Rising out of the dust of the Thar Desert in the far west of India near the border of Pakistan, Jaisalmer is like a magical lost city. Constructed of golden yellow sandstone and crowned by a spectacular fort, the enchanting city captivates visitors and sparks the imagination. While it’s a bit far-flung compared to other places to visit in Rajasthan, that’s what helps keep its charm and makes it well worth taking the extra time to go there. The perfect place to stay while in Jaisalmer is the Hotel Rang Mahal, a luxurious four-star hotel which beautifully combines traditional Rajasthani art and design with contemporary comfort and style.
Modern Elegance With Maharajah Magic
Located a short drive from the Jaisalmer Fort, the Rang Mahal was one of the first luxury hotels in the city and has continued to maintain excellent standards for almost three decades. Designed as a modern mediaeval-style fortress, it was built with the same golden sandstone as the city’s famous fort. Calling on the best local artisans, the hotel is filled with detailed stone carvings in the form of Jharokhas and arches following Rajasthani architectural traditions.
Guests arrive in front of the impressive castle towers via a curved driveway. Inside, you will be instantly stuck by the elegance of the colossal and gracious lobby, decked out in an awe-inspiring chandelier, painted ceiling, murals and artwork. This inviting space has lovely sitting areas adorn with deep red furniture where you can take a cool interior break during your stay.
Plush, Spacious Rooms
The hotel has a total of 118 rooms, however, due to its layout in various wings, it retains an intimate feel, like you’re a special guest of the palace of a Maharajah. There are five categories of rooms, making the hotel accessible to diverse budgets (see prices below). The different categories feature alternating color schemes and decor. We stayed in a beautiful Heritage Room, a good-sized suite with an adjacent sitting area. These suites also include a tea/coffee station, a minibar, a 32″ flat screen LCD TV with entertainment and news channels, air-conditioning and eco-friendly toiletries. The Heritage Rooms have nice romantic touches like his & her bathrobes and a plush poster bed with sheer curtains, plus some of the sitting areas are found behind archways, a dreamy place for a private romantic dinner in your room.
Gourmet Rajasthani & International Cuisine
Dining is another highlight at the Rang Mahal. The hotel has a number of dining facilities to suit your mood, serving excellent quality traditional Rajasthani cuisine (we loved our meals!), as well as Indian and European dishes. For a romantic dinner, settle down at a candlelit table in the Garden Restaurant, located outdoors next to the pool. Alternatively, you can stay cool in their refined interior restaurant or grab. Before or after your meal, you can get a drink at their bar that overlooks the pool and has an extensive wine and beverage list. As I mentioned above, if you want to stay in your room, you can order certain menu items through the hotel’s 24-hour room service.
Relaxing at the Heavenly Pool & Spa
The hotel’s gorgeous pool beckons after a morning of sightseeing in scorching hot Jaisalmer. After your laps, sip a fresh fruit juice under their shaded terrace where you’ll also find some romantic sunbeds for two. If you would like to maintain your workout routine, there’s a well-equipped fitness center or simply allow yourself to be pampered with some treatments at the spa, including couple’s massages (check the listing on the door for some special offers).
A Fairytale Romantic Getaway or Wedding
Stay a few days to turn your stay at the Rang Mahal into the perfect romantic getaway with your partner. The hotel can arrange a number of interesting activities (including excursions into the desert) to complement your stay. Thanks to the number of rooms, it also makes for a unique option for an exotic wedding in Rajasthan with an storybook ceremony in the garden and the reception held under a marque outdoors or in one of the indoor restaurant areas. Plus, the hotel’s amazing top category royal room, pictured above, was made for honeymooners!
The Rang Mahal is a well respected hotel also due to its environmental policies. Water is scarce in the desert and the hotel arranges their own daily water delivery to ensure guests have comfort. That said, this is a reminder that water can be a luxury and should be used wisely. Their overall approach, attractive and stylish setting and friendly staff all help guarantee a wonderful stay at this lovely luxury hotel.
2018 room rates are as follows per night: Standard Room INR 4,500, Deluxe Rooms INR 6,500, Superior Rooms INR 7,495, Heritage Rooms INR 15,000 and Royal Rooms INR 27,000. See the Hotel Rang Mahal’s website for further details and to book.
Looking for more ideas for your India trip? See my other articles on great boutique hotels and original things to do here!
I was a guest of the Hotel Rang Mahal, however all of the opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
