You know that feeling when a place starts feeling like your second home and withdrawals start kicking in the night before your departure? Yes, that pretty much sums up the level of attachment this writer had at her two-day staycation at Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur. In the outskirts of Jaipur, the much-loved Anantara Hotels & Resorts chain opened their first sanctuary in India and it certainly upholds the level of hospitality and love that spotlights culture and warmth.
As you set foot on their front porch, you are taken aback by the magnificence of yellowstone that surrounds you, and the khatirdaari that awaits you when you are greeted by smiling faces. Your grand welcome starts with nagadas being beaten in full swing, bhavai dancers welcoming you on your way inside and a warm team garlanding you. Post quenching your thirst with the welcome drink, expect to feel giddy as you take in all the grandeur the lobby and the waiting area has to offer; with magnificent art works inspired by our heritage, thikri work and jaali windows reminiscent of Rajasthan's architecture.
Our sanctuary at Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur's palace-inspired estate was the Deluxe Family Room — spacious, cosy and equipped with a jacuzzi to unwind in. The bathroom, though a little small, has all the amenities to keep you sorted with soft towels and quality toiletries. There's ample closet space to hang your clothes and their quick house-keeping team is more than happy to help you with the same in case you need. The room again has paintings and embroidered cushions representative of the city's vibrancy, a peep of subtle touches that keep reminding you of the colouful city you are visiting.
Post settling in, our plan of action was to grab a light meal at Amrit Mahal, their all-day dining venue adjacent to their swimming pool. We were treated to a lovely Asian fare where we hogged on soft dim sums and flavoursome soba noodles to replenish our energy levels, all ready to hit that 10K step count wrapped in the cause of exploring the beautiful property.
After taking a stroll in the Bawdi Bagh, a beautifully done lawn space set alongside the pool, we get changed for our spa session at the Anantara Spa. With ayurveda-inspired healing practices backed by Thai practices (Anantara's homeland), your rejuvenation journey starts with a cup of tea made with a special blend that sets the tone for the pampering you are going to indulge in. The full-body massage we got pumped new life into our mind, body and soul. Big ups to the experienced staff for making it so comfortable and personalised.
Now, after sweating it out in the steam room, we got dressed for our next meal at Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur's grandest venue, Rang Mahal. From corner to corner, inch to inch, this vast space is hand painted murals and mosaics depicting our cultural heritage with the use of real gold for all the detailing. The ballroom itself took about two years and half to be completed, and is representative of a tapestry of Indian grandeur. You sit under the chandelier's glare that puts on a glistening show when the light reflects on all that gold. Moving to the food, the 'Designer Dining' experience enables you to enjoy a slew of curated meals, each one different from the other and spread across cuisines. We indulge in a fancy Continental tasting menu that starts with a lovely pistachio-crusted watermelon offering as the amuse bouche and ends with entremets for dessert. We end our night with a walk down to the Jai Bagh, the main outdoor space on the second floor where you can catch the main Anantara yellowstone facade looming behind with the lit jharokas, jaali work and carvings contrasting beautifully against the night sky. Your view is completed by the Amer Bagh garden below which is the most expansive lawn they have.
The next day, we start our day with a Rajasthani breakfast thali with all the OGs (that mirchi vada still visits us in our dreams) and an assortment of chutneys that are made fresh on a silbuttah and hit different. We get in some cardio at the gym followed by a relaxing dip in the pool.
As the clock strikes lunch-o-clock, we are welcomed for a South Indian meal with a modern flair. Think dosa tacos and deconstructed sambar rice that hit home with the flavour and spice notes, everything is snazzy, unique, and ever so different.
Next up, our evening is spent at Rajputana Chowk, participating in Anantara's global concept, 'Spice Spoon' culinary class where we learn to make Pushkar Gulab Kheer from the chefs. We are told, each Anantara property hosts this experience for the guests with different recipes special to the location as a way of celebrating the culture and helping guests feel more familiarised with the same.
After snoozing for a few hours, we find ourselves at the Sheesh Mahal, another of Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur's notable dining spots that is inspired from Amber Fort's spectacle of the same name. Draped in thikri work done with upwards of three lakhs of reflective stone pieces, this space comes alive as these very stones shimmer under the glimpse of lighting. Our meal here makes us all giddy with lost recipes from the state up for grabs. You start with snacking on Bikaneri Hummus (yes, made with Bikaneri Bhujia) and Hara Cholia Hummus with tiny bits of pappads. Then comes in the Silbuttah Paneer and Besan Ke Kebab for appetisers. For the main event, enters the gorgeous thaal with Khadi Palak, Jodhpuri Paneer Papad, Lal Maas, Paan Aur Khus Ka Khas Murgh (which was out of this world) and lots more goodness. You best believe, we literally 'ate and left no crumbs' cause the food was that delicious! A constant pattern you can appreciate at Anantara is the dedication to serving food that wins over everyone with the use of fresh ingredients, interplay of traditional and modern recipes and creativity that most hotel chains tend to over look to play it safe with different palates.
The dedicated staff leaves no stone unturned to ensure you receive top-notch treatment — be it the digestive kadha placed on your bedside at night or block-printed robes placed on your bed to be taken back home as a reminder of your time at this palatial property, they are super prompt and one step ahead.
On the day of check out, we found ourselves packing our stuff with a full heart as our time playing princess at this palace was coming to the end but, we could tell it was just an indication to be back soon.
Approximate Tariff Per Night: INR 18,900 onwards (approx.)
Google Rating: 4.6/5
