Would you fancy a stay in a 400+ years old fort which has been turned into a luxury resort?
If the answer to the above is a YES, then there is no better place to go than Alila, Bishangarh!
Bishangarh is a small village located in Jalor district, Rajasthan and has a small but happy population of just 5000. With just 62 Kms. away from Jaipur City and 200 Kms. from Delhi, it is the perfect weekend getaway for people from both Jaipur and Delhi who want to enjoy a tranquil and opulent time. Rajasthan has been our second home because of it's close proximity from Delhi-NCR and we've had our fair share of royal Rajasthani hotels and resorts.
But Alila - Fort Bishangarh is different. It is not just any other stay option, it is an experience! - An experience of the local life, culture and traditions of Rajasthan.
Also, because we promote sustainable and eco-friendly spots, this property had been on our radar for a long time now because it is committed to a sustainable future, preserving the extraordinary natural beauty of the region and promotes local artisans, food and culture. They also encourage guests to participate in experiences and programs that promote responsible tourism.
Let us take you on a virtual tour of the property:
It is perched on top of a granite hillock in the midst of a vast expanse of the Aravalli Range, villages and temples. It took ten years for the owners to convert this fort into a resort and this property has now been taken over by Hyatt. There are five F&B options inside the resort catering to All Day Dining, Indian Rajput cuisine, Tapas, Mediterranean and a cute little French Styled Café. You can also enjoy a majestic spa treatment here. Couples can opt for the couple spa in one of the spa rooms with an open-air bath tub offering a 180 degree view of the surrounding Aravalli Hills. You may choose a sunset slot and watch the sun go down with your partner, as you relax with a glass of wine after a massage.
Prices Starting From: INR 17,500/- plus taxes per room including breakfast (The experiences are charged extra)
Room Booked: Heritage Room (We had booked the monsoon package at INR 21,000/- all inclusive which included all meals, high tea and any one experience)
How to Reach: Located at a distance of 200 kms. away from Delhi (towards Jaipur), the best option is to either drive in your own vehicle or rent a cab.
Day 1:
We arrived at the reception at around 11 am. The reception is no less than a small resort in itself. It has a lush green area for receiving guests, an organic garden and a poolside Haveli restaurant where guests can enjoy lunch with the view of the pool and the Bishangarh Fort in all its splendor.
We were served welcome drinks at the reception and then were taken to the fort entrance in open jeeps as it is a 2 minute drive uphill from the reception area.
The entrance to the fort; leading to the rooms; is a visual delight in itself. Surrounded by cannons at the entrance, the architecture is influenced by the Mughals and the British. While transforming it into a luxury hotel, the owners made sure that the palace retains its regal design and structure.
After a quick tour of the property, we then headed over to our rooms. We had booked the heritage room which was upgraded to the Royal Suite - thanks to Pragya - the marketing manager at Alila. The room made us feel we were in the zenith of royalty. The room was modern yet traditional with all the comforts and conveniences - expansive bathrooms with built-in bathtubs and a large king-size bed. The room had a 'jharokha' style window, offering uninterrupted and breathtaking views of the rural scenery and Aravalli ranges!
In the afternoon, we went to their Restaurant - Amarsar, for lunch. We opted for some Rajasthani delicacies like gatta curry, paneer papad ki sabzi and dal baati. The food was lip smacking!
We had booked the Monsoon Package which included a beautiful tour called the " THE FORGOTTEN TRAIL " - taking the guests through the un-explored, raw parts of Bishangarh Village and an off-roading experience in open jeeps. The driver took us through the old muddy streets of the village set beside the lush green vegetation and surrounded by the beautiful Aravalli ranges, while also entertaining us by narrating old village tales. We stopped by an ancient temple to enjoy the sunset, with a cup of tea and an array of deep fried snacks especially prepared for us by the hotel management. The hot masala tea, the fresh snacks and the clean air made the entire experience even more special. The tour made us extremely nostalgic, reminding us of childhood days and simple living!
Alternatively, you could also choose one of the below experiences:
1. Morning trek to the Aravalli range
2. Rasoda Masterclass where you can master your skills in cooking Rajasthani meals
3. Meet local artisans of the village, where you can try your hand at weaving and learn about the Rajasthani pottery style.
In the evening, a special dinner was arranged for us at the open air - Nazara Restaurant. The restaurant specializes in Rajput hunter cuisine with live sandpit and fire pit cooking. We enjoyed the breathtaking view while dining under the stars. What a perfect way to end your day!
Day 2:
We woke up early in the morning to further explore the property. Mornings are also our favourite time to shoot and take beautiful photographs because there isn't much disturbance around.
We absolutely love organic and fresh produce, hence we had requested a meal in their organic garden. A table was laid out and a typical Rajasthani breakfast called the "THALA" was cooked using some of the fresh produce from the garden and we enjoyed the breakfast in the shadow of the fort. A cup of tea with the view of the grand fort was simply mesmerizing and we highly recommend this experience!
Sadly with that, came the end to our short and sweet trip to Bishangarh and we headed back home. We absolutely loved this place and would recommend visiting this place at-least once.
The Benjabi recommendation:
1. Breakfast at the organic gardens of Alila, Bishangarh
2. FORGOTTEN TRAIL experience in Open Jeeps
Also, find the links to our youtube and instagram channel below:
Instagram - The Benjabi Affair
You can also check out our stories on Instagram related to the Bishangarh experience. We have made a separate highlight for it which captures all the videos and pictures!
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-By The Benjabi Affair