Jaipur’s hotel makes it to TripAdvisor’s list for best service.

TripAdvisor – The travel and restaurant website has just released its list of World’s Hotels for best services. And, one of the hotels of India, in Rajasthan- Jaipur just made it to their list.

Jaipur is loved by travelers and tourists all over the world for its enchanting beauty, but one more thing that makes the Pink City stand out is its sincere warm welcome to everyone who stops in the city. Yet again Jaipur has proved its hospitality-  the exquisite Oberoi Rajvilas has made it to the list of the hotels for best service and landed on the 21^st position.

The Oberoi Rajvilas is an alluring property located in Jaipur, with its ethereal gardens spread over 32 acres, along with reflection pools, and majestic traditional architecture. The hotel will make you fall in love with its awe-inspiring interior which offers lavishing rooms and villas, crystal chandelier lit fine dining space, air-conditioned fitness centre, relaxing spa treatments and when the day ends the most breath-taking sunset experience.

So, next time you are in the Pink City, you know what will make your stay even more worth remembering as you will be treated like the Maharajas and Maharanis.

The Great Indian Travel Bazaar’18 Starts Tomorrow

Rajasthan – a state where if you visit once, you cannot take your eyes off. The state of Rajasthan has always something new to offer every time you visit. The different places of tourist interests along with its picturesque beauty have made Rajasthan an important international tourist destination.

With the enormous increase in the inflow of tourists during the last one year, the tourism industry in India has seen a drastic change. Here is another chapter of Great Indian Travel Bazaar (GITB) 2018 taking place in the fabled Pink City from April 22 to April 24.  The event is being organized by the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Rajasthan; Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). It is supported by leading national and regional associations like Hotels & Restaurant Association of Rajasthan (HRAR), Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) and Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO).

Apart from the host state – Rajasthan, Tourism departments of 9 other states – Gujarat, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Punjab and Tamil Nadu are also participating. The main focus during the 3-day travel bazaar will be on inbound tourism. Inbound tourism generally refers to, when a person travels from his/her home to another country for not less than 24 hours and not more than a few months for leisure. The 10th edition will host B2B meetings with over 280 tour operators from around 55 countries.

During the exhibition, do not miss the special showcase of the luxurious train ‘Palace on Wheels’ by the Rajasthan Tourism Department on 23 April at Durgapura Station, Jaipur.

Inaugural Session:22 April’18 at The Lalit, Jaipur

Exhibition: 23-24 April’18 at JECC Jaipur, Jaipur

Soak Into The Colourful Festival Of Gangaur With Shahpura, Near Jaipur

Rajasthan boosts not only in its history and heritage but its beauty reflects in its sparkling deserts, monuments and colorful festivals. On this note, we will take you to one of the most beautiful festivals of Rajasthan – GANGAUR, which truly embodies the spirit of diversity.

Gangaur is one of the most colorful & auspicious festivals of Rajasthan – celebrating spring, harvest & marital fidelity. While ‘Gana‘ is another name for Lord Shiva, ‘Gaur‘ symbolises Gauri aka Parvati, his wife, also an epitome of marital bliss. The 18-day festival is observed by both married & unmarried women where they fast, women dress up in red bandhani sarees and turban clad men worship the clay idols of Isar & Parvati.

When the bright skies have ushered in the festive season of spring, the remote town of Shahpura, located 65 km from the capital Jaipur, came culturally alive when the pious deities of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata were regally taken around the streets and worshipped with vigour & devotion by both men and women.  The Shahpura Gangaur Festival, hosted at Shahpura Haveli was organized by Rani Ratna Kumari Foundation in association with the Rajasthan Tourism Department.

On the day of Gangaur, the celebration began with the married & unmarried woman; all dressed in colorful Rajasthani attires worshipped idols of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata at the Shahpura Haveli. It was a spectacle to see the idols being gloriously taken to Rawla Moti Mahal, where the great Gangaur Mahotsav was organised. The major attractions of Shahpura Gangaur Festival were the cultural performances of local artists & folk musicians of Rajasthan, several kinds of regional nritya (dances) like Mayur, Nritya, Masak Nritya, Behpang Nritya, magician performance, horse show, and other traditional games & competitions. Artists from various parts of the country namely Udaipur, Deeg, Jodhpur, Haryana, Punjab performed magnificently oozing talent with their euphonic tunes and twinkle toes. The royal family of Shahpura also participated in the festival. The Rani Ratna Kumari Foundation Trust, which works for the upliftment of the downtrodden sections of this small village of Shahpura also felicitated the local artisans in a ceremony.

Pic courtesy- Anudeep Mathur

The grand procession of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata began with all its regal pomp and pageantry at 5 p.m. from Rawla Moti Mahal. Both men & women could be seen beaming in colors of Rajasthan.  The procession passing through the vivid markets of the town, encompassed horses, camels, traditional folk dancers, brass bands from Punjab, lancers etc. along with the pious deities of Gangaur Mata ji and Bhagwan Isar ji Maharaj, finally converging at the newly restored Gopinath Temple. The town was seen teeming with both foreign nationals and domestic tourists rejoicing the festivities.

Pic courtesy: Anudeep Mathur

Celebrated with great pomp and show, Shahpura Gangaur Festival gave visitors and tourists a spectacular opportunity to observe Rajasthan’s magnificent culture from close quarters. We are already waiting for next year to witness such a splendid event in a all its royal glamour. Are you?

 

 

Experience Ranthambore Festival at Nahargarh Palace

Ever wondered what life would be like in some other state than the one you’re currently living in? What if we told you that a grand festival is waiting in an old palace somewhere in the deserts of Rajasthan for you to truly witness what living in Rajasthan feels like?

It’s not just a bunch of turbans or camels we’re talking about. It’s about everything that makes Rajasthan the colourful and celebrated desert it is.

Ranthambhore Festival in the Nahargarh Palace of Ranthambhore has for you a three day carnival to get into the spirit of Rajasthan and admire the beauty of the state while closely experiencing the quintessence it is made of.

Imagine yourself in  a palace, attending music concerts and watching documentaries, eating lavishly some regal supper, learning new art, talking to people from different countries,  sitting under the stars and venturing into the forest nearby. Can’t get any better, right? Indulge in the collaboration of art, music, dance, food, cinematography, adventure and intellectual activities and shopping at the Ranthambhore Festival on the 19th, 20th and 21st of January.

The festival has activities enough for you to remain in awe of the exquisiteness of the humble state. A festival for you to experience, learn and take back with you the art of the state with activities like drum circle, folk instrument classes and performances, meditation and yoga, hot air ballooning, open mic, culinary venture, musical performances from around the globe, documentary screening, music and nature conservation, bicycle tour of Ranthambore’s environs,  souk, mid-night star gazing session, traditional block printing workshop,  pottery workshop and the most esteemed  Royal Secret Supper.

If this doesn’t make you pack your bags right away, we don’t know what will.

 

Date-19, 20 and 21 January

 

Venue– Nahargarh Palace, Ranthambhore, Rajasthan.

Getting there- By Air

The closest airport is Jaipur, which is 160 kms from Nahargarh Palace, Ranthambore. Jaipur is well connected to all metros with daily flights operated by Indigo, Go Air, Jet Airways, and Indian Airlines. Once you land, you can take a prepaid airport taxi or a private taxi to Ranthambore. This will cost you approximately Rs 2500.

By Train (Recommended)

Sawai Madhopur station is only three kilometers (ten minutes drive) from Ranthambore and is well connected to almost every city in India by superfast trains, being the most important railway junction in Rajasthan.

By Road

Ranthambore is well connected with all major highways and if you’re planning a road trip, here’s what you need to know. Jaipur to Ranthambore 180 Km (Approx. 3h via Rajasthan State Hwy 24) Delhi to Ranthambore- 381 Km(Approx. 6 Hours via NH8 and NH 11A) Mumbai to Ranthambore – 1031 Km (Approx. 16 h 51 min via NH 3) Udaipur to Ranthambore- 388 Km (Approx. 6h 10 min via NH 76 and RJ SH 29) Agra to Ranthambore- 239 Km (Approx. 4h 23 min via via RJ SH 1) Ahmedabad to Ranthambore – 640 Km (Approx. 9h 47 min via NH8 and NH 76)

 

Jaipur’s Rambagh Palace Ranks Amongst the 50 Best Hotels in the World

Jaipur’s Rambagh Palace has been ranked amongst “50 Best Hotels & Resorts in the world” in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2017. The hotel has ranked no. 25 in the World and ranked no. 2 in India with a total score of 98.38 out of 100 marks.

More than 3,00,000 travelers took part in the 30th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey. Millions of ratings and more than 100,000 comments were used. The data was then analyzed to create a list of winning favourites that are shaping travel across different categories that include castles, safari camps, hotels, river cruises and islands among others.

The list features the top-rated newcomers and stalwarts known for providing authentic, personalized and unexpected experiences for their travelers. Among the hotels the Palace has been rated highly for its commitment to quality across facilities, location, service, food, and overall value for money.

The General Manager, Rambagh Palace, Mr. Manish Gupta said that Rambagh Palace has always been a consistent testimony of trust among its guests. We thank all of them who voted for us. This award will further inspire the iconic hotel to reach new milestones.

It is to be noted that this year Rambagh Palace was also rated among top 100 hotels in the world by ‘Travel + Leisure Readers Travel Awards 2017’. The Palace also ranked 16th in India in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards and was rated among top 10 Heritage Hotels in the world by Travel Weekly, UK for the year 2017.

Rambagh Palace is a living legend in Jaipur. It is to be recalled that originally built in 1835, Rambagh Palace, Jaipur has stepped gracefully through many royal transitions. In the finest tradition of Rajput hospitality, the Rambagh Palace offers its guests a taste of royal living – a luxury and extravagance that was once the sole preserve of kings. Its elegantly appointed rooms, marbled corridors and majestic gardens echo with history.

7 Resorts to Stay and Cherish Pushkar Camel Fair

Pushkar Camel Fair is the kind of event that everyone wants to be a part of. The whole feeling of this small city becomes magnetic and the charm of the fair is unavoidable. Being an attractive hotspot, Pushkar has hotels and resorts for every budget. Not only that, there is so much variety that you will be spoilt for choice. Resorts have outpaced regular hotels in terms of popularity and so we have put together a list of the Best Resorts in Pushkar for you-

1.Aaram Baagh

The name literally translates to ‘Garden of Rest’ or ‘Pleasure Garden’. In old times, kings used to take a break and go to a secluded and beautiful place with their queens. This trip was meant for relaxation and the royals used to have all the luxuries there. Aaram Baagh is inspired from that. This is a very special resort as it lets you live the regal life of 4 different countries. There are Arabian, Egyptian, Greek and Persian themed villas to choose from. Pick whatever you fancy and get set for a unique experience at Aaram Baagh Pushkar.

Website- http://www.aarambaaghpushkar.com/

2.Pushkar Resorts

Designed to reflect the various moods of the land of Brahma Temple, this is one of the oldest resorts in the city. There are 40 cottages at Pushkar Resorts surrounded by fruit orchards. The lush green landscape and view of Aravalli mountain range from the resort make the stay more appealing.

Website- http://www.sewara.com/

3.Westin Pushkar Resort and Spa

Choose this if you are looking for modern vibes rather than traditional Rajasthani style. Here you will get all the comforts amidst the breathtaking Aravalli mountains.

Website- http://www.starwoodhotels.com/

4.Dera Masuda

The fusion of Raj Days and contemporary chic at Dera Masuda in Pushkar make it an ideal destination for the luxury travelers. The property belongs to the erstwhile royals of Masuda and the imperial touch is visible here. Enjoy sundowners or relax by the pool-side in this resort overlooking the Savitri Temple.

Website- http://deramasuda.com/

5.Ananta Spa and Resorts

The resort promises to give you a fairy tale experience. The 5-star property has 52 contemporary cottages and 20 rooms. There are 2 outlets for in-house dining and you get a well-equipped recreational room for yourself and a kids’ activity area too. The resort also has a luxurious spa where you can indulge after a tiring day at the Pushkar camel fair.

Website- http://www.anantahotels.com/pushkar-hotels/pushkar.php

6.Jagat Palace

Furnished in art-deco style, Jagat Palace has 82 rooms and all of them come with a balcony from where you can enjoy the view of the famous Naag Parbat. The comforts here are reminiscent of royal days; each room has Jacuzzi. When here, don’t miss the Kerala Ayurvedic Massage.

Website- http://hotelpushkarpalace.com/jagat-palace-rooms/

7.The Gateway Resort

Though geographically located in Ajmer, the location of the resort at Pushkar bypass makes it pretty close to Pushkar. The resort is magnificent and each room has a balcony that comes with a swing so that you can unwind by swaying to the beats of nature.

Website- https://gateway.tajhotels.com/en-in/the-gateway-hotel-ajmer/

Where are you planning to stay at Pushkar this time?

Alsisar Haveli from Jaipur Wins the Title of Best Historic Hotel in Asia/Pacific

That Rajasthan has some of the best luxury hotels not only in India but globally is a well known fact. These beautiful hotels keep getting prestigious awards which adds to the recognition. For the recent Best Historic Hotels Worldwide hotel in Asia/Pacific by Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide, 2 well-known hotels from Rajasthan were nominated. These were-  Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur and Laxmi Niwas Palace, Bikaner. Alsisar Haveli was the proud winner of 2017 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence.

Alsisar Hotel, Jaipur

Both the heritage hotels offer an indulgent experience to their guests. Other nominated hotels were from Philippines, Japan, Vietnam and Singapore. This is certainly a moment of pride for the state tourism.

Laxmi niwas palace, Bikaner

Rajasthan tour operators are visiting Heritage Hotels to offer fresh royal tours in the state

Rajasthan is globally acclaimed for its historical forts monuments and luxury palaces that narrate the fascinating story about its kings and kingdom. Most of the majestic fort and palaces have been converted into luxury heritage hotels and resorts.

These palace hotels offer to see and experience the grandeur of Rajasthan’s regalia to its visitors from different parts of the world. So as to promote the nuances and renovations in various heritage properties in the recent past, a group of 8 prominent tour operators of Rajasthan went on a FAM Tour to a large number of heritage properties in the State.

 

It is expected that this will enable the tour operators to market these properties more effectively to the tourists and visitors, as informed by the Senior Vice President, Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO), Mohan Singh Mertiya.

The visit of the tour operators has been organized by RATO along with the Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA). The group will visit Shekhawati (Nawalgarh; Alsisar, Mandawa) Bikaner; Jodhpur, Rohet, Pokaran and then reach Jaisalmer on September02, 2017 for the IHHA Annual Convention. At the IHHA Convention the tour operators will have B2B meetings with heritage property owners.

Beginning their tour from Jaipur on August30, 2017, the tour operators have already visited the heritage properties of Pink City. On the way back they will also visit Khejarala; Nimaj and  Pushkar finally to return Jaipur.

 The group of tour operators at Hotel Hari Mahal before their departure for FAM tour.

 

According to the IHHA officials, enough attention and time was not given by tour operators to heritage hotel owners at events like Great Indian Travel Bazaar and other such travel forums since they have to compete with larger hotels and prestigious chains. This visit will be entirely focused on the heritage hotels and has been organized for the first time.

The tour operators visiting the heritage properties are : Kuldeep Singh Chandela; Mohan Singh Mertiya;  Mahender Singh; Amit Bomb;  Sukhdev Singh; Inder Vijai Singh;  Nitin Mathur and Aditya Agrawal.

It is to be recalled that 6th Annual Convention of the Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) will be inaugurated at Suryagarh in Jaisalmer on September02, 2017. The theme of the Convention this year will be ‘Harnessing Heritage to Tourism Advantage’.
Check: https://rajasthantourismbuzz.wordpress.com/2017/08/26/rajasthan-chief-minister-to-inaugurate-the-ihha-annual-convention-in-jaisalmer/

 

Jaipur’s Rambagh Palace listed among the top 10 Heritage Hotels in the World

Yet another feather has been  added in the cap of Rajasthan with Jaipur’s iconic hotel, ‘Taj Rambagh Palace’ being declared among the top 10 heritage hotel properties in the world. This ranking was declared on Wednesday this week by the prestigious travel publication of the United Kingdom, ‘Travel Weekly’. Among the rankings the Rambagh is placed at the 6^th rank. It is the only heritage hotel in India to feature in the list.

The magazine quotes the renowned travel company, Cox & Kings which describes the 19^th century Palace as one of the best selling hotels among higher-end clients. It goes on to say that originally a hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Jaipur, it was converted into a hotel in 1957.

The magazine further adds that “The Palace now houses 78 restored rooms and suites with elaborate décor filling the interiors, hand- carved marbles latticework, sandstone balustrades and ornate cenotaphs. Guests can explore the Mughal Gardens and dine in what was once the Palace Ballroom, complete with crystal chandeliers and 18^th century French architecture… or try yoga, meditation and Indian treatments at the Spa, safe in the knowledge they’re staying somewhere that is, quite literally fit for a prince.”

The General Manager of the hotel, Mr. Manish Gupta said that the ranking has only reiterated their conviction of providing top class luxury and services. Delighting the customer has always been the forte at the Rambagh Palace managed by the Taj Group, he said.

It is to be recalled that the Rambagh Palace had also been declared as the best hotel in the world by Conde Nast Traveller Reader’s Awards in 2009.

Among the other top heritage hotels announced by the Travel Weekly are – Omni Shoreham Hotel (US), Treetops Lodge (Kenya), The Don CeSar (US), Hotel de Rome (Germany), Parador de Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (Canada), Raffles Hotel (Singapore), Inkaterra La Casona (Peru) and Intercontinental Marseille Hotel Dieu (France).

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/277137/10-of-the-best-heritage-hotels

Where to Stay, Eat, Visit and Shop in Jaipur This Long Weekend

Pink City, Jaipur is among the most loved cities of India. The city has always been a favorite of domestic and international tourists due to its cultural heritage. You get the regal experience in every corner of the city. Now that a long weekend is just around the corner, many people are planning to soak in the aura of this city. If you are also planning a trip to Jaipur this weekend or some other time, here is a quick guide to help you plan-

 

Stay Here

A beautiful place with courteous staff is everyone’s choice of stay. Jaipur has many good hotels where you can stay alone, with family or with friends. You can stay in the heart of city at Devraj Niwas and Zone By The Park for good service at reasonable prices.

For the taste of Rajasthani heritage, Rawla Narlai Resort and Alsisar Haveli are totally suitable. Jaipur also has many international hotels like Radisson Blue, Marriott and Hilton which provide global experience in traditional Pink City.

 

Eat Here

All the hotels mentioned above have their in-house restaurants where you get a wide variety of national and international cuisines. The Forresta Kitchen and Bar at Devraj Niwas and Bazaar restaurant at Zone By The Park are loved by locals too.

Bazaar Restaurant

If you want to taste food that reminds of the legacy of Rajasthan, head to Handi Restaurant and Niros Restaurant. Handi is especially known for its Laal Maas, Handi Meat and Mughlai delicacies.

Jaipur also has many cafes where you can enjoy yummy food in a quirky setup. We like Skylights Café, Nibs Café and Mamu’s Infusion. The best Pyaaz Kachori of the city is available at the popular Rawat Mishthan Bhandar.

The city also has a thriving night life. Bar Palladio, Blackout Lounge and F Bar and Lounge are the favorites among the hip crowd of the city.

 

Visit Here

The historical sites are the main attractions of the Pink City. The 3 forts- Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Nahargarh Fort should not be missed. A palace in the middle of Man Sagar Lake, Jal Mahal offers a beautiful view and is the favorite spot of even locals.

The grandeur of City Palace and pink façade of Hawa Mahal mesmerize visitors. If astronomy fascinates you, you have to visit Jantar Mantar which is a world Heritage site. Albert Hall is the state museum of Rajasthan which has many treasures that you will surely admire.

Albert Hall

 

One more place that you cannot miss visiting is Raj Mandir Cinema Hall. The movie theatre is built in royal style and you have to see it even if you don’t have time to watch a complete movie. The theatre has huge chandeliers and soft carpets that add to the royal experience.

 

Shopping

Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar are a shopper’s paradise. Everything Rajasthani is available here. Leheriya and bandhej prints, jewellery, Jutis and artifacts, you can buy everything in these markets.

World Trade Park

If you want to shop, eat and hangout in a modern setup the World Trade Park is a must visit.

Jaipur is a magnificent city that will charm you with its amazing beauty!