Luxury meets history and tradition at the sprawling Fort Barwara in Rajasthan that dates back many centuries. This property was more than a decade in the making since it involved imbuing a 14th century citadel with all the trappings of modern conveniences while keeping its heritage intact. The result is a sprawling spa resort that spells both the magnificence of a bygone era and stately elegance.
Hotel
As I drive into the hotel, I feel I am stepping back in time, as the fort’s imposing walls effectively mask the modern touches of a luxury resort. I enter into the massive lobby to be welcomed by a traditional prayer that sets a soothing tone for my stay.
The resort has two palaces and two temples and the rooms are distributed over the east and west wings that overlook either the Aravali range, the hilltop Chauth ka Barwara temple or the Barwara lake. It lies a comfortable two-and-a-half hour drive from Jaipur’s airport and about four to five hours from the capital city, New Delhi.
The fort in this erstwhile princely state was constructed by the Chauhan dynasty 700 years ago and taken over by Rajawats in 1734. Prithviraj Singh, the grandson of Raja Man Singh of Barwara Fort, has restored it with renowned architects Parul Zaveri and late Nimish Patel overseeing its design.
Room
The 48 suites in eight different categories all come with elaborate archways and Rajasthani touches. The Aravali View suite, where I stayed, overlooks the hills and is a blend of the old and new. Its two rooms have wooden flooring, a traditional wooden chest and intricate latticework. Even the door handle, shaped like a hand in a yogic gesture, spells wellness. From a comfortable sofa seating next to a window, I enjoyed expansive views of the rugged Aravali range. The living room is equipped with a writing table, a sofa set facing the TV, the mini bar and espresso machine.
A four-poster bed lends the old-world touch while the massive bathroom comes with a bathtub and a shower cubicle and even an outdoor shower. But what I really appreciated was the comfort of an automatic toilet with a heated seat. All the amenities are in bathroom are sustainable – even the toothpaste tube has been replaced by a glass bottle filled with toothpaste tablets. The living room leads to a garden with a swing and comfortable seating.
Food and drink
At the main restaurant, The Cortile, which whips up a range of cuisines, I indulged in everything from local Rajasthani food to Italian and Mexican.
With sustainability and conservation of local traditions being a core philosophy here, much of the produce comes from their own organic garden or nearby farms. It is also a heart-warming experience to be served by women from the nearby village, who are employed to brew masala tea for breakfast and roll out rotis for lunch and dinner. I would look forward to interacting with ‘aunty’ who would sweetly pour me tea each morning and make the softest rotis for lunch slathered with ghee (clarified butter).
A poolside restaurant named The Rani Bagh which serves Middle Eastern fare is also popular. I tuck into some delicious lamb samosas and chicken shawarma. Being in Rajasthan, I had to sample a traditional thali (a meal on a plate with servings of several local dishes and breads) so I headed to Shikhar Burj, the highest terrace at the fort where a lovely table had been set up for a speciality dining experience. Gazing at the temple in the distance under the stars in the peaceful environs lends the food an extra flavour.
Spa
Wellness and Six Senses always go hand in hand, but the emphasis at this resort’s sprawling 30,000 square feet spa is on personalised healing and locally inspired spa treatments. The day I checked in, I had a consultation with Dr. Neeru Jain, the wellness director, who spent an hour with me understanding my health, lifestyle and then made me undergo a wellness screening. Based on the result, the spa treatment was chosen for me, which was Tiger’s Eye.
I walked into Zanana Mahal – the original female palace at the fort – where the treatment rooms are located. My therapy started with a meditative walk to the room and then I was taken through some basic exercises and stretching.
Tiger Eye’s stone and Rose Quartz were chosen for the treatment while the oil is infused with geranium, Kashmir lavender and Yang Ylang which I was told to leave on the skin to allow it to soak in. Sipping herbal tea along with a bowl of almonds and raisins following the treatment on a swing and admiring the old and original artwork on the walls ended the healing session. Its range of wellness programs on offer include Ayurveda and meditation.
To do
Visiting Ranthambore National Park, which is just 30 minutes away, is a no-brainer, but I skipped the safari because there is so much to do at this property that tearing yourself away is not easy.
Sustainability is the core of this hotel and sustainability director, Siddharth Chakravarty, makes sure guests learn about it in fun ways at the Earth Lab. From making my own lip balm, toothpaste, trying my hand at pottery to doing some block printing, I was busy getting my hands dirty the entire day. At the spa’s Alchemy Bar, I made my own face and body scrub from oats, brown sugar and lavender.
Of course, there’s a swimming pool and fitness centre and each evening I would see the sunset from the terrace with a cup of tea followed by hearing local musicians outside Cortile restaurant. They can even arrange for stargazing when it’s a clear night. I was lucky to see a lot of them.
The heritage and art walk reveals the fascinating history of the fort, the dynasties that ruled, the bravery of former kings and how it was finally restored. It gave me goosebumps to think I was staying at such a place.
In a nutshell
Six Senses Fort Barwara spells luxury and wellness all the way in a truly spectacular setting, but what sets it apart are how these work in tandem with local heritage. Indeed, experience here is not restricted to the architecture, but goes further to include the traditions, the cuisine and the famed craftsmanship of the local communities.
Factbox
Address: Chauth Ka Barwara Rajasthan
Phone: +91 9579889900
Email: reservations-fortbarwara@sixsenses.com
Website: sixsenses.com/en/resorts/fort-barwara
