gINKgo | The RARE Newsletter | RAREHotelsLIVE with Philippa Kaye : Part 2 | Vol 104 | December 2024
Dear Traveller...
Products, products, products.... is what defines how you stand out as a travel business. And every product linked to travel needs authentication and creative retelling, that defines the destination and experience. In an environment of too much content, sameness is a malady and is now increasingly becoming white noise ‒ indiscernible. Onsite visits to see for yourselves as product and marketing teams is a great way to streamline your product profile, it also helps include the destination in a way that is unique for your company profile as well as your guest profile. At RARE, our hotels are destinations, and our destinations define experiences that RARE hotels set out to promote. It is a luxury of experience that have in the past been seamlessly woven alongside luxury brands and they continue to do so. Here is the second part of Philippa Kaye's journey on #RAREHotelsLIVE as she describes her stays at RARE hotels she has travelled to many times in the past and discovers their uniqueness and refinement over the years.
Shoba Rudra
Shahpura has been making its mark close to two decades now and there's reasons for that! I remember, when it opened how effortlessly it was slotted between Oberoi Hotels and Taj palace hotels, and it still does! All the other guests staying were second or third timers and had opted for 4 or 5 night stays. It's all down to the hosting, the experiences, the Dikhola Fort sundowners have become legendary, the surrounding town which remains delightful, and morning safaris which showcase the family's conservation mindset which has been passed down through the generations. Some of the largest and most comfortable rooms in Rajasthan (if not India), the spectacular pool and a general feeling of calm pervades complete the experience. Oh, and the given the drive between Jaipur – Udaipur that takes upto seven hours, it's the perfect place to break your journey.
Highlights: Visits to the local town, sundowners or a celebratory dinner at the Dhikola Fort.
Combines with: Udaipur and Jaipur, and being central many itineraries can be routed around Shahpura Bagh.
I'm not sure what can be said about Khem Vilas which hasn't been covered many times before but each time I visited (this has to be my 4th time) it just seems to get better and better, given the number of hotels that seem to open every year! The surroundings are now resplendent with nature and wildlife, a morning nature walk showed all manner of birds, butterflies, a giant squirrel and where a python had eaten a crocodile only the week before – surprising when you think 20 years ago this was barren land! Khem Villas remaining one of the best places in Ranthambhore. It's elegant, conservation‒focused, more than comfortable, the food's a delight, and it tells a story, what more could you want?
Highlights: The rewilded locale, the food, the rooms and young enthusiastic naturalists.
Combines with: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Ramathra.
What a delightfully pleasant surprise both Utsav and Sariska turned out to be! Sariska's tigers were once poached out but it is now one of India's best conservation stories. However, playing second fiddle to Ranthambore has worked in Sariska's favour, they've nailed the 'beyond safari' experiences with their wilderness breakfasts, boulder sundowners, walks, horse rides and starlit dinners. These, together with the pool and spa make it the perfect between Delhi and Jaipur stay for wildlifers and non wildlifers alike. They've also just opened their new Cabins which are refreshingly different in style, check them out!
Highlights: A visit to Sariska Fort is a must, the wilderness breakfast and the starlit dinner.
Combines with: Delhi and Jaipur, while building valuable routes to places like Ramathra Fort etc.
The Laalee, Jaipur's latest boutique offering, has got everyone talking! It's where Pichwai art meets stories meets décor meets food in a celebration of Indian culture inspired by Lord Krishna. From the white peacock‒inspired Mayur room to the monsoon-themed Sawan room, each space tells a story. One could simply think 'oh, nice décor' and carry on to explore Jaipur, or throw yourself into cultural immersion with knowledgeable owners Shan and Deviyani, the stories, nuances and cultural insight is fascinating. New for this season is the Laalee Thali, a storytelling journey through food. Fun!
Highlights: The décor, the stories around art and food and the location.
Combines with: Delhi, Agra, Jodhpur or Udaipur, Shahpura.
Dera Amer has developed over the years with various incarnations whilst the family let nature take its course! Their story began 40 years ago with 180 acres of overgrazed land near Jaipur. 160 acres was left to restore and rewild and has now become a haven for over 150 bird species, leopards and jackals. They've now added just six luxurious glamping tents that sit alongside their organic farm and offer nature walks and farm visits. In keeping with their focus on conservation, it is also home to rescued elephants and camels (Wildlife SOS verified) and a couple of lucky dogs. It is perfect for nature lovers wanting to stay in nature but visit the sites of Jaipur!
Highlights: Peace and tranquillity of staying amidst nature whilst being so close to the city.
Combines with: Delhi, Agra, Ranthambhore, Ramathra, Shahpura.
And now for something completely different! This is architect Pradeep Sachdeva's personal playground where imagination ran loose. A passion for both design and conservation led to this being a quirky but charming stay. A rescued Keralan House (transported and rebuilt here!), a Bamboo House designed by world renowned architect by Simon Velez, the library with two story ceilings and heaps of natural light and the restored Beri House rescued from a nearby village which adds a touch of local charm. Close to Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, but just an hour from Gurgaon it's perfect for unwinding amidst serene gardens and relaxing by one of the two swimming pools. This is an ideal place for Delhi fly‒outs, birding enthusiasts, architects, and small group retreats.
Highlights: Great architecture and wonderful food.
Combines with: Delhi, Jaipur.
Haveli Dharampura and its sister property, Golden Haveli are the only luxury heritage hotels in the heart of Old Delhi. I was sceptical, Old Delhi can often feel overwhelming–its crowds, noise, and vibrant chaos can be quite the sensory shock, particularly for first timers! However, after a restful night and a delicious breakfast featuring local delicacies, I and the other guests found ourselves falling for the whole experience. You see, Haveli Dharampura offers a deep dive into the Mughal era, connecting guests to Shah Jahan of Taj Mahal fame, who also founded Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad). The whole experience weaves a story, the rooftop views of the Red Fort and Jama Masjid are stunning, whilst the hotels curated walking tours and experiences like kite flying immerse you in local culture of this ancient city. The exquisite Mughlai cuisine and cultural performances combine to round off the experience. These meticulously restored havelis are perfect sanctuaries amidst the chaos and bring to life old Delhi in a way no where else can, they didn't become UNESCO‒recognized for nothing!
Highlights: Drinks on the rooftop and the cultural performances which take place on Fri, Sat & Sun.
Combines with: The rest of India!
Philippa Kaye, Indian Experiences, UK
About RARE: RARE India is a collection of some of the finest boutique hotels in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. At heart they believe in mindful experiential travel as palace stays, wildlife lodges, homestays and retreats. 'Slow and immersive is the new luxury' and our community is an inclusive list of hotels and experinces with a quality and style quotient that appeal to the world traveller, are community inclusive while being personal and high on service.
BRIDGES for Conscious Travel 2025, scheduled for 3,4,5 April is a conference that champions sustainable and experiential travel in the Indian subcontinent. The conference is brought to you by RARE, a pioneer who has promoted individual hoteliers and small indigenous groups from India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, each with a bent for responsible tourism, for over two decades. BRIDGES for Conscious Travel 2025 is in its second edition with BRIDGES by RARE 2024 setting the trend for a conference dedicated to responsible travel.
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