It isn’t everyday that you get to sleep in a 230 year old warrior fort in ultimate luxury. Alila Fort Bishangarh promises its guests many such firsts.

We’ve stayed in our fair share of gorgeous Rajasthani hotels – in fact the Indian state has some of the most beautiful hotels in the world. But Alila Fort Bishangarh is different. Here you’ll see none of the over-the-top opulence or busy interiors that seem to be a cornerstone of most luxury hotels in the area. In fact, the raw character of the fortress has been preserved and it is this organic nature that sets this hotel apart.

Despite its history as a warrior fort, the interiors of the hotel are bedecked in calming shades of white and ecru. The minimalistic interior of the hotel does justice to its rich history while simultaneously paying homage to current trends in interior design. The result? An unparalleled luxury experience that is so much more than just a hotel stay!

Getting to Alila Fort Bishangarh

We would highly recommend a 2-3 night stay at Alila Fort Bishangarh if you’re looking for a short weekend getaway from Delhi or Jaipur. The closest airports are in Jaipur and Delhi. Alila Fort Bishangarh is a comfortable 3 hour drive from Delhi and a 40 minute drive from Jaipur.

Choosing a room at Alila Fort Bishangarh

Rooms at Alila Fort Bishangarh are spacious and come equipped with elegant furnishings and sleek cabinets that discreetly house amenities like a mini-bar and television. The hotel offers a selection of rooms – choose one based on your preference.

• Heritage Rooms are smaller than others but boast of intricately-carved windows, luxurious bathrooms, and comfortable beds
• Suites are extremely spacious, luxurious, and ideal if you’re celebrating your honeymoon or a special occasion
• If you’re a keen photographer or love waking up to incredible views, then try to choose a room in the tower. These have huge windows and reading corners overlooking the surrounding village of Bishangarh and the Aravalli Hills

Dining at Alila Fort Bishangarh

Dining at Alila Fort Bishangarh can only be described as experiential dining. Here meals aren’t just meals – they’re something more. That’s why we recommend setting aside a couple of hours for each meal instead of rushing through them.

Alila Fort Bishangarh has 3 restaurants but Nazaara would have to be our favourite – the open-air restaurant is especially gorgeous at dinner. Expect live Rajasthani music, piping hot food cooked in claypots, and cocktails with an inextricably Indian edge – I would definitely suggest their sampling platters accompanied by achaari Mojitos – so good! We sampled everything from local Rajasthani curries to Mediterranean flatbreads and salads at the hotel, but the one thing that stood out every single time was the quality of the produce. Perhaps that is because most of the fruits and vegetables served at the hotel are grown in-house at the hotel’s organic garden. And does anything taste better than locally-sourced seasonal produce?

If you’re a fan of al-fresco meals and fresh produce, then you could even request a meal in the organic garden. A table is laid out and a typical Rajasthani meal is cooked in front of your eyes as you devour the meal in the shadow of the fort – priceless!

Leisure at Alila Fort Bishangarh

All that eating and exploring is bound to leave you exhausted. Perhaps that’s why we were saving the best parts of the hotel for this section – the spa and pool at Alila Fort Bishangarh are the stuff of dreams. The pool is located in a little building at the foot of the fortress, which ensures stunning views of the hotel from the pool. We would highly recommend packing a book and spending a chunk of your weekend getaway at the poolside.

For another spell of rejuvenation, book yourself an indulgent spa treatment. You can even book massages for your little ones in case you’re travelling as a family. If you’re at the hotel for a romantic getaway, then we would recommend considering a treatment at their couples spa room. The room boasts of an exquisite open-air bath tub offering a 180 degree view of the surrounding Aravalli Hills. Choose a sunset slot and watch the sun go down with your partner, as you relax with glasses of champagne after a massage. What more could you possibly want?

Packing for Alila Fort Bishangarh

When it comes to packing for the hotel, we would suggest opting for colourful resort wear. Loose cotton trousers and maxi dresses are ideal for the day. Smart casuals are perfect for dinner, so make sure you pack crisp shirts and linen trousers for men and elegant dresses for women. If you’re going during winter months, then you must pack a warm jacket or a selection of jumpers as evenings tend to get quite chilly in the countryside.

Don’t forget to pack your swimsuits for a dip in the glorious pool. Make sure you pack comfortable shoes and a large scarf for visits to the surrounding villages or local temples. We would suggest giving high heels a miss because you will be walking a fair bit on cobbled pathways in and around the hotel.

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Yet to discover a garment prettier than a saree – All this colour in Rajasthan makes my heart sing ????

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Things to do in Bishangarh and beyond

The hotel offers a variety of excursions for guest. You could go for a sunset safari in the desert, take a walk in the neighbouring village, book a cooking class for yourself, or drool over endless fields of yellow mustard flowers that surround the hotel (they bloom during November). Combine this with languorous meals and afternoons spent by the pool, and you’re ensured days full of adventures, even for the most restless of souls.

If you’re looking for additional things to do in the area, then the pink city of Jaipur is just a short drive away. If you do choose to venture to Jaipur for a day out, don’t forget to read our list of things to do in Jaipur.

It’s always a great idea to check and compare prices before booking.

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