Jaipur, capital of India’s Rajasthan, is a city that crackles with boundless energy. Dubbed India’s Pink City (the walls of every building were painted a bright shade of terracotta to welcome Queen Victoria and Prince Albert back in 1876), this historic hive is chock-full of ancient forts and intricate palaces. Cows freely roam the streets, and there’s a constant cacophony of sounds around each corner: horns beeping, locals haggling at the markets, and jalebi sizzling away at roadside vendors.
Experiencing the city is intoxicating, though can feel like an assault on the senses for first-time visitors — so we’d recommend bedding down a little farther from the flurry if you want a more peaceful trip. Enter The Oberoi Rajvilas, an oasis of calm nestled just outside the walled old town: as soon as you step inside its manicured grounds, and are sprinkled with a smattering of rose petals — Oberoi's signature welcome for all guests — you’ll feel a world away from the wonderful chaos outside.
Where?
Like most of Jaipur’s five-star pads, The Oberoi Rajvilas skirts the Old Town, removed from the bustle of the city. It’s an easy 20-minute drive through the walls of the Pink City and into the fray — and a leisurely 35 minutes from Jaipur’s international airport.
Style
Replicating a formidable ancient fort, the 32-acre hotel is centred around a 300 year-old Shiva temple, with foliage-framed pathways snaking to villas hidden among the thicket. There are vast pools of water draped in layers of lily pads, an army of 100 peacocks casually meander among the flora, and the fragrant waft of frangipani blossom lingers throughout.
Rooms (ranging from villas to luxury canopied tents) are clustered together in small clutches and laid out around trickling fountains, with pointed arches and doorways awash in bold strokes of orange, mirroring the hand-painted details of Jaipur’s famous palaces.
Facilities
You’ll find the hotel’s peaceful spa housed inside a former Rajasthani mansion, where a fusion of Ayurvedic and Western therapies will leave you feeling entirely renewed. Feel yourself melt during soothing Himalayan rice scrubs and jasmine and tea tree facials before making a circuit of the heated jacuzzi and sauna. There’s also a gym kitted out with slick tech, and a generous pool lined with The Oberoi’s signature mustard-yellow parasols for spread-eagling yourself underneath.
Extracurricular
A visit to Jaipur’s City Palace should be your first priority, where you can marvel at its exquisite doorways and pavilions, all resplendent in shimmering marble and kaleidoscopic colours. Next, head to the Palace of Winds, before snapping plenty of Instagram fodder at colourful Patrika Gate.
Jaipur is famed for its gold craftsmanship and hand-block printing, so wander through The Gem Palace to ogle at priceless jewels before sifting through textiles at the various markets, including Kishanpole Bazar.
Back at The Oberoi Rajivilas, sunrise hot air balloon rides over the city, trips to nearby leopard safari parks, and cooking classes can all be arranged. We would advise booking these in advance, although they can be organised on arrival, depending on availability.
Gourmands should book the hotel’s afternoon tea experience at Nayla Fort, the private residence of the Oberoi clan situated on the outskirts of Jaipur, where you can nibble delicious Indian sweets while the sun sets over the city.
Food & drink
For all-day dining, Surya Mahal’s global menu offers a mix of Western favourites and authentic Indian dishes. Come evening, feast on traditional Rajasthani cooking at upscale Rajmahal, where you’ll dine under the stars within a lantern-lit courtyard with folk musicians setting the mood.
For breakfasts, start your day back at Surya Mahal, where the chefs will whip up anything from flakey homemade paratha to Parsi scrambled eggs.
Which room?
All of the hotel’s 71 rooms are scattered across the estate. Inside, spaces gleam with marble surfaces and choice textures of rattan and silk: think sweeping four-posters swathed in linen, cushioned window seats, and sunken bathtubs.
For the ultimate sleepover, opt for one of the larger villas which boast their own pools set within lush, private gardens. As is The Oberoi way, homemade treats will be waiting for you, along with personalised gifts at turndown each evening.
Best for...
Friends, loved-up couples, and families exploring Jaipur for the first time.
The details
Nightly room rates start from £750. oberoihotels.com
