"Long before one can enjoy the Neemrana Experience, it is vital to humble oneself before the vast and continuous sprawl of history. Humans come later."- a quote from their website.
Tijara Fort Palace stands tall and foreboding on a hilltop. As you approach this new addition to the Neemrana Group of Hotels, the tall grasslands play hide and seek with the view of the Fort. A wide but steep entrance through the palace gates reminds me of the established Neemrana Fort in Delhi.
I have known the owner of Neemrana Group, Aman Nath, for the last 17 years. He is a neighbour and a friend. We recently connected through work at the Indian Heritage Hotels Association, and I was almost embarrassed that I had not accepted his many invitations to visit his new "baby." So when I had some time this autumn, I jumped into my car and drove off into the wilderness, only to be surprised by the sheer enormity of the Fort and what Aman has done to convert the old 19th century ruins into a grand palace hotel. I cannot even begin to imagine what a mammoth task it must have been to renovate the old ruins of the Fort and transform it into this splendid Palace Hotel. Keeping to traditional architectural guidelines, getting licenses from the Government and even building the roads to access the Fort could not have been an easy task. Yet this is exactly why these boutique hotels of the IHHA are charming and unique - they are more a labour of love put together with all historic details in place.
Located only 2.5 hours away from Delhi, Tijara Fort makes an easy getaway for weekends from Delhi. My friend Meg Lambert a.k.a. "an english woman abroad" joined me on the trip. We were on a Mystic Asia journey into the heart of Indian heritage.
We arrived at lunchtime and were given a very elaborate Thali lunch of Rajasthani food. I indulged in some "normal" food after a long time!Aman told me they would be starting a new restaurant with "sattvik" food! I shall look forward to it! Food was delicious although a little oily for my liking.
The sunset lit up the radiant hues of the red sandstone of the Fort. Ending with some meditation we headed straight to the spa.
Oh yes ! and on the way I spotted something that was interesting.......
The double OM!!
Raja Sitlhou was warm and welcoming to the Oriental Senses Spa that he runs at Tijara Fort. He was almost apologetic that the new spa premises were not yet ready for use. Never mind, I said, we will be back!
The Oriental Senses spa is run by husband and wife (Raja and Ahoi) team with what seems like a hands on, personal attention, vibe.
They seemed very sincere, very caring, very eager that we have a good experience. The temporary spa was set up in one of the rooms and the two therapy beds were separated by a makeshift screen for our purpose. I understood that special therapists were brought in for us too, which was very touching indeed. They had only one gown so we couldnt pose in "white"! I always have an immediate rapport with North Eastern staff so it was easy for me to feel at home. My therapist Mesavino or Avi, for short, was of Naga origin. I amused her with some of my Nagamese knowledge and then we got down to business. I opted for a deep tissue massage.
The spa menu was non fussy, compact and to the point with the standard therapies on offer.
Avi gave me an unusually large disposable underwear to change into and began kneading my body with a sensitive touch. She was petit girl so I almost felt bad to ask her to go deeper into my tissues and muscles. (I like my massage to be quite painful, nicely I mean!). I think I reached her limits, poor girl, as I continued to ask her to go deeper! The oil smelt nice with a combination of lavender and lemon, homemade by Ahoi herself. I think the base oil was sesame, I was not sure.
and then moved to the edge of the building for some meditation.
I am so grateful for every moment that comes my way in this wonderful world of travel, specially moments like these that are precious and unforgettable. Little sparks of magic that make life very worth living.
Tijara Fort Palace stands tall and foreboding on a hilltop. As you approach this new addition to the Neemrana Group of Hotels, the tall grasslands play hide and seek with the view of the Fort. A wide but steep entrance through the palace gates reminds me of the established Neemrana Fort in Delhi.
I have known the owner of Neemrana Group, Aman Nath, for the last 17 years. He is a neighbour and a friend. We recently connected through work at the Indian Heritage Hotels Association, and I was almost embarrassed that I had not accepted his many invitations to visit his new "baby." So when I had some time this autumn, I jumped into my car and drove off into the wilderness, only to be surprised by the sheer enormity of the Fort and what Aman has done to convert the old 19th century ruins into a grand palace hotel. I cannot even begin to imagine what a mammoth task it must have been to renovate the old ruins of the Fort and transform it into this splendid Palace Hotel. Keeping to traditional architectural guidelines, getting licenses from the Government and even building the roads to access the Fort could not have been an easy task. Yet this is exactly why these boutique hotels of the IHHA are charming and unique - they are more a labour of love put together with all historic details in place.
Located only 2.5 hours away from Delhi, Tijara Fort makes an easy getaway for weekends from Delhi. My friend Meg Lambert a.k.a. "an english woman abroad" joined me on the trip. We were on a Mystic Asia journey into the heart of Indian heritage.
We arrived at lunchtime and were given a very elaborate Thali lunch of Rajasthani food. I indulged in some "normal" food after a long time!Aman told me they would be starting a new restaurant with "sattvik" food! I shall look forward to it! Food was delicious although a little oily for my liking.
We strolled around the huge property comprising of the three main buildings, the Mardana Mahal, the Rani Mahal and the Hawa Mahal. Seven terraced gardens connecting these Mahals command a magnificent view above the tall ramparts that have now been lovingly completed and restored.
My favourite spot was the stunning Ikkat floor tiles that formed a carpet in the main hall of Mardana Mahal.
The rooms have been designed by well known personalities of the art world and painted murals adorn the walls and ceilings of several of the rooms. I was pleasantly surprised to find that "Anjolie Mahal"
which was allocated to me, had walls painted by one of Indias most talented artists, Anjolie Ela Menon.
Her signature was inscribed on the walls for posterity. Beautiful!
My favourite spot was the stunning Ikkat floor tiles that formed a carpet in the main hall of Mardana Mahal.
The rooms have been designed by well known personalities of the art world and painted murals adorn the walls and ceilings of several of the rooms. I was pleasantly surprised to find that "Anjolie Mahal"
which was allocated to me, had walls painted by one of Indias most talented artists, Anjolie Ela Menon.
Her signature was inscribed on the walls for posterity. Beautiful!
In the evening, Meg and I got down to do some much needed stretches and Yoga after the long drive from Delhi.
The sunset lit up the radiant hues of the red sandstone of the Fort. Ending with some meditation we headed straight to the spa.
Oh yes ! and on the way I spotted something that was interesting.......
The double OM!!
Raja Sitlhou was warm and welcoming to the Oriental Senses Spa that he runs at Tijara Fort. He was almost apologetic that the new spa premises were not yet ready for use. Never mind, I said, we will be back!
The Oriental Senses spa is run by husband and wife (Raja and Ahoi) team with what seems like a hands on, personal attention, vibe.
They seemed very sincere, very caring, very eager that we have a good experience. The temporary spa was set up in one of the rooms and the two therapy beds were separated by a makeshift screen for our purpose. I understood that special therapists were brought in for us too, which was very touching indeed. They had only one gown so we couldnt pose in "white"! I always have an immediate rapport with North Eastern staff so it was easy for me to feel at home. My therapist Mesavino or Avi, for short, was of Naga origin. I amused her with some of my Nagamese knowledge and then we got down to business. I opted for a deep tissue massage.
The spa menu was non fussy, compact and to the point with the standard therapies on offer.
We started off with a foot soak in lukewarm water and rose petals, Thai style.
Avi gave me an unusually large disposable underwear to change into and began kneading my body with a sensitive touch. She was petit girl so I almost felt bad to ask her to go deeper into my tissues and muscles. (I like my massage to be quite painful, nicely I mean!). I think I reached her limits, poor girl, as I continued to ask her to go deeper! The oil smelt nice with a combination of lavender and lemon, homemade by Ahoi herself. I think the base oil was sesame, I was not sure.
I have to say here that the hospitality shown by Raj and Ahoi was refreshingly personal and caring and I think what most spas dont realise is that a customer comes to a spa to be spoilt, to receive some TLC. So being caring, sincere and some kind words can always touch a soul. This was the best part of my experience with them- the warmth with which I was welcomed.
As the massage relaxed me into a state of sleep, an hour later, I was woken up on my table. Meg was almost asleep too. We yawned, stretched and filled ourselves with gratitude for this amazing journey that we were on.
We sauntered off to dinner soon after that and decided to have an early night so we could catch the morning light at sunrise the next day.
Sure enough, at 5.45 am we were up
at the Hawa Mahal to watch the sun rise and I was treated to a fabulous sun "wash" through my Sahasara (crown) Chakra !!
We found a nice spot amongst the corridor of pillars to do our yoga
at the Hawa Mahal to watch the sun rise and I was treated to a fabulous sun "wash" through my Sahasara (crown) Chakra !!
We found a nice spot amongst the corridor of pillars to do our yoga
and then moved to the edge of the building for some meditation.
A hearty breakfast of yummy Poha and an hour of swimming is how we spent the morning. The enormous open air pool is set at a lower level.
The water was cool and inviting. Am sure it would be stunning to swim in the night and watch the stars while on a backstroke!
The water was cool and inviting. Am sure it would be stunning to swim in the night and watch the stars while on a backstroke!
I spent the rest of the morning enjoying the balcony outside my room,
feeling the gentle breeze while I caught up with my reading on Devdutt Patnaiks interpretation of the Devi (in keeping to the theme of Navratri and Durga Puja!).
We quickly grabbed some lunch and with heavy hearts said bye to our short sojourn in "Wonderland"!
It felt like a dream.
feeling the gentle breeze while I caught up with my reading on Devdutt Patnaiks interpretation of the Devi (in keeping to the theme of Navratri and Durga Puja!).
We quickly grabbed some lunch and with heavy hearts said bye to our short sojourn in "Wonderland"!
It felt like a dream.
I am so grateful for every moment that comes my way in this wonderful world of travel, specially moments like these that are precious and unforgettable. Little sparks of magic that make life very worth living.
Thank you Aman, Vivek and Raja and Ahoi.
Recommendation: Im sure the new spa will have a more aesthetic space than the one we experienced and I wish them luck with that. I hope to visit again soon. The collaterals could also be brought in line with a definite brand image.
Recommendation: Im sure the new spa will have a more aesthetic space than the one we experienced and I wish them luck with that. I hope to visit again soon. The collaterals could also be brought in line with a definite brand image.
No comments:
Post a Comment