Oberoi Rajvilas

India
Asia

The Experience

Of all the treasures in the Oberoi trove, it is this particular gem, Rajvilas, that Biki Oberoi chose as the setting for his daughter's wedding party. Located across 32 acres of landscaped gardens in a fort-like setting with the nearby "pink city" of Jaipur as its backdrop, Rajvilas is the perfect symbol of Rajasthan's exotic romance. Luxury tents and villas are interspersed among reflection pools, fountains and courtyards crisscrossed by quiet pathways. Mimicking a mogul's palace, the salmon-pink structures are offset by lush gardens edging up to the 250-year-old Shiva Temple located on a tiny island. Here you're slightly on the outskirts of Jaipur--not in the heart of the action, though for anyone who stays here (including any wedding parties), that's exactly the point.

The Rooms

Standard rooms are grouped in clusters of four around a central courtyard, and at a large 450 square feet each, they have teak four-poster beds and large sunken bathtubs with a view of private gardens. But Rajvilas' 14 luxury tents are even more special: fully air-conditioned and located slightly farther away from the main buildings, with teak floors and massive beds with traditional Indian linens and embroidered canopies. Each has a private patio and garden for outdoor dining. The Royal Villa is even more amazing, with multiple courtyards as well as its own 60-foot outdoor swimming pool and private sauna.

The Service

As is the case at all Oberoi hotels, the service here is outstanding, and each room has its own private butler. They're nothing but accommodating: You can dine almost anywhere on the property, including under the starlit Indian sky or at the Rajwada library bar, which also offers a long list of fine wines and cigars.

The Highlights

The main restaurant here, Surya Mahal, is superb, with tasty Indian and international cuisine prepared by a team led by chef Adrian Mellor. Try the handmade prawn, crab and leek ravioli, or a more traditional Indian dish like Suryavanshi Raan, which is leg of lamb braised with ginger, garlic, yogurt and cumin, cooked in the tandoor oven then served with dal and naan. Aside from food, other comforts can be found in the Banyan Tree Spa, with its holistic treatments delivered in rooms with intricately painted frescoes, and morning yoga lessons offered in an ancient Shiva temple.

 

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