Raffles Jaipur hotel review: A regal stay at India's newly opened palace retreat

When a hotly-anticipated hotel opens in a popular city, the eyes of the travel world are often upon it and Raffles Jaipur , which opened in the Pink City in July, is no different. Although there's no shortage of luxury accommodation in the Rajasthan capital, Jaipur's newest property – and the second Raffles hotel in India – is a haven of tranquillity among the desert state's colour and chaos. Much like a modern-day zenana, a women's palace from the Mughal times, the hotel brings some glamour to the Rajasthan capital. The design is a highlight with its royal facade, pastel hues and exquisite interiors. Every fresco, chandelier, table, armchair and artefact has been crafted by master artisans and it all comes together in a beautiful palatial package. The atrium, which is home to tea lounge Saafir, is at the heart of the action. The space features Raffles' signature traveller palm trees, inspired by the original resort in Singapore, and is the place where a daily roster of musical talent is staged. The National checked in during Raffles Jaipur's soft launch to find out if the hotel is living up to the hype. Exiting my car beside the towering cream-and-pale pink building, I walk into the ornately-designed lobby adorned with wall mosaics, soft carpets and intricate wooden furniture – all reflective of Rajasthan’s traditional crafts. My check-in has been completed before I even arrive, which is a welcome service after my hour-long drive. I walk through a set of grand doors where the staff are on hand to greet me with a traditional Indian welcome: a dot (tikka) of sandalwood paste applied to my forehead. Sitting on a plush sofa, I sip a hibiscus welcome drink and relax as I breathe in the intoxicating aroma of neroli, bergamot and saffron – the hotel's Moonlit Mirage diffuser scent which was inspired by the princess of Nerola, a French royal well-known for her beauty rituals. Raffles Jaipur is located in Kukas on the outskirts of Jaipur among other hotel heavyweights like The Leela Palace Jaipur, Taj Amer Jaipur and the Fairmont Jaipur, its next-door neighbour. The hotel's 50-key, boutique format offers an interesting contrast to the larger destination wedding hotels typical to this neighbourhood. Jaipur’s city centre is 30 minutes away by road and guests can book a variety of nature-and-nightlife excursions that explore the region. There are two types of rooms and six suites to choose from. Guests can take their pick from Junior, Signature, Raffles, Princess and Maharani suites, or opt for the huge Rajmata Bedroom Presidential suite. Every accommodation has a free-standing bathtub and / or a temperature-controlled pool and beautiful interiors handcrafted by artisans championing age-old craft techniques of Rajasthan. This traditional aesthetic is complemented by modern amenities like automatic curtain switches and sleek coffee machines. I'm staying in the Princess suite, which has buttercup yellow walls accentuated by miniature artwork, gold murals, carved mirrors and Mughal arches. The king-size bed has an extremely comfortable Sealy mattress which feels luxurious to sleep on. The indoor sitting area offers plenty of space to unwind, while the outdoor plunge pool is well-equipped with surrounding loungers and a chaise sofa. The ample-sized bathroom has two sinks, a walk-in wardrobe, a separate shower and toilet, as well as a free-standing bathtub, in which I enjoyed a royal-inspired bath. Each floor of the hotel has two butlers who are single points-of-contact for guests and on hand to help with any requests as well as packing and unpacking services. My experience is faultless and my butler Geeta is experienced, discreet and warm. In fact, everyone I encounter during my stay, whether it be chefs, bartenders, waiters or spa therapists are friendly and go out of their way to improve my experience. It's quiet during my stay, with only a few other guest, but staff inform me that a busy weekend is on the cards with lots of arrivals. There are a few couples and some small groups staying at the same time as me. Guests keen to keep their fitness on track during their stay can head to the hotel's spacious gym which has a trainer on-site to guide functional exercises, weight training and stretching. During my visit, the spa is still getting ready to open, but a preview deep-tissue massage treatment in my suite highlights the expertise of the therapists, who effectively ease my stiff muscles and follow my requests to a tee. Guests who wish to venture out of this royal abode have a wide choice of excursions to book via the hotel. Options include seeing Jaipur at dawn followed by a street food breakfast and experiencing evening tea in the wilderness. Those looking to experience the city's nightlife can book a Jaipur by night tour and history buffs will enjoy exploring the city's famous forts, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide. An infinity pool looks out to the green hills of Kukas and there are plans for live music sessions on the terrace, as well as a cigar lounge and a rooftop restaurant called Sehera which will serve Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. There is no dedicated kids club, but children are welcome at the property as part of families and groups. Raffles Jaipur steers away from the average buffet breakfast and instead serves freshly-prepared a la carte dishes along with fruit platters, juices and bakery baskets. Those who hate waking up early will likely relish the in-room breakfast option, which is just as good. The hotel’s main restaurant is Arkaa and it is a plant-focused eatery serving up progressive North Indian cuisine. Think chaat (street food) flights and tandoori grills, but also crowd-pleasing favourites like chicken tikka bharta (Dh80), Arkaa raan ie whole leg of lamb (Dh166) and gosht biryani (Dh80). Guests can also sip tea or enjoy a refreshment at Saafir in the lobby or take in the hotel's high tea experience at the Raffles Writer’s Bar. Tasteful luxury is a hallmark of the Raffles brand and the elevated design, luxurious rooms and butler service at this resort will delight discerning travellers. For those who want to be close to the action and perhaps partake in some sightseeing, the hotel's location in Kukas might not be ideal – it's a good half an hour by car from the bustling city centre. Book the Maharani bedroom suite, which has a beautiful plunge pool on the balcony, ideal for soaking into after a day spent exploring. A perfect pick for those looking for a sophisticated luxurious stay on the outskirts of the Pink City. Stays from Dh2,408, plus taxes per night; check in at 3pm and check out at noon. This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future

Raffles Jaipur hotel review: A regal stay at India's newly opened palace retreat

Opulent Asian hotel chain brings new luxury address to the outskirts of Rajasthan’s capital city