Amidst all the chaos of pandemic if you badly want to escape the dull monotony of city then Neemrana fort would definitely offer you a royal but tranquil and safe retreat. This magnificent fort palace is a unique example of abandoned waste turned into 14 tiered architectural marvel with step gardens, palace wings, arch pavilions and amphitheatre. The Neemrana group has brilliantly restored this 15th century fort into a luxurious, picture perfect palace. This is a place where you can literally realize how a royal living feels like.
You can go to Neemrana just for a day trip or you can plan one or two nights stay over there. However, I'd strongly recommend if your budget allows, try to stay in the palace at least for a night. Else, the experience would be like just sitting on the beach and not dipping your toe in the crashing waves.
How to Go:
Neemrana fort is on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. It takes only 3 hours from Delhi airport and this route is considered to be the most convenient one. The nearest railway station is Alwar station and one can easily get taxi ride to Neemrana palace.
When to Go
Obviously, winter is the best season to visit Rajasthan when the climate remains quite pleasant. I visited Neemrana in March this year and I found the weather to be quite comfortable. But from the hotel staffs I came to know that this lavish property attracts tourists all around the year. Even in off season like June-September, it gets a lot of bookings as the room tariffs go on a bit lower side.
Budget and Timing
If you're planning just a day trip to Neemrana on weekdays, then you have to buy a ticket that costs around INR 1700/- which includes a lunch buffet (Rs. 1416) and entry fee (Rs. 284/-). Over weekend the ticket costs Rs. 2000/- (Lunch 1416 and Entry fee 584/-). The fort timing is 9 AM. to 3 PM. If you're planning to stay there overnight you need to book a room in advance. On this note, I'd like to mention Neemrana group is one of the most renowned groups in Indian tourism industry and felicitated with many national and international awards. This property allows its visitors discovering five centuries of history experienced with all modern comforts and amenities. This palace owns rooms of wide range of tariffs. The single occupancy room will cost around INR 4500/- plus taxes and double occupancy rooms starts from INR 7400/- plus taxes to INR 35000/- plus taxes per night basis. So, always ensure the booking in advance to avoid last hour overpriced rate. Booking can directly be done from their website or any other hotel booking sites.
Covid Restrictions and Regulations
Travellers visiting Neemrana fort need to submit a negative RTPCR report within past 72 hours. They don't entertain any guest if one fails to show covid negative report. The hygiene, cleanliness and other covid guidelines like sanitization etc has been strictly maintained all over the property.
Experience in Neemrana Fort Palace
After spending one stale year inside home when I finally went out for a suddenly planned, short trip to Rajasthan, I was in a state of blur. It was difficult to accept that those itchy feet have hit the road again.
Mornings of March are always very dear to my heart. Specially in Rajasthan, March seems more mysterious. It feels a lot like spring but also a bit of newly arrived infant summar. Every morning the sun unfolded his daily ritual with Bilahari Raaga echoing across the fort. The honking peacocks, proudly flying from one end to the other showed that this place majorly belongs to them.
Neemrana fort palace is one of the oldest heritage luxury hotels in country. Its exquisite beauty and royal yet vintage essence can teleport you to some other world. A perfect blend of antique furnitures with morden colour and material added a lot of charm to the interior. Narrow staircases, low ceiling rooms, high antique beds, dome shaped porch, chandeliers, huge paintings and the lovely arches loudly spoke of history and royalty.
Each and every room of this palace has some historical significance and unique in its own way.
Some of the best rooms of this property are Deva Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Francis Mahal, Tulsi Mahal, Uma vilas and Apsara Mahal. Most of the rooms have an open and cozy sit out area overlooking the tranquil village and Aravalli range.
This fort palace boasts two restaurants, a bar and a cafe. Two turquoise blue pools surrounded with splash of greenery against medieval charm of the fort are absolute soothe to the eyes. The battalion of enthusiastic pink Bougainville here and there giggle over the black iron door and mustard color fort wall.
What amazed me the most about this property is the absence of mainstream TV and room service facilities. My mornings started with stumptuous complementary breakfast and long dips in the pool afterwards. The blazing afternoons were mostly spent with lazy sips of mocktails at Hawa Mahal. As the crimson dusk slowly turns into grey evening, guests start gathering in the amphitheatre to indulge in the cultural show. This palace retains its elegance and royalty by hosting cultural evening where the invited artists amaze the visitors with their performance from Indian traditional stream. I was lucky enough to get a lavish gala dinner included in my package.
As the crimson dusk slowly turns into grey evening, guests start gathering in the amphitheatre to indulge in the cultural show. This palace retains its elegance and royalty by hosting cultural evening where the invited artists amaze the visitors with their performance from Indian traditional stream. I was lucky enough to get a lavish gala dinner included in my package.
Slowly the silence of night envelops the entire palace and the Neemrana fort dotted with glimmering lights peacefully sleeps in the arms of mighty Aravalli range.
Residents staying in Neemrana palace can also avail a 5km vintage car ride around Neemrana village for INR 1300/-. Vintage car ride booking needs to be done at reception.
Three days in Neemrana passed by in a blink; like sand slipping through my hands. Travel always slows me down like there's no tomorrow. It always feels like leaving this ordinary 3d world behind for few moments and seeing my soul smiling with no bound.
I'm very sure, after coming back from Neemrana your IG profile would be flooded with some vibrant and bright picture with all kind of lovely peppy colors.