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gINKgo I The RARE Collection Newsletter I The Arc Connecting Rajasthan and Gujarat I Vol 125 I August 2026
Dear Travellers...
We have heard this time and again and we acknowledge with gratitude that we love it when travel companies tell us that, if a hotel is listed on RARE, they are assured of its authenticity of experience and quality of service. Without demanding it, we worked to create a singular benchmark – that if RARE hotels are in your itinerary, it should speak highly of the experiential quality of your curation. Remember, for RARE, a hotel's first service is to reflect its destination.
This is the time to head out and explore destinations, and it is also the time for introspection – to understand why some brands add value to the experiences you are promoting. RAAS is one such brand and has been part of The RARE Collection since its flagship hotel, RAAS Jodhpur, opened in the old city. Its spatial design and intriguing contemporary architecture, recognisable for its classic Rajasthani craftsmanship, remain to this day a marker of change in the way heritage was perceived and reimagined for hospitality.
There is another reason why RAAS continues to inspire us at RARE. Although we have gradually removed larger groups from the collection, RAAS with its future-forward vision for heritage through gentle expansion, continues to make meaningful contributions to the destinations it inhabits. The stepwell project and the transformation of the surrounding old-city area stand as a powerful example of RAAS's public-private partnership that has created a social space for local residents alongside a bustling square of couture houses, boutiques, art galleries, premium restaurants and cafés.
This issue is dedicated to RAAS Hotels while also offering ideas for extending your programmes to include some of the new hotels that have joined The RARE Collection.
In travel, you should "wonder always and wander often".
Quoted from an anonymous source, I leave you to plan your next wander !
Happy Reading !
Shoba Rudra
Storyteller & Boutique Hotels OG
The Arc Connecting Rajasthan and Gujarat
Beginning in Delhi, this journey traces a graceful arc through Rajasthan and Gujarat, spending two nights each in Jaipur, Chhatrasagar, Udaipur, Santrampur and Bhuj, before concluding with a night in Ahmedabad. The RAAS hotels in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Chhatrasagar and Devigarh together form the celebrated RAAS Hopper - an itinerary where seamless brand standards in hospitality, dining and wellness are complemented by the distinct character of each destination through its architecture, guided experiences and sense of place. Extending this journey into Gujarat with Shri Joraver Vilas, The Bhuj House and The House of MG create a thoughtfully curated two-state programme that blends royal heritage, wilderness, living traditions and contemporary culture into one seamless exploration of western India.
Just a few hours from Jaipur, RAAS Chhatrasagar, Nimaj unveils a Rajasthan far removed from its bustling cities-a landscape of shimmering waters, open wilderness and extraordinary tranquillity. Now an all-season retreat, with significantly improved road access, the estate stretches across 1,500 acres surrounding its historic reservoir. Its 16 beautifully appointed luxury tents, featuring sandstone and teak offer enhanced privacy, allowing guests to immerse themselves in nature without compromise. Days begin with the chorus of over 200 bird species, followed by gentle walks where nilgai, jackals and wild boar are often encountered. The infinity pool overlooking the lake is reason enough to linger, while Baradari celebrates seasonal, organic cuisine. Perched atop the hillscape, the Wellness Spa embraces the restorative power of nature, with open-air treatment pavilions-an experience where silence, wilderness and wellbeing become one. Chhatrasagar is no longer simply a stop in Rajasthan-it is a destination to savour in every season.
Once an 18th-century palace-fortress, RAAS Devigarh was restored over 15 years by 750 artisans and now houses 39 suites within its layered arches and courtyards. The Devigarh Suite stands out with Aravalli views and a private black-granite pool, while dining moves through the palace's many spaces - from the Sheesh Mahal to the poolside deck and Silver Lounge. Herbal cocktails, organic menus, and Ayurvedic and Tibetan therapies complete the experience.
Bringing Jaipur's royal history into a vivid art Deco setting are 13 rooms and suites, including two Royal Apartments. The Palace blends classic detailing with contemporary comfort, while the gardens, pool, heirlooms and royal memorabilia keep the past in view. Dining is centred on the signature restaurants, The Colonnade and 51 Shades of Pink. Picnics, bike rides, spa time and easy access to Jaipur's landmarks make the Rajmahal Palace as much a base for exploring the city as a retreat within it.
Built in 1894 and still run by the Bhujwala family, The Bhuj House offers a rare look at Kutch's Parsi heritage. The restored courtyard bungalow centres on a neem-shaded courtyard, with antique rosewood furniture, family photographs and 8 rooms named after people and details from the house's past. Jehan and Katie Bhujwala enrich the stay with local stories, artisan visits and thoughtful introductions to Bhuj's textile traditions.
Shri Joraver Vilas, Santrampur
Shri Joraver Vilas retains the intimacy of a private royal residence in the small princely state of Santrampur. Set beside its own lake, the 1926 homestay has just five suites, with Art Deco interiors that retain the charm of the era. The royal family remains closely involved, from welcoming guests to curating meals rooted in Malwa, Rajasthani and Gujarati traditions. Forest drives, nearby palaces and visits to local farms or tribal haats reveal a wonderfully undiscovered side of Gujarat.
The House of MG soaks you in Ahmedabad's architectural and cultural heritage. Set in a restored century-old mansion in the old city, its courtyards, verandahs, handcrafted interiors and textile collections reflect the legacy of the Mangaldas family and Gujarat's craft traditions. The stay extends naturally into the city through guided heritage walks, while Gujarati thalis at Agashiye (rooftop restaurant) and the striking Lotus Pool bring together culture, cuisine and contemporary comfort.
