Alila Fort Bishangarh, a 230-year-old warrior fort-turned boutique hotel, has opened in Jaipur, India. The original fort — six-foot-thick walls and battlements and all — remains intact, with a new structure to house the suites and public areas.
Alila Fort Bishangarh has 59 suites — each with bay windows, day beds, footed bathtubs, 42-inch TVs and Wi-Fi access. Fun Fact: There are 22 different room configurations and very few 90-degree-angle walls. All rooms have views of the Rajasthani landscape and Aravali Hills. Traveling with the family? We recommend the Royal or Grand Suites; the former “exemplify noble splendor,” while the latter “are designed for indulgence with a palette of neutral tones.”
What we love: The Spa Alila is carved out between granite rocks in the former dungeon. Here, guests can opt for the Roots of Jaipur treatment: a 90-minute treatment that includes a detoxifying body scrub made from local green gram and turmeric, a deep-tissue massage that uses camphor, mustard and coconut oil, and a basil- and ginger-infused steam to clear the lungs and remove toxins.
The hotel has 59 suites. Shown here is a Grand Suite
Alila Fort Bishangarh likens its dining options to a treasure hunt: Turrets, cellars and secret passages have been turned into bars, lounges and creative spaces for dining and meetings. The former royal living quarters are now the indoor restaurant Amarsar, serving all palates; Nazaara, an outdoor dining terrace, serves Rajput and frontier cuisine, which involves sand-pit cooking and smoked meats; Madhuveni is a cigar and cognac lounge; and the Kachhawa Lounge, where a secret royal escape route was found, now serves the 4 Cs — champagne, coffee, chai and cakes.
Then, just down the hill is the Haveli, a “labyrinth of spaces to chill,” which includes a pool, bar fitness center, banquet lawns and Play Alila Kids Club. Outdoors, guests will also find an organic garden, a fruit orchard and a greenhouse.
Located at Bishangarh Village in the Jaipur District, Alila Fort Bishangarh is easily accessible from both Delhi and Jaipur. It is three hours from Indira Gandhi International Airport and one hour from Jaipur Airport. Amber Fort is only 45 minutes away and Bishangarh is a good base to explore Jaipur’s tourist attractions.
Reach out to host manager Sunaina Manerker (sunaina.manerker@alilahotels.com) for VIP bookings.
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