India, Fairmont Jaipur is a luxury hotel that showcases Jaipur’s rich and storied heritage. The property has been created with the overarching influence of the Rajput and Mughal Dynasty and is a sensitive re-imagination of a traditional palace fort.
Fairmont Jaipur manages to take one back successfully into history with the design of its grand spaces, to the liberal use of green spaces and gardens throughout the property and the inclusion of pavilions as a key architectural feature. The best part about the Fairmont Jaipur is that it is steeped in a rich and privileged heritage and yet is effortlessly modern, thus striking a perfect balance between the two elements.
Lunch consisted of a delicious tiffin served in my room and created by the hotel’s talented sous chef Ajinkya Shettye. Zoya, the all-day dining restaurant is a fabulous place to enjoy world cuisine with a dedicated section of Rajasthani fare highlighting heritage dishes from the royal households.
The restaurant has five distinct dining areas ranging from the luxury tent with hues of blue and silver in the main dining area to the lily pond dining space which is an outdoor setting highlighted by the romance of dining under the stars. But it is the quintessential Dabba Service that is the best part about this restaurant and one must enjoy the royal Dabbas which are food carriers.
Eshita took me around the hotel for a show around and it was exciting to understand that most places in the hotel have unique stories linked to them. In the evening, I had tea in the Executive lounge where the chef also created a tempting high tea menu for me consisting of progressive Indian cuisine. Next morning I visited the popular spa where I was offered a treatment based on my zodiac sign. This is the only hotel in India that offers an interesting spa therapy related to star signs.
After a relaxing 90 minute massage, it was time for a hearty breakfast in the hotel’s coffee shop. To my delight there was a musician sitting outside the restaurant playing the flute, I couldn’t help standing there for a few minutes and enjoying his soulful tune. Lunch was a traditional Rajasthani non vegetarian thaali. Over a sumptuous high tea, I enjoyed an interaction with the friendly Interim General Manager Vishrut Gupta.
In the evening the hotel’s team created a beautifully romantic set up in the outdoor area where I had an early dinner. Flowers and lamps created a really exotic feel to the location and I felt surreal sitting there in the midst of so much beauty all around.
The formal garden outside the lobby lounge features a large reflective pool spilling over the rough hewn stone walls to cool the guests and is lit by flames at night. Intimate conversation pits on either side of the swimming pool called “Chaupad” sink into the lawn, and feature a fire pit surrounded by cushioned bench seating in the pit walls.
It was interesting to notice parrots painted on the walls of the hotel, embroidered on cushions and carved in the furniture of the hotel, there was a wooden parrot hanging in my beautiful room as well. All 245 guestrooms in the hotel reflect royalty at it’s best what with lobed arches and the use of strong colours like distressed gold and rich turquoise.
Tasteful timber furniture and Portuguese colonial-inspired four poster beds, a low Mughal-style day bed/sofa and a spacious bathroom, which is entered through glazed sliding door panels, each featuring a traditional ornately patterned screen make a stay at Fairmont Jaipur memorable.
Those who enjoy sightseeing can visit the Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Jantar Mantar observatory. Local artisans specialize in creating beautiful textiles, particularly rich, stamped fabrics, as well as jewellery. There are adventurous activities such as elephant rides or a game of elephant polo as well.
Fairmont hotels worldwide offer elevating experiences that are authentic to the destination. While at Fairmont Jaipur I experienced delicious high tea, traditional entertainment and dancing in the courtyard, authentic spa treatments and came back mesmerized with the local flavor of the beautiful city that is Jaipur. Definitely worth several visits!
Address: 2, Riico, Kukas, Rajasthan 303101, India
Phone: +91 1426 420 000
Website: fairmont.com/jaipur
