Samode Haveli - Jaipur

A stunning 19th-century haveli, originally built for the noble Samode family, arriving at Samode Haveli is akin to taking a step back in time to the opulence of the Maharajas. The entrance is a vast sloped gateway, purposefully created to accommodate the family’s arrival atop ornately adorned elephants. The welcome today is no less impressive. Step through the towering doorway and you are immediately struck by the intricate design, palatial layout and serene atmosphere.

Despite being in the heart of Jaipur, the overwhelming sense here is of a calm retreat; from the tinkling fountain in its central courtyard to its palm-fringed pool and shaded restaurant overlooking the immaculate lawn, it is a haven to use as a base for exploring Jaipur. Rooms are large, high ceilinged and comfortable, set across the breadth of the haveli building, where hand-painted murals, carved doors and mirror mosaics echo the traditional Rajasthani design.

RAAS - Jodhpur

The first of the ever-impressive RAAS hotels, RAAS Jodhpur is a centrepiece among the city’s statement architecture. Dating back to the 18th century, the original Rajput haveli was purposefully built at the base of the Mehrangarh Fort, giving unsurpassed views of this architectural marvel, particularly at night. Redesigned as a hotel, it opened its doors in 2011 showcasing a breathtakingly stylish mix of restored haveli architecture and minimalist modern buildings sitting around a central pool courtyard.

Its location, right in the hub of this ancient blue city, makes for an immersive stay peppered with an oasis-like tranquility within rose-hued sandstone walls. The service is exemplary and dining here at the restored Baradari pavilion, with the ever-present backdrop of the fort, is a notable highlight of any visit to Jodhpur. Rooms are a statement to the iconic design where traditional carved shutters and sweeping arches sit gracefully alongside the sleek, clean lines of contemporary architecture.

Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel - Udaipur

Sariska Lodge – Sariska Tiger Reserve

Designed to evoke the atmosphere of traditional forest bothies, Sariska Lodge sits deep in the Aravalli Hills bordering both the Tehla Fort and Sariska Tiger Reserve. It’s a true haven of peace and tranquility where the focus is on slow mindful connection to the bountiful wildlife in these ancient hills. Built using local stone and reclaimed wood, the architecture echoes the regional style with carved jali screens, intricate archways and meandering pathways that lead to serene pools.

Rooms here are notably private and quiet, immersed in the surrounding woods and grasslands they offer fabulous views across to Thela Fort. A farm-to-table dining approach takes advantage of produce from the lodge’s organic onsite garden, while for nature-lovers the hotel offers a multitude of safari trips led by expert naturalists. You’ll find tiger spotting trips into Sariska Tiger Reserve, open-topped jeep drives around the Aravalli Hills on the hunt for leopards and a network of walking trails easing the viewing of the 200 bird species that call these hills home.

Mharo Khet – Thar Desert

Maro Khet is a luxurious farm-stay retreat on a working 40-acre organic oasis in the heart of the Thar Desert. It offers the chance to peek into the sustainable farming practices upheld by traditional desert communities, dine on impeccable local cuisine and benefit from a restoratively remote stay surrounded by date palms, fruit orchards and green fields. Rooms all offer expansive views out across the farm while being sleek, elegant and contemporary in design with eye-catching creative accents from local artisans. Each room boasts both a sunrise and sunset deck and a personal courtyard for meditation.

Guests are encouraged to connect with the local culture through hands-on cooking classes, guided farm tours, nurturing yoga sessions and plant-forward tasting menus. While there’s also plenty of time for lazing around the vast swimming pool, soaking up the melodic live music of the manganiyars or mindfully wandering among guava orchards.

Ramathra Fort – Aravalli Hills

A family-owned heritage hotel created within a 350-year-old hilltop fort, deep in the wilds of the Aravalli Hills. Ramathra Fort retains its Rajput grandeur and the hotel takes full advantage of its panoramic views out across Kalisil Lake and the Daang plateau. From its historic ramparts to its expertly restored palatial architecture, this hotel celebrates its heritage at every turn. Rooms are split between the fort’s main building and a selection of sophisticated, tented suites within the ramparts.

The main draw here is the quiet immersion in rural Rajasthan. The hotel’s owners go out of their way to share their passion for the region, offering countless activities including camel cart rides, sunset boating trips, guided village walks and wildlife drives to fully embrace you in the local culture and biodiversity. A stay here offers an authentic experience of life in rural Rajasthan and a chance for a moment of calm on a journey between the major cities of the state.

Niravi – Jaipur

A small but perfectly formed boutique hotel just 15 minutes from the centre of Jaipur, Niravi is a sensitively extended former private residence surrounded by stunning tropical gardens that encircle its outdoor pool. The calm, spacious and sun-dappled rooms here are beautifully decorated with hand-painted walls that celebrate the birdlife and planting in the gardens outside.

Wandering the garden paths and breathing in the heady scent of frangipani and bougainvillea brings a wonderful counterpoint to a busy day of sightseeing in the pink city. The property manages to exude the relaxed charm of a family home while offering a verdant design-led oasis. The three sisters who own the property are committed to sharing the true Jaipur spirit with their guests and are a font of knowledge and insider tips to those wanting to explore authenticity off the beaten track.

Daspan House – Jodhpur

Deep in the winding lanes of central Jodhpur, Daspan House is a sophisticated red-sandstone property converted from the owner’s family home. The traditional architectural features stand out here in testament to its heritage, with carved stone details, a central Mughal-inspired garden and vintage-inspired décor. You’ll find intricate chandeliers hanging alongside spiral staircases and the quirky Old Loco bar offering an array of traditional Indian spirits.

Each of the rooms is uniquely decorated but they all feature calming colour palettes and framed local artworks with large windows overlooking the gardens. The rooftop terrace is a highlight, where you can lounge by the pool, cocktail in hand, and watch the sun set over the neighbourhood rooftops. The hotel makes the most of its setting, offering both heritage walks across central Jodhpur and jeep safaris out to Bishnoi, where you’ll spot the rare black buck antelope as well as tracking chinkara, desert foxes and, between September and March, the migratory Demoiselle Cranes of Guda Lake.

RAAS Chhatrasagar – Nimaaj

Spanning the breadth of the dam at Chhatra Sagar reservoir, RAAS Chhatrasagar is a permanent tented, lakeside camp established to replicate the splendour of the Rajputs’ mobile safari, field camps. Other than the canvas walls, there’s little tent-like about these suites, with their hand-painted wall murals, vast beds, choir flooring, teak furniture and pristine crisp linens. Each has its own terrace overlooking the tranquil water of the reservoir, facilitating lazy birdwatching of the over 250 species found here, from kingfishers and flamingoes to storks and bee-eaters.

The atmosphere is of a serene retreat deep in the wilderness, enhanced by the encircling 1,500-acre estate and the luxurious facilities. Handily situated midway between Jaipur and Jodhpur, it’s a relaxing stop off on your journey between these two cities and an easy way to explore the wilder landscape. A stay here might see you enjoying a lake-side picnic, learning the art of traditional pottery, enjoying a kayaking adventure or heading into the hills on a wildlife safari. As night falls, the remote location provides the perfect spot for some serious stargazing.

Anopura - Jaipur

A sophisticated take on a rural Rajasthani farm, Anopura is a style-led sanctuary of suites, split between the main original farmhouse and the gardens that surround the pool. Rooms are calm, elegant and simple in their elegance, while the wellness studio complements the relaxing air with its broad Ayurvedic approach to treatments using local flowers and plants gathered from around the farm.

It’s a stay that’s immersed in the mindful connection between place and time, slowing your senses and encouraging a deep pause and appreciation. Farm-to-table cuisine leads the food offering here with ingredients sourced from the hotel’s organic farm and tables dotted between the cattle ranch and the serenity of the farmhouse dining room. Guests are encouraged to get involved in the daily rhythm of the farm ,with classes on organic farming and animal care on offer, alongside bush cooking sessions, morning temple aarti ceremonies and on foot or jeep-based safari adventures.