Mihir Garh

This Nine-Suite Desert Fortress in India’s Rajasthan Makes Every Guest Feel Like Royalty - Hotels Above Par - Boutique Hotels & Travel

"Tucked down a dirt road in the Thar Desert, this five-star Relais & Châteaux hideaway resembles a Maharaja-era fortress with rounded edges, open fireplaces and a sand-colored exterior softened by overgrown bougainvillea. With only nine suites, each feels private and luxurious, featuring terraces with private jacuzzis or plunge pools, handwoven kilims, embroidered cushions, homespun rugs and whimsical horse-shaped lamps; peacocks are even sometimes spotted on the terraces. Outdoors, an infinity pool seems to vanish into the desert and is flanked by cushioned lounges and a poolside terrace where you can sip Indian wines or Kingfisher beer as stars emerge overhead. The on-site restaurant (led by Chef Bahadur) serves regional dishes—try the raan (spice-crusted roast lamb)—and 24-hour room service offers both Indian and Western options; dinners are particularly atmospheric under a virtually unpolluted night sky. Activities and amenities include a signature Village Safari that brings guests into nearby villages (revealing local crafts, clay architecture and, surprisingly, a legal opium trade), horseback riding, a riding stable, a spa offering muscle-soothing massages, a library and gardens, plus practical comforts like Wi‑Fi, minibars and flatscreen TVs."