The erstwhile royal city of Jaipur in Rajasthan is steeped in a culture of luxury and excess. Long associated with glamour, prestige, and international renown, Jaipur shoulders this rich legacy effortlessly. Want to enjoy rare indulgences and boundless luxury? The ‘Pink City’ must be your destination of choice.
True luxury today is all about privacy, privilege, and personalised care, and you can easily let that define your entire experience from start to finish with the right experiential choices.
You are going to love Jaipur for its extravagant palace hotels, beautifully preserved haveli homestays, fabulous array of stylish restaurants, and exclusive boutiques.
Unleash the luxury vagabond in you for a heady experiential journey. Let your adventure begin with a chauffeur-driven luxury car ride from the airport to the fabulous Rambagh Palace Hotel. The former residence of the legendary beauty Maharani Gayatri Devi and her beloved polo-playing husband Jai, the Rambagh is the essence of regal plush and luxury in the truest sense. It is exceptionally skilled at indulgence and pleasure, having operated as a super-luxury hotel since 1957 under the umbrella of the Taj Group of Hotels.
Over a leisurely lunch at its Suvarna Mahal, teleport yourself to the days when it served as the private dining space for the royal couple. You will love its regal setting of glittering Italian chandeliers, sparkling mirrors, silk-clad walls, and elegant furniture. Dine with tableware settings of gold and silver, complemented by impeccable service from the wait staff.
Make a post-lunch foray to the beautiful City Palace to lose yourself in Jaipur’s royal past. The museum here acts as a drawbridge to the city’s history and heritage through a grand display of royal costumes, textiles, artisanal bric-a-brac, miniature paintings, beautifully embellished daggers and shields, and fiercely preserved manuscripts. Photography may not be allowed, but in your mind’s eye, you can capture endless memories of this exquisite, regal cultural repast. Feast your eyes on the massive silver vessels, the largest in the world at 340 kg each, created to hold sacred Gangajal for Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh II during his visit to London decades ago.
The artisanal splendour doesn’t stop there. The Chandra Mahal, located in the private family wing, has some gorgeous frescoes. At Pritam Chowk, the palace courtyard, admire the four painterly entry points, each representing a different season: Lotus Gate (summer), Leheriya Gate (spring), Peacock Gate (autumn), and Rose Gate (winter). These also represent individual Hindu deities, Lord Vishnu, Shiv-Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Devi. The Blue Room at Pritam Niwas is simply stunning. The Painting and Photography Museum is brimming with a superb collection of rare paintings, maps, books, and photographs.
If you have a love for equestrian pleasures, Jaipur is studded with several polo grounds for indulgence in this royal sport. Crash courses are available covering the basics of horse riding, polo rules, and techniques. Jaipur’s polo-playing HH Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II built a state-of-the-art polo ground right near the Rambagh Palace. If you are in Jaipur between August and the end of October (Jaipur’s polo season), take time out for thrilling championship experiences. Alternatively, you can catch some action during the February Polo Season, which hosts the Jaipur Open, Rajmata Gayatri Devi Memorial Cup, the Sirmour Cup, and Rajasthan Tourism Polo.
Discover Jaipur from another perspective as you sign up for a unique aerial adventure in a hot air balloon. Arrive early to enjoy the pre-flight preparations for your safari in the skies. Witness the magical transformation of a massive balloon, from lying flat on the grass to being pumped full of gas to become your aerial steed.
Spend another morning indulging in a fantastic round of luxury retail therapy. Keep your gold and platinum cards ready! Pre-book a private appointment at The Gem Palace; they have been jewellers to royalty since the 1700s. From traditional Jaipur red meenakari work to emeralds and diamonds winking from gorgeous necklaces, to pearl-dripping chandelier earrings—your bejewelled adventure has just begun.
For traditional high-end crafts, head to Princess Gauravi Kumari’s The Palace Atelier, the museum-cum-concept store. At Rukmani Boutique on Jacob Road, pick up replicas of Jaipur’s yesteryear classics of chiffon sarees and stunning embroidery work. In the Narain Niwas Palace complex, let your footsteps carry you to Hot Pink, launched by Gem Palace scion Munnu Kasliwal. Stock up on Nehru jackets, velvet men’s jutis, and shawls. Step into nearby Andraab, revered for its meticulously handcrafted, very high-end range of gorgeous shawls, stoles, scarves, and bedcovers from Kashmir.
Dinner tonight must be an intimate candlelit affair at the private baoli (stepwell) of Samode Haveli. You can bet it is going to be an evening to remember. Delicious food, impeccable service, and memorable company, a beautiful scenario played out in the glitter of candles and under a starlit night.
Next morning, opt for a thrilling vintage car joy ride through the serene pockets of the once royal city. Spend a lazy afternoon reading, taking a few laps around the pool, and simply losing yourself in those momentous experiences in Jaipur that will remain with you forever.
At night, soak in the charms of the stunning dinnertime setting of Palladio at the lovely Narain Niwas heritage hotel. The open-air restaurant will instantly reset your mood with its serene vibe and seamless service.
As you reluctantly leave Jaipur the next morning, hold on to the wonderful memories you have captured on this adventure of luxury and rich indulgences. Share them with friends and family to inspire them to create their own adventures in the Pink City.