LF Review: ★★★★.5
Jewel Bagh. Yes, literally translated as a garden of jewels. With a name that seems straight out of some paradisical environ, it is no wonder that the initial response to the new Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, to state its formal full name, has been overwhelming. As you drive south from Jaipur airport on Tonk Road, you cannot miss the shimmering, glowing marvel that is the new Anantara. With a façade that is brightly lit, it is a sight that gets seared in your memory, especially when you glimpse it post sunset.
The famed Thai hospitality brand, famous for its wellness quotient, has started its India journey with a hotel that is rooted in its brand identity, while paying homage to the city’s rich cultural legacy, yet weaving in contemporary touches with elan. The brand, almost a quarter of a century old, has over 50 luxury addresses around the world, each special, often in the must-visit lists of the contemporary traveller seeking experiential luxury stays that incorporate wellness and local culture in unique ways.
“It’s a very guest experience centric brand, very much a wellness brand and also heavily driven on a quality of food and beverage,” points out Vimal Verma, General Manager of the hotel.
Yes, Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur is a stunner, whichever way you look at it. The 150-key resort, spread over five acres, had an unusual start. For the first four odd months, it was only open for weddings, with leisure guests starting to come in only in March.
In a city chock full of luxury hotels, from erstwhile palaces with royal lineage to newer ones that epitomise the heritage and wealth of a city built on riches of trade, Anantara already stands out for its grandeur and experiences on offer.
“If you look at Anantara, Jaipur, it brings Indian culture into the hotel. It’s not a cookie cutter approach,” says Dillip Rajakarier, CEO, Minor Hotels. “Creating those experiences and the storytelling makes us very different to the other brands. People love Anantara as a brand. Maybe 10 years ago, not many people in India knew Anantara, but today everyone knows Anantara and the challenge we have is most of the owners now want Anantara as a brand, but we cannot do Anantara in all the cities.”
“We opened the Anantara Jewel Bagh in Jaipur in mid-November, and frankly, we are just amazed by the response,” Puneet Dhawan, head of Asia, Minor Hotels. “The hotel has been pretty much sold out from the day we opened.”
The design
The structure of the building is unique, a broad U, with its two ‘arms’ tapering towards the base. The architects have drawn generously from the region’s architectural vocabulary, paying homage with a façade of jaalis (lattice work) and jharokhas (bay windows). Yes, Anantara Jaipur’s front façade with 86 open and 50 closed jharokhas is a direct inspiration from Jaipur’s most famous landmark – the Hawa Mahal in the City Palace.
The city’s palatial heritage also reflects in the chhajas (overhanging eaves), chattris (cupola like structures) and tikri work on impressive wooden doors with saankal (traditional lock system), shaded corridors, gurgling water channels, lush palm trees, et al.
There is ample use of art, especially in Rang Mahal, where every inch of the walls, floor and ceiling is covered in an intoxicating, heady combination of traditional local paintings and architectural motifs. Just as notable is a veritable portrait of notables in Diwan-e-Khaas, which has hand-drawn paintings in the regional style by S.S. Pandit.
The property is especially noteworthy for its ample meetings and events spaces. From the expansive outdoor Amer Bagh, which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests, to the pillarless Kohinoor Mahal ballroom that can host up to 300 attendees, to the more intimate venues such as Darbar, the number of choices are designed to meet any requirement. Especially noteworthy are the poolside Bawdi Bagh, Mor Bagh and Jai Bagh, and the adjoining Rajputana Chowk, effectively the heart of the hotel.
The food
The hotel has made a special effort to stand out for its food. Over the stay, I was treated to a vast range of dishes, with Executive Chef Sunil Jajoria going out of his way to treat each meal thematically, each more stunning than the other. The beginning itself was interesting as we were served a south Indian platter with dishes such as deconstructed Sambar and Coconut Panna Cotta with Jasmine Payasam.
With its spacious layout, a combination of indoor and outdoor seating amidst design nods to the city’s heritage, Amrit Mahal, the all-day dining venue, is an absolute pleasure to be in.
The real stunner, however, is the hotel’s signature restaurant Sheesh Mahal, effectively a jewel box adorned with mirror mosaics and coloured glass. For the meal I had there, the chef conjured up a menu of ‘lost recipes’ from the region, essentially dishes that are no longer easily prepared, such as Shikari Boti, Mathania Murgh Tacos, Mewati Gosht Baajri Ki Tahiri, and even Rasgulle ki Sabji!
Sheesh Mahal also serves craft cocktails such as Jewel of Jaipur (a Whisky Sour twist), Pink City Punch (guava lemonade with tequila) and Royal Tea (Captain Morgan with masala chai and plum).
Wellness
Anantara, as a brand, is best known for its superlative wellness experiences. The Anantara Spa, where Thai wellness traditions meet local expertise, features an on-site beauty salon and five treatment rooms for guests to rebalance with classic Ayurvedic therapies, and indulgent body treatments.
Signature offerings range from exotic, like the Pao Ya fire therapy, to beloved spa classics with romantic couples’ journeys. Daily yoga sessions in the serene Amer Bagh and a 24/7 fitness centre ensure routines continue uninterrupted. Looking for more? Anantara Jaipur offers curated art and culture experiences as well.
The stay
Of course, the most telling experience of a luxury hotel stay is the room experience. Needless to say, the rooms are spacious and generously stocked. Right from the base category, i.e., the 334 square feet Premier Room to the massive 1,861 square feet Presidential Suite, each is perfectly tailored to make memories. Perhaps the most noteworthy are the one-bedroom suites, which come in the 753 square feet Jewel Bagh Suite and the 699 square feet Terrace Suite.
I would recommend the latter, with its gorgeous views looking towards Jaipur (no actual of views of Jaipur visible, though the adjoining highway is quite arresting). Winters on the terrace are especially magical, perfect to enjoy views right from the helpfully provided jacuzzi in the terrace!
The interiors are rich in touches of Jaipur’s famed opulence. Think patterned white and gold hued stone floors, a spacious, well-appointed and oh-so-luxurious living room, a king bed in a massive bedroom, and all the accoutrements that one could expect at this level… The added charm comes from the special touches. Note for example, the two huge window seats – complete with jharokas for the perfect framing for your Insta post! Or the inlay work mirrors, the uniquely Sanganari style upholstery, the framed art all around – yes, there is much to take in without stepping out.
Did I mention that the welcome experience included a rose and jasmine petal rangoli as you enter, a tray of delicious goodies, an accompanying fruit bowl, and a framed self-portrait in chocolate? A perfect start to a perfect stay!
LF Review: ★★★★.5
Coordinates: Tonk Road, Bilwa, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
