Fairmont Jaipur

In the month of August I was invited to stay at the beautiful and luxurious Fairmont Jaipur by Rajiv Kapoor, the General Manager. The hotel organized for Tarun Singh Kanwar, (the butler assigned to my suite) to welcome me at the airport. On arrival I was impressed by the traditional Rajasthani welcome accorded at the entrance. The beat of drums and a shower of petals, along with the arrival experience which resonates with history succeeded in mesmerizing 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.

Rajiv Kapoor-General Manager, Fairmont Jaipur

Director of Operations Amit Sangwan and Front Office Manager Sukhpreet Bath who i met first were really warm and welcoming. As I checked in to my gorgeous suite, it was a delight to see my photo in a beautiful frame and personalized amenities such as chocolates. Atasi from the food and beverage team came into my suite with a trolley laden with tempting high tea goodies. Next I visited the popular Ruhab spa where I was offered a 90 minute treatment based on my zodiac sign. This is the only hotel in India that offers an interesting spa therapy related to star signs.

Ruhab Spa

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.

Zoya

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. I was served the irresistible Rajasthani thaali during lunch in this beautiful restaurant which I enjoyed in the company of Deputy Director of Sales & Marketing Indu Khatri and Roza Rafik from the marketing team. Chef Romit from the culinary team dished up delicious Bengali food on request for me at dinner showcasing his mother’s authentic Bengali recipes !

reception

In the morning, 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. During my stay the hotel’s housekeeping team led by Executive Housekeeper Shamoyel Ozair created an amazing ambience in the hammam style bathtub in my suite’s bathroom and I enjoyed this exotic experience. The bathtub was filled with beautiful flowers, slices of sweet lime and I sipped on sparkling wine while immersing myself in this gorgeously decorated bathtub.

sunset lions

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.

Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager Fairmont Jaipur said, “Fairmont Jaipur is a stunning palace which specializes in curating unforgettable memories for every guest. With a surge in domestic travel in the recent times, we are proud to offer safe and hygienic stays certified with Accor’s ALLSAFE label. From delectable cuisine to plush guestrooms; from expansive hammam-style bathtubs to a dedicated spa, Ruhab; from evening high tea featuring the finest local entertainment to a specialized children’s play area, ‘Tingar’, the palace offers something for each traveler. It is our endeavor to turn moments into memories for every guest and with my winning team, I am confident of building genuine connections and exceeding expectations of all travelers.”

hammam style bathtub in suites

It was interesting to notice parrots painted on the walls of the hotel, embroidered on cushions and carved in the furniture of the hotel. 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. 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 Rajasthani cuisine, 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