Rawla Narlai Luxury Heritage Hotel — Hotel in Rajasthan

I liked this heritage property. The staff are very friendly and helpful. I think this place deserves 4.5 stars if it was possible.

My issue was I thought the spa treatments were ridiculously over priced from what I have come to expect in india. The prices are similar to UK prices. A 90 minute treatment here costs 6500 rupees compared to 2800 I paid in Jaisalimer for a similar treatment.

When we entered we were greeted with a Garland of flowers and a yellow chandlo.

I think the property is stunning. Hopefully my pictures capture this. I stayed in room 10, which had a shared space with room 9. My room had an ensuite. The hot water works via a switch. The room, although large, was not big enough to have my luggage in. My luggage was in the shared space. My room was really cosy. It had a double bed and a very comfortable alcove which could be a child's bed. I was provided with 5 bottles of 500ml water. It might be helpful for the environment to use bigger bottles.

I had a peak at room 9 and it had some pretty frescoes. It was worn but I can imagine it would be quite an experience. This room does not have an ensuite. Its bathroom is in a room next door which requires you to leave the shared space.

I didnt use the spa but it is situated by the swimming pool. The swimming pool is stunning and looks very clean.

Breakfast buffet is served in the downstairs restaurant. They have an extensive selection and the quality of food is really good. The staff were really helpful and even offered to provide things not available. I asked for cold coffee. They also will pack some for you if you ask.

There are many options for Dinner in Narlai. This is probably your only option. Dinner is on the roof. There is very little lighting and torches are provided to help rest the menu. On a clear night you can see the stars. The food was good but costs more than the average indian meal. There are a variety of options and you can get italian food as well.

There are many excursions offered. We choose to go to Kumbhalgarh fort with our driver and the Leopard safari in the evening. We managed to see a Leopard! I wanted to try the stepwell dinner but for me the price was too much.

In my Rajasthan trip so far this is the first place where I have seen women working. It was refreshing. There was a lady working at front of house who was very friendly.

Definitely give this heritage property a go. I think one dull day is enough but if you want to relax more maybe 2...

Rawla Narlai offers a distinct Rajasthan experience beyond the well-trodden tourist path. This charming heritage hotel, which is also accessible by train (with stops in Falna or Rani followed by a 50-minute drive), presents a blend of modern comfort and traditional elegance. Rawla Narlai boasts a stunning property, and we were fortunate to stay in the new wing, facing the Elephant Hill and the inviting swimming pool. We were upgraded to a Superior Suite, which greatly enhanced our stay. The property is impeccably maintained.

The hotel's breakfast spread is generous, and the dinner menu offers a wide selection of dishes. The real charm lies in the array of activities available on-site. During our stay, we indulged in a relaxing massage and embarked on an exciting leopard safari, where we were fortunate enough to spot one!

There are a few aspects that could be enhanced though:

Village Walk: The complimentary village walk, while a great initiative, felt somewhat staged. Our guide's insistence on taking photos of the locals detracted from the authenticity of the experience. However, once we ventured out on our own, we discovered a more genuine and unfiltered connection with the village, which was truly remarkable.

Service Staff: The staff is passionate and attentive. However, during our visit in the low season, it felt a bit overstaffed. This abundance of service staff had an unintended consequence - we were frequently interrupted during meals, making it challenging to engage in uninterrupted conversations. Perhaps, in this case, a more restrained approach would be beneficial.

Pricing of Activities: While the room rates align with the hotel's quality and the breakfast, the additional activities come with a hefty price tag. The bespoke Stepwell dinner, for instance, costs approximately €90 per person, and spa prices rival those in downtown Milan. We were also quoted 5,500 INR for a transfer from Falna to Narlai, which we ultimately arranged with a local taxi for just 1,100 INR. Food prices are on the higher end as well. If you plan to explore Rawla Narlai, it's advisable to be aware of these costs in advance.

In conclusion, our time at Rawla Narlai was delightful, offering unique experiences not easily found elsewhere in Rajasthan. However, addressing the pricing of extras and the staff-to-guest ratio could further enhance the overall guest experience. With these improvements, Rawla Narlai has the potential to become an unbeatable...

Hip Heritage Hotel Hidden inside a Village

This 17th-century jewel was once a favoured hunting lodge of the Jodhpur royal family, and has been tastefully restored to its former opulence and stands testimony to the grand and elegant Rajputi architectural style. Surrounded by forested hills and rocky outcrops, this gem of a fort hotel is hidden away in the heart of the Aravalli hills. The minute you step through the massive wooden gates into a pretty courtyard, adorned with a gently trickling fountain, you will be entering an oasis of calm, leaving behind the chaos and noise of the village behind. A striking feature here is the giant granite chunk of rock that juts out above the hotel.

Frescoed Walls, Frangipani-scented Courtyards, Antique Furniture, Ancient Stone Ramparts dripping colorful Bougainvillea, a Sexy Pool stunningly reflecting the landscape nearby, and Al fresco drinks listening to the folk music played by local musicians from the in-house mini 'Mandir'. This is what I would tag as a perfect blend of modern and old-world royalty. #RoyalRajasthan #IncredibleIndia

LOCATION: On the route between Jodhpur to Udaipur and closer to Udaipur

DINE + DRINK: Excellent Regional cuisine that can be savoured in the indoor dining area or Alfresco with mindblowing views of the Elephant Hill. They also have a very swanky Raj Era Bar to enjoy cocktails or other drinks, including cold beers

ROOM: We stayed in Room 22, so this review is based on that; VIEW: Sweet view of the courtyard from the balcony; SIZE: Spacious room; AIR-CON: Perfectly functioning cooler that helped in setting the perfect room temperature; BED: Comfortable bed that played the expected part to put me to sleep; BATHROOM: WEak and old Bathtub, which is a big downside as the shower is quite weak too.; TOILETRIES: Random Cosmetics, bring your own.

FACILITIES: No Gym. But they do have a lovely Swimming pool with a Fantastic View

SERVICE: Friendly staff that took care of all my needs with a smile and made us feel pampered and well taken care of. Special Shout out to Ganpat at the Bar and Ravindra at the REception

HOW WIRED YOU WILL BE: Free Wi-Fi that works well all over the property. Plasma TV screen dishing out dozens of channels spanning sports, news, music, movies and a wide variety of entertainment in...