India 15 - Rajasthan (Chapter)

(Steven Felgate) #1

Rajasthan


EASTERN


R AJASTHAN


Rajasthan


Sl EEP iNG


Rajasthan


JA iPUR


Atithi ̈Guest ̈House ̈ GUESTHOUSE $$
(%2378679; [email protected]; 1 Park
House Scheme Rd; s/d from ₹750/850, with AC
₹1300/1400; aiW) With slightly less char-
acter than its rivals, this spotlessly clean ho-
tel can feel a little sterile, but it’s the perfect
antidote to Jaipur’s dusty streets. It’s central
but peaceful, and the service is friendly and
helpful. There’s an immaculate kitchen and
restaurant (guests only), and you can also
dine on the very pleasant rooftop terrace.
Wi-fi is ₹75 per day.

Hotel ̈Arya ̈Niwas ̈ HOTEl $$
(%4073456; http://www.aryaniwas.com; Sansar Chandra
Marg; r from ₹1050, s/d with AC from ₹1150/1600;
aiW) Housed in a nicely renovated man-
sion hidden behind a scruffy four-storey
block, this is a popular travellers’ haunt,
with a travel desk, bookshop, yoga lessons
(₹100) and good-value massage treatments
(from ₹350). The clean rooms face an in-
ner courtyard and vary in layout and size so
check out a few. It’s a little drab in general,
but there’s a certain charm, not least be-
cause of the extensive colonial-style terrace
overlooking a soothing expanse of lawn in
front of the hotel’s excellent Chitra Cafe.

All ̈Seasons ̈Homestay ̈ HOMESTAY $$
(%9460387055; http://www.allseasonshomestayjaipur.
com; 63 Hathroi Fort; s ₹1150-1550, d ₹1250-1650)
Ranjana and her husband Dinesh run this
welcoming homestay in their lovely garden
bungalow on a quiet back street behind
deserted Hathroi Fort. There are only four
guestrooms but each is lovingly cared for
and one or two have basic kitchen facilities.
There’s a pleasant lawn area, home-cooked
meals and free internet.

Karan’s ̈Guest ̈House ̈ GUESTHOUSE $$
(%9828284433; http://www.karans.info; D-6 Shiv Heera
Path; r ₹1190) Sweet family-run guesthouse
(although the family lives down the road)
in a quiet residential part of town, but not
too far from all the restaurants on MI Rd.
Rooms are very spacious and homely and
come with air-con, TV and hot-water show-
ers. No internet and no restaurant, although
breakfast is provided.

Pearl ̈Palace ̈Heritage ̈ HOTEl $$$
(%2375242, 9414066311; http://www.pearlpalaceherit-
age.com; 54 Gopal Bari, lane 2; r ₹2000-2500;
aiW) The second hotel for the success-
ful Pearl Palace team is a more upmarket,
heritage-style property. As we’ve come to
expect from Mr Singh, the attention to de-

tail is fabulous, with privately commissioned
hand-carved panels in the corridors and
hand-painted murals in the rooms, which
are wonderfully spacious and individually
themed (Jaisalmer, Kutch, Indus etc). Each
room has its own computer plus free wi-fi,
tea/coffee makers, wall-mounted TV and
beautifully designed bathrooms.

Alsisar ̈Haveli ̈ HER iTAGE HOTEl $$$
(%2368290; http://www.alsisar.com; Sansar Chandra
Marg; s/d from ₹4680/6160; aiWs) Beau-
tifully renovated 19th-century haveli (this
one really is a genuine haveli, unlike many
namesakes) with immaculate high-ceilinged
rooms, elegant Rajput arches and antique
furnishings. If you can’t afford to stay here,
sample its atmosphere by coming for a dip
in the lovely garden pool (nonguests ₹
per hour).

4    Bani Park
Upmarket Bani Park is a relatively peaceful
area (away from the main roads, at least),
about 2km west of the Old City (₹50 in a cy-
cle rickshaw).

Hotel ̈Anuraag ̈Villa ̈ HOTEl $$
(%2201679; http://www.anuraagvilla.com; D249 Devi
Marg; s ₹600-1850, d ₹790-1850; aiW) This
quiet and comfortable option has no-fuss,
spacious rooms and a large tree-shaded
lawn where you can find some quiet respite
from the hassles of sightseeing. It has a rec-
ommended restaurant with garden seating
and open kitchen. Staff members are effi-
cient and helpful.

Madhuban ̈ HOTEl $$$
(%2200033; http://www.madhuban.net; D237 Behari
Marg; s/d from ₹1800/2000; aiWs) Elegant
Madhuban has cute and cosy rooms with
attractive wood furniture, and although
they are small for the price, this is a com-
fortable stay. The pool is tiny (OK for a
quick plunge, though), but the restaurant
is good, and you can sometimes eat out on
the lawn. Free wi-fi and pick-up from the
bus or train station.

Jas ̈Vilas ̈ GUESTHOUSE $$$
(%2204638; http://www.jasvilas.com; C9 Sawai Jai Singh
Hwy; s/d ₹3700/4000; aiWs) This small
but impressive hotel was built in 1950 and
is still run by the same charming family. It
offers 11 spacious rooms, most of which face
the sparkling courtyard pool. Three garden-
facing rooms are wheelchair accessible. In
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