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.
The welcome
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.
The neighbourhood
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.
The room
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.
The service
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.
The scene
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.
The food
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.
Highs and lows
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.
The insider tip
Book the Maharani bedroom suite, which has a beautiful plunge pool on the balcony, ideal for soaking into after a day spent exploring.
The verdict
A perfect pick for those looking for a sophisticated luxurious stay on the outskirts of the Pink City.
The Bottom Line
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
The%20Sandman
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Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Valencia v Atletico Madrid (midnight)
Mallorca v Alaves (4pm)
Barcelona v Getafe (7pm)
Villarreal v Levante (9.30pm)
Sunday
Granada v Real Volladolid (midnight)
Sevilla v Espanyol (3pm)
Leganes v Real Betis (5pm)
Eibar v Real Sociedad (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
THE%C2%A0SPECS
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More on Quran memorisation:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ovasave%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Majd%20Abu%20Zant%20and%20Torkia%20Mahloul%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Healthtech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Three%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24400%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mental%20health%20support%20in%20the%20UAE
%3Cp%3E%E2%97%8F%20Estijaba%20helpline%3A%208001717%3Cbr%3E%E2%97%8F%20UAE%20Ministry%20of%20Health%20and%20Prevention%20hotline%3A%20045192519%3Cbr%3E%E2%97%8F%20UAE%20Mental%20health%20support%20line%3A%20800%204673%20(Hope)%3Cbr%3EMore%20information%20at%20hope.hw.gov.ae%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
Director: Shady Ali
Cast: Boumi Fouad , Mohamed Tharout and Hisham Ismael
Rating: 3/5
GULF MEN'S LEAGUE
Pool A Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Exiles, Dubai Tigers 2
Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
Opening fixtures
Thursday, December 5
6.40pm, Pitch 8, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Knights Eagles
7pm, Pitch 2, Jebel Ali Dragons v Dubai Tigers
7pm, Pitch 4, Dubai Hurricanes v Dubai Exiles
7pm, Pitch 5, Bahrain v Dubai Eagles 2
Recent winners
2018 Dubai Hurricanes
2017 Dubai Exiles
2016 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2015 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
2014 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Five films to watch
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Pom Poki (1994)
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
