Ever wondered how the kings and queens of the middle ages lived? Wondered what it would be like to live in an ancestral royal palace straight out of history books? Are you looking to not just read history, but live it and in it even if just for a getaway? Well, look no further, Rajasthan is the land known for its forts and palaces, built centuries ago some as old as 300 years, by the kings and warriors of the middle ages. Some Spa and Heritage Hotels Rajasthan estates were left in ruins or abandoned decades ago and have been restored back to their glory, while some have been carefully managed by the descendants to date. Spread across the state, this list of Top 10 Spa and Heritage Hotels Rajasthan explores some of the best, top-rated, luxury fort palaces that take you back to medieval times for a relaxing and pleasurable dip into history.
The list of spa and heritage hotel Rajasthan has been sorted in descending order (highest to lowest) of price per day in order to maintain transparency of ranking.
If you are a fan of offbeat adventure with decadent dining and outdoor hot tubs check number 3!
Per day USD 647.4 | INR 48,149+
Part of the global Aman chain of Hotel and spa, Amanbagh Spa and Heritage Hotel Rajasthan is one of the perfect combinations for royalty meets serenity. Set in the picturesque Aravali Hills, once the staging area for royal hunts, the beige stone structure of the palace creates a beautiful symphony with its surroundings and stands out with the green landscapes of the estate of various trees from palms to eucalyptus. Founded in the 17th Century, etched with Mughal architecture, the palace is ideal for a spa, luxury and heritage getaway in Rajasthan.
Among the many things one can experience in this history rich locale, is the ghost town Bhangarh; rumoured to be haunted and a declared heritage site. Guests can enjoy a tour of the ghost town, jeep safaris, Sariska Tiger Reserve, Somsagar lake and meet the village locals over a cup of tea.
The spa and heritage Hotel Rajasthan provides various wellness immersions for a rejuvenating and serene break from everyday life. Their 7-day advanced yoga retreat is for those who have a foundation in the practices of yoga and to deepen their practice and knowledge of the teachings of yoga. Apart from the 7-day retreat, one can choose the ‘Sunrise Contemplation', a yoga program designed with the forms of Hatha Yoga and meditation at the deserted Pratapgarh Fort atop a hill, or the Yoga & Mindfulness retreat that is ideal for beginners and advanced practitioners, the Detox & Cleansing program for finding the inner balance and clear out toxins through yoga and ayurveda. The Aman Spa is among the best features of the Hotel, which provides various ayurvedic massage and therapies for individual cases tailored to the needs of the guest by experts at the Hotel including the signature Maharaja/ Maharani spa treatments.
Enveloped in fruit trees and gardens, the accommodation at Amanbagh is everything luxury. The Pool Pavilion includes a spacious garden courtyard access and a private pool, while the Terrace Haveli Suite is ideal for those who prefer large open sitting areas overlooking the courtyard. They also have Garden Haveli Suite and Courtyard Haveli Suite which provide private terraces on the ground floor with the garden view and pool view respectively.
With keen focus on the dining experiences at Amanbagh, all meals are prepared from the private organic & ayurvedic garden at the estate, honouring traditional generationally handed down recipes along with international cuisines to satisfy individual taste buds.
COST USD 647.4 | INR 48,149+
Per day USD 298.2 | INR 22,183+
Recognised as one of the most unique heritage properties in India, built on a hillock with a view of the valley and surrounding Aravali Mountains, is spa and heritage Hotel Alila Fort Bishangarh belonging to the house of Shekhawat. This 230-year-old fortress has been restored with sustainability at the core, with materials being used from the ruins and locally found materials to keep in tune with the original aesthetics while incorporating modern day necessities. Every element of the fort has been thought through while the restoration process took place, as this unique masterpiece spread across 100,000 square feet has been built partly by marble and mostly with local sandstone.
At spa and heritage Hotel Alila Fort Bishangarh, Alila Spa is an exquisite experience to bring back your inner balance and rejuvenate. The spa offers different packages, one of their signature packages is the ‘Roots of Jaipur’ that uses herbs and spices from the region to immerse one into the wholesome spa and heritage Hotel of Rajasthan. Other services include Balinese massages, and curated couple massages followed by a special bath and wine. They also offer single day wellness packages curated for you, including yoga and meditation sessions. One can also enjoy a day by the royal pool on sunbeds sipping on a drink, or take a dip in the pool with the view of the surrounding landscape.
Stay like the kings once did in the presidential suite, a spacious 1000 plus square feet en suite with all amenities and a private terrace to sit out to take in the panoramic views. The Heritage Room offers a daybed by the royal window to spend time with yourself or read a book on a quiet afternoon with the Bishangarh village as the backdrop. Other luxury room types include the regal suites, grand suites, and royal suites and all promise comfort and a taste of the lives of kings and queens.
Designed and curated by renowned chef Ranveer Brar, the mesmerizing dining experience at Alila Fort Bishangarh is nothing short of memorable. Bringing back the old world delights of open fire, hot sand and slow cooking with the use of local and artisan spices, which can be truly enjoyed by meat lovers at Nazaara - an outdoor grill dining space with authentic Rajput cuisine. One of the original royal living quarters has been converted to an indoor specialty restaurant, Amarsar, named after the birthplace of Shekhawats. Old passages, secret niches and tunnels within the fortress have been retained to create lounge and dining spaces for small groups or meetings. For the quintessential cognacs and cigars like the royals, Madhuveni is the spot to be, with its thick stone wall openings used by the original residents to stop enemies from entering the fort for natural ventilation now. The Kachhawa Lounge serves the four Cs - Coffee, Cakes, Chai and Champagne which was the secret escape route of the royals. One can also choose to have a private dining experience with a loved one in any of the private locations of the fortress or take a masterclass in the authentic Rajasthani Rasosda Experience.
Some of the other experiences to enjoy at Alila Bishangarh are meeting the local artisans to see them work their magic up close with handicrafts and such, or a ride on a warrior’s horse to tour the old Bishangarh shelter and the river bed just like the Shekhawat Dynasty’s royal days.
Alila Fort Bishangarh the spa and heritage Hotel in Rajasthan has won multiple accolades over the years including multiple features by Conde Nast Traveler, for it’s remarkable restoration process and its thoughtful design.
COST USD 298.2 | INR 22,183+
Per day USD 183.2 | INR 13,625+
Set in the Aravali Hills, originally known as Delwara Fort Palace, was constructed in 1760 under the rule of Rajrana Sajja Singh II. The fort was a gift from Maharana Pratap of Mewar following the battle of Haldighati in 1576 for the bravery and loyalty of Rajrana Sajja Singh and his brother Ajja Singh. Skip to the 20th Century, when the fort palace was undertaken by a team of 750 persons to restore the majestic palace using locally sourced marble as was done during its original construction. It opened its doors to the public in 1999 after 15 years of restoration work, and was renamed as RAAS Devigarh spa and heritage Hotel Rajasthan. This eco-minded luxury hotel provides a unique blend of today’s times with the medieval charms of those times.
At RAAS, wellness is a priority. They believe in the holistic approach to wellness as well as a tailored experience for every individual’s doshas to create the right balance for a realignment of the senses. Among their ayurvedic offerings are packages that cater to detox, relaxation, de-stress, weight loss and such which include careful supervision under in-house doctors and dieticians. For the yoga seekers, The experience at spa and heritage Hotel RAAS Devigarh includes yogic diet, asanas, kriyas and meditation to enhance one’s inner balance and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul for a healthy lifestyle. Patrons can also indulge in specially curated ayurvedic menus that aim to balance the six tastes along with helping treat specific ailments. Another exotic way to relax at RAAS is their elevated outdoor hot tub, surrounded by greenery.
The accommodation at the fort palace is divided into four room types to cater to various desires of the guests. The Garden Suite overlooks the palace gardens which can be enjoyed from the privately tented balconies, the palace suite that enjoy the views of the mountains and the valley village of Delwara, the Devigarh Suite is a true gem of an experience with a private outdoor jacuzzi attached to the room with furnished with gold shades in its interiors. All rooms promise luxury and the feeling of royalty with modern and contemporary facilities.
Guests can indulge in local and international cuisines served at the Fort Palace’s restaurant and bars, while offering to serve the meals in the rooms or any part of the palace that may take one’s fancy. They also offer various private dining spaces that are luxuriously and tastefully designed keeping in line with the heritage of the estate.
They offer various curated experiences like rural Rajasthan, temple visits, a visit to Haldighati and more for a truly immersed getaway into the Rajasthani culture and heritage. The hotel has also been featured in the Conde Nast Traveler articles for its exquisite spa and wellness facilities.
COST USD 183.2 | INR 13,625+
Per day USD 127.6 | INR 9,489+
Located at Neemrana, Rajasthan, the palace spa and heritage Hotel Rajasthan is spread across twenty-five acres and was built in 1464, later abandoned in 1947 by Raja Rajinder Singh who eventually sold it to the Neemrana Group in 1986 who took over the estate for restoration purposes. It finally opened its doors to the public for stays in 1991 with a small number of rooms. Over the years, the complex has been further expanded into the 14-storey magnificent and majestic non-hotel hotel set in the Aravali hills. With beautiful landscapes around and within the estate, it features hanging gardens, salon, a spa, two infinity pools on higher levels of the complex for a mesmerising view while you swim, and more. It is one of the oldest heritage hotels of India with a rich history and culture, which takes one on a journey of the middle ages.
One of the key features of this Fort Palace is the spa which is located below the pool level and takes inspiration in design from traditional Rajasthani senses. Guests can choose from a wide variety of massage and ayurveda treatments offered here, for rejuvenation and finding the inner balance to break away from the busy routines of daily life. From body polishes to wraps, and other treatments like relief from sunburns, facial treatments, and such for a holistic experience at the spa and heritage Hotel Neemrana Fort Palace.
Accommodation at the spa and heritage Fort Palace is divided across nine wings in its widespread complex, which does require some amount of physical fitness to explore completely. All the rooms across the wings are designed and decorated tastefully while keeping luxury, comfort and royalty in mind. Each room is named differently even within the wings and they cater to the various views available from the property. This Fort Palace features an adult-only Sutra Mahal, which is inspired by the ancient text Kama Sutra; filled with erotic art pieces is ideal for couples and honeymooners!
There are four dining areas at the Fort namely Holi Kund, Jalgiri Mahal, Raj Mahal Bar and Uncha Bagh & Mukut Bagh which help the hotel change meal venues depending on the seasons between indoor and outdoor spaces. Guests can come to indulge in their traditional Indian and international cuisines made with local produce at these venues whilst enjoying majestically mystical views from the hill of the valley. A must try at this Hotel is their fresh ice creams that they make in-house!
One unique activity guests can enjoy at the Fort Palace is their own zipline among other attractions like the 18th Century step-well and camel rides. Neemrana Fort Palace and Spa has been featured in Conde Nast Traveler for its proximity to Delhi and its unique royal experience.
COST USD 127.6 | INR 9,489+
Per day USD 111.6 | INR 8,301+
Set atop a hill, with 360 degree panoramic views around the palace, the Tijara Fort Palace spa and heritage Hotel Rajasthan is a marvel to experience. The construction of the fort palace was started in the 1800s by Maharaja Balwant Singh, who was a beloved of his kingdom but left incomplete due to his premature death. The original structure was taken over by Neemrana to complete the construction of the rest of the estate including the much talked about terrace hanging gardens, often compared to the hanging gardens of Babylon.
A wellness retreat at Tijara is not complete without experiencing the royal style spa that will cater to all your whims of being pampered. With a wide variety of treatments from ailment related therapy to aromatherapy or global massages techniques. One of the key features of the complex is the sunken pool for a relaxing day atop a hill swimming amidst nature and royalty.
A mesmerising location, the complex includes three unfinished main structures, with the architectures inspired from the Rajput-Afghan styles; Mardana - for the royal men, Rani Mahal - for the royal women, and on the edge of the mountain lies the pleasure palace. Two of these, Mardana and Rani Mahal house the guest rooms and suites which have been designed and decorated by famous male and female artists and designers respectively. The rooms have also been named after the artists who’ve worked on the aesthetics of these rooms in the two structures.
Dining at Tijara Fort Palace can be enjoyed at various venues within the complex including palace views, under clear skies and more. The Hotel believes in the farm to table approach with meals and also has their own chicken coop, meaning fresh free range eggs for that perfect breakfast treat.
Conde Nast Traveler featured this 19th century fort palace in their special story for Alwar, a mystical magical land of history and culture.
COST USD 111.6 | INR 8,301+
Per day USD 97.8 | INR 7,280+
Fort Barli, located in Ajmer District, was built 341 years ago by Darbar Devi Das ji and has been restored by the descendants of the kings and warriors that sat on the throne during the provincial wars. This fort allows you to be royalty and treated like royalty for a few days away from your routine, with all the modern amenities for your comfort. This fort was built With a rich history of victories and bravery, guests get to experience the richness of the heritage and culture of the lineage and the fort.
Fort, spa and heritage Hotel Barli offers various wellness retreat services in a package for those staying a minimum of two nights. The retreat involves organic meals planned by dieticians, various treatments for rejuvenation and relaxation. One can also find the inner balance with ayurvedic massages and let go of any stress or tension with focused treatments. For a complete wellness experience, one can even book yoga sessions with experts at the fort for 60 minutes that can be tailored to your needs.
The fort has super deluxe rooms that are spacious and traditional in their design and feel, while fitted with modern amenities. They also have a Royal Suite aka the King’s chambers, for the complete royal experience. All meals served at the fort are sumptuous home cooked meals for the wholesomeness of your getaway.
While a tour of the fort is a must, other activities at Fort Barli spa and heritage Hotel Rajasthan include cooking demos, royal traditional meals, bird watching, and highly recommended bullock cart rides by multiple guests.
Fort Barli spa and heritage hotel Rajasthan is well connected by multiple modes of transport and will require some amount of planning. The nearest airport to the fort is Kishangarh airport (95kms) while Jaipur airport is 188 kms away. The closest railway station is Bijainagar at 8 kms away. For road connectivity, the fort is on NH 48, and is accessible from major cities like Udaipur, Jaipur and Delhi as well.
COST USD 97.8 | INR 7,280+