Shahpura Bagh, Rajasthan - Explore & Book

"Owned by Shahpura’s ruling family, this heritage hotel’s surrounds would have looked very different had the late Rajadhiraj Nahar Singh not mortgaged the family jewels to bring water to the local community. Today, it is a glorious green oasis amidst this desert state, and a bastion of traditional Rajasthani culture. A direct descendant of Singh, the current Raja, Jai, now lives here with his family, and invites guests to share his palace. His personal care and involvement gives this boutique property the feel of a homestay – albeit a rather royal one. Accessible by road from Jaipir, Udaipur, Ranthambore and Jodhpur, a few nights here is a great way to change the tempo of your visit between chaotic cities. Intimate, opulent, there is a strong ethos of altruism, which clearly runs in the family. Staff are almost all from local villages, and many have been working for the household for generations. With lots to do in and around the property, Shahpura Bagh is great for families, solo travellers and friends, especially birdwatchers and nature lovers. Highs More Ibizan villa than rural Rajasthan, a heated azure pool is surrounded by daybeds with billowing white curtainsJust 11 beautiful rooms, including huge Royal Suites and Luxury Villa Suites with very un-Rajasthani open-air showers!Evenings by the bonfire, G&T in hand, accompanied by canapés and anecdotesFood is home-grown and home-cooked but by no means simpleWonderful guided activities, to help you get under the skin of this fascinating region: village, local farm and school visits, and sundowner drinks at Fort Dhikola Lows A 4-hour drive from the nearest airports (Jaipur and Udaipur), but it's the price worth paying for this rural idyllDinner is a set menu and the lunch menu is a little limited, which is a shame as there is nowhere else to eat in the areaA sprawling property with a small team of staff, sometimes they can be a little hard to findFull pre-payment 60 days prior to arrival, and this is non-refundable in the event of cancellation" - Meg Lambert