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| Worth Your Time |
A Royal Villa in Jaipur
Aline Sullivan
08/02/2004
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Rajvilas, a fortress-style hotel just outside Jaipur, the so-called City of
Kings in the heart of the northwestern state of Rajasthan, provides travelers a
glimpse of the opulence and mystery of India. Its magnificent entrance, flanked
by garlanded stone elephants, fountains and, at night, flaming torches, gives
way to a cool and intimate marble lobby. This opens onto lush gardens, through
which we find the elegant main swimming pool and two 250-year-old buildings, one
of which houses the spa and the other a Hindu temple.
 Rajvilas makes the
perfect base for exploring Jaipur (also known as the Pink City for its
oleander-hued buildings) and the surrounding region. Rajasthan is arguably the
most scenic and diverse of India’s states, and Jaipur is its heart. In addition
to its renowned jewelry markets, Jaipur is known for the elegant Palace of the
Winds, a huge pink facade of latticed windows, and, just a few miles up the
road, Amber Fort and Palace, crowning achievements of Rajput architecture.
Surprisingly tranquil bird sanctuaries and the world-famous Ranthambore National
Park tiger preserve lay further afield. The hotel runs an elephant safari that
concludes with a lovely picnic at an ancient site at the foot of owner Biki
Oberoi’s property.
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