This Grand New Hotel in Rajasthan Was Designed for a Legendary Queen

The Dinogo perspective—a contemporary palace inspired by historical elegance

Opened in July 2024, Raffles Jaipur leaves a stunning impression, even amidst a city renowned for its luxurious retreats. A hand-cut marble inlay floor graces the entire hotel, adorned with scalloped archways, elaborate moldings, artisan-crafted furniture, plush velvet seating, and abundant gold accents. It harmonizes beautifully with the culturally rich capital of Rajasthan, celebrated for its intricate Mughal and Rajput palaces and forts. As the second hotel in the area from the luxury brand Raffles (following Raffles Udaipur, which launched in 2021), Raffles Jaipur is a new establishment that feels deeply rooted in local heritage. Nestled in Jaipur's Kukas district, the hotel is designed to reflect a zenana, or queen’s palace, featuring intricately latticed interior balconies and alcoves from which a queen might traditionally observe the world below.

Upon arrival, I was welcomed by a doorman in a Rajasthani turban as I stepped out at a gold-trimmed cotton Shikar tent, a custom for royal travelers during the Mughal period. Following a warm security check, I was led past a reflecting pool framed by sandstone columns and orange trees, into a magnificent hotel lobby boasting a painted domed ceiling adorned with celestial golden birds, symbolizing good fortune.

Who is it for? Culture enthusiasts and peace seekers

The lavish environment and serene ambiance create an ideal escape for honeymooners, while those who appreciate craftsmanship, heritage, and design will find joy in the remarkable artisanal work adorning the hotel. Although the hotel doesn't explicitly cater to children (don’t anticipate kids’ menus or high chairs), many families, including my own, enjoyed their stay, and the staff were attentive and supportive whenever we required assistance. Guests have access to a dedicated kids’ play area with a child-minder and suitable activities at the neighboring Fairmont Jaipur, though we didn’t take advantage of it.

The setting—centrally located in Rajasthan

Raffles Jaipur is situated in the heart of Rajasthan, just 17 miles from Jaipur International Airport and a 20-minute drive north of the iconic Pink City. Surrounded by the lush Aravalli Range, it offers stunning views from the spectacular rooftop infinity pool, adorned with pavilions featuring keyhole archways and leopard sculptures. Many of the region's most enchanting attractions, including Amber Fort (just five miles away), are easily accessible.

The rooms beautifully showcase local craftsmanship, highlighting the rich heritage of the region.

Surrounding a central atrium filled with palm trees, the long hallways lead to 50 thoughtfully designed guest rooms and suites by Clive Gray of Randolph Gray Design. Each room boasts a spacious balcony, either featuring a plunge pool or a soaking tub.

Our room, awash in a soft buttery yellow, was a dreamy space adorned with golden murals, a canopied bed, intricate brass tables, painted ceilings, local art, and camel bone inlay furniture, complemented by luxurious hand-knotted rugs from Jaipur. The bathroom, with its platinum-toned marble, a matching claw-foot tub, and carved stone sinks, felt like stepping into a jewel box. Amidst the timeless elegance, modern amenities like USB charging ports, button-operated curtains, and a smart toilet were seamlessly integrated. While the overly sensitive motion-detecting lights in the bathroom and under the bedside tables were a bit bothersome, I must admit we barely moved after sinking into the plush beds following a long day of exploration.

The dining experience—regional dishes served in enchanting environments.

Among the four restaurants on-site, the standout is Arkaa, an impressive venue featuring mirrored thikri artwork, leopard-print seating, and lavish gilded decor; a flautist occasionally enhances the breakfast atmosphere. Outside, through elegant glass doors with brass leopard handles, there's a charming al fresco dining space complete with a long embossed metal table, a floral fabric ceiling, and intricate jali screens.

Arkaa specializes in innovative North Indian cuisine, focusing on vegan and vegetarian offerings that reflect the traditional dishes served in the women’s quarters of a Mughal court, using ingredients sourced from local micro farms. The menu clearly indicates 14 common allergens for those with dietary restrictions. Initially overwhelmed by the intriguing regional specialties, I found the staff eager to assist. My standout dishes included do phool, tandoor-grilled broccoli with a rich sauce and crispy mushroom “chips,” the Old Delhi Chicken Tikka with a complex blend of over a dozen spices, and the incredibly flavorful, fork-tender lamb and rice dish known as gosht dum biryani.

The Safir tea and cocktail lounge, adorned with golden fountains and towering taxidermied palm trees from California, offers a magical atmosphere. It's perfect for leisurely lunches and light bites (my daughter and I particularly loved the lamb sliders and mushroom pakora), as well as for traditional afternoon tea featuring leaves from London Tea Exchange. As evening falls, tea-based cocktails and champagne gain popularity, accompanied by live musicians performing enchanting ragas.

The Writers Bar is inspired by the iconic bar of the same name at the original Raffles Singapore hotel, celebrating the literary greats like Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling who left their imprint on the establishment. This pale blue venue features stunning Jaipur-style decorative paintings on towering bookshelves housing a collection of around 3,000 volumes. Guests can enjoy Rajasthan-inspired cocktails, such as a saffron martini, along with a variety of delectable small plates that could easily substitute for dinner. A spiral staircase leads to a concealed wine cellar.

Staff and service—thoughtful and meticulous in every detail.

During my check-in, just a few weeks post-opening, I occasionally sensed the hotel’s fresh nature when housekeeping service didn’t perfectly align with our schedule. However, I generally felt like a cherished guest, largely due to my butler, Snehal, who reached out via WhatsApp before my arrival. Snehal kindly offered to unpack for us, but I felt too shy to let someone see the contents of our bags after traveling with a baby and a three-year-old. Nevertheless, as Raffles intended, we ended up depending on her extensively. She rearranged a spa booking, returned my forgotten earrings, babysat our sleeping daughters one evening for a quiet dinner, and even called the hotel doctor when my husband had a fever, subsequently ordering him a nourishing meal of kitchari.

Snehal also coordinated everything from guided tours and artisan workshops to hiking excursions in the nearby hills and dining experiences in local village homes. She could even arrange a day trip to the Taj Mahal or a leopard sMytouri.

Accessibility

The hotel features wide doorways in its restaurants that allow for easy access without the need for steps or ramps, and there is an accessible restroom available for guests. However, it is important to note that there are no designated accessible rooms, and the rooftop pool lacks a lift.

Spa and wellness

The jasmine-infused spa spans over 6,500 square feet, featuring a complex of treatment rooms that include hot and cold mineral pools, a hammam, and a sauna. This spa truly enriched my experience with its extensive range of services, emphasizing Eastern techniques and utilizing opulent ingredients such as 24-karat gold, pearls, and saffron oil. After a discussion with the spa manager, I opted for a posture alignment therapy session with a visiting specialist, whose unique combination of stretching, massage, and energy work rejuvenated me completely.

The facility boasts a cutting-edge fitness studio that operates 24 hours a day, along with offerings for yoga classes and guided meditation sessions, including chakra meditation, trataka, and the traditional candle-gazing meditation. I managed to fit in both my cardio workout and meditation at the rooftop pool. Between my swimming laps, I took a moment to appreciate the stunning views of the layered mountains, chattris (dome-shaped pavilions), and the nearby pink Hindu temple, its shikhara rising above the trees like another mountain peak.