RAAS Jodhpur is the superb restoration creation of Rajput man-about-town Nikhilendra Singh and umpteen architects. Designed to reflect the unique character of the city, it combines modern blue and rose sandstone blocks with an ancient haveli. Jaali-slashed shutters dapple geometric light across 40 elegant bedrooms and suites and bathrooms, furniture is custom-made rosewood, and all the mod cons are in place.
Sitting in a big sunbowl beneath Jodhpur's 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort, RAAS showcases exquisite craftsmanship and gorgeous detail throughout. There's a lovely big turquoise swimming pool with curtained loungers, a patchwork lawn-and-paving courtyard garden, waterfall-backed reception and a dedicated spa. When hunger strikes, choose from the shady Baradari fine dining restaurant, the informal yet spectacularly located Stepwell Cafe, or the Darikhana restaurant, which has its own street entrance and welcomes non-guests. Add excellent unobtrusive service and you'll not dream of staying anywhere else in Jodhpur.
Highs
- The proximity to, and stunning views of, Jodhpur's deservedly famous Mehrangarh Fort; you're right in the walled city
- The life-saving refreshment from a dip in the beautiful infinity swimming pool and dedicated spa
- The mesmerising play of geometrically-patterned light in rooms and corridors, a modernist take on the dappled rays falling through the jaalis of old havelis
- A beautiful bubble from which to dip your toes into the city
- Surprisingly affordable for such a knockout creation; family-friendly
Lows
- It can be a tad noisy (especially the call to prayer) but they offer earplugs and you are in the center of an Indian city, so it's to be expected
- Heritage Suites lack fort views but compensate with lavish historic decor
- Garden Rooms also lack views - they have outdoor space but the high walls felt a bit too enclosed for us
- Book early - it’s popular
Best time to go
RAAS is open throughout the year, though May and June will be just too hot for many westerners at 45-47C, particularly given the open sunbowl location and lack of tree-shade in the garden. The monsoon happens here from (roughly) mid-July to mid-August, making the surrounding areas wonderfully green and weather 'very pleasant'. October to mid-April is their peak season.
Our top tips
Do take their guided and complimentary Jodhpur city tour as they'll show you hidden corners you'd be unlikely to find on your own. And know that walking unguided up to the Fort is not nearly as straightforward as it looks!
Like the look of this hotel? Combine it with a stay at their sister property RAAS Devigarh.
Like the look of this hotel? Combine it with a stay at their sister property RAAS Devigarh.
- Boutique Hotel
- 40 rooms
- Restaurants and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Heated Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Courtyard
Rooms
On our first visit, we stayed in a Luxury Room in one of the newer blocks, looking out across the Mughal-style garden courtyard to the Fort. Cool and contemporary, it had custom-made rosewood furniture, creamy-white walls and wouldn't look out of place in New York. Floor-to-ceiling windows slid open to the Fort-facing veranda, and folding jaali-pierced rose sandstone shutters slid across to veil the sun-bowl's glare - the top half can reveal the view, while the bottom half provides privacy.
On our second visit, we stayed in a ground-floor Garden Room. A simpler offering, these rooms lack fort views but have small gardens enclosed by high walls. For the best view of the Mehrangarh Fort, choose the Duplex Suites which are located in the one of the modern blocks.
But if it is historic gravitas you want, the Heritage Suites can’t be beaten. They’re enormous and reside in the original haveli, with separate living rooms and large verandas (though they lack fort views).
All beds are kingsize, firm and comfortable. In keeping with the metropolitan style, there are a flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, rosewood desks with beautiful stationery, white-cushioned sofas, and some rooms have a dressing alcove with a minibar.
Ensuite bathrooms are cream stone with separate baths and monsoon showers, plus complimentary Kama Ayurveda toiletries.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Evenings are a smart affair, with a choice of 2 on-site restaurants. It’s worth booking a table in advance for Baradari restaurant, as it was full during our visit. Here you’ll find a cool shady pavilion and open-air terrace serving global cuisine.
We ate alfresco on Darikhana restaurant’s beautiful terrace, with the fort lit up in the background. From the extensive pan-Indian menu we sampled akara chicken curry and lamb Biryana, with kofta to start. Though pricey for Jodhpur, it’s very romantic and you’re paying for the surroundings - a chorus of frogs serenaded us from the nearby pond.
During the day we enjoyed a light Caesar salad lunch from our sun lounger by the pool; perfect in the heat. If you want a night off, they have a parred down 24-hour room service menu.
Breakfast was highlight, and probably the best of our trip… There was a good mix of Indian and European dishes, so we went for eggs Benedict with grilled tomatoes, hash browns and some kind of Indian chicken sausage (don’t ask). They also have mounds of fresh fruit and rolled-over omelettes with spicy fried potato and tomatoes. The homemade jam with breads was very good, as were the fine leaf teas and fresh coffee.
Next door to the hotel, RAAS also has a café overlooking the renovated (and seriously impressive) stepwell. If you’re here for a few days, it would make a lovely spot for an informal dinner, as during the evening the stepwell is candlelit.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort, rated 'Asia's best fortress' by Time Magazine in 2008, just a 15-minute walk or 5-minute tuk-tuk ride away from RAAS
- ... Or laze and gaze up at the fort from the lovely big pool
- Explore hidden corners of the Blue City guided by a staff member in their blue tuk-tuk
- Refresh with Ayurvedic treatments in the small spa (sauna and 3 massage rooms)
- Weave through the lively narrow streets of next-door Sadar Market and buy spices, sweets, silver and handicrafts
- Take a 60km drive to the famous, wondrously-carved Jain temple of Osiyan
- See the grand hill-top Umaid Bhawan Palace and museum - built 1929-1944 by over 3,000 workers as a job-creation scheme during a severe drought
- Play a round of golf at the 100-year-old club in Ratanada, south of Jodhpur
- Go on a village safari to see how the local Bishnoi live, make pots and weave rugs and, if you're game, sample a palmful of their ritually-prepared (but very weak) opium tea
- See puppets and instruments, and catch a music, dance or theatre performance, at the Sangeet Natak Akademi Folk Art Museum
- Other excursions could include the Mandore gardens, Kumbhalgarh Fort, Jain Temples at Ranakpur
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Golf
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
Kids
There are some things that speak against RAAS Jodhpur as a family-friendly hotel: it's been designed as an oasis of calm and that's what other guests are expecting, and there's a policy of having only 1 child per room. But there's plenty to love about it and its surroundings, from the pool to the blue tuk-tuk, narrow lanes, ancient fort and range of enticing activities.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Garden Rooms can interconnect and have private outdoor space ideal for children to let off steam in. Luxury Room, Heritage Suites or Duplex Suites can accommodate 1 extra bed. All rooms have bathtubs.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Available on request.
Baby listening:
Baby monitors are available, but they only work in selected areas.
Baby equipment:
- Cot
- Baby bedding
- High chair
- Potty
- Night light
- Bottle warming
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
Non-adventurous tastebuds will find something at the Baradari restaurant onsite, which serves global cuisine. You can order food all day, there are children's menus, early mealtimes and takeaway food too, plus plenty of other places to try nearby. You can borrow a blender or microwave for baby food if needed.
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming pool
- Games consoles
- Playroom
- Outdoor toys
- Farm animals nearby
- Toys and books
- A fantastic array of activities is organised for kids here: treasure hunts, heritage walks, rangoli making (floor paintings), badminton, cookery and music lessons, yoga, gardening
Kids Activities nearby:
- Trekking
- Mehrangarh fort
- Temples, markets, forts and village excursions
Families Should Know:
We feel the hotel is better for older kids as there are lots of steps, drops, unfenced pools and ponds. There's a shop for nappies, food and sundries half a mile away.
Distances:
- Airport 20 minutes
- Hospital: 10 minutes
- Doctor: 10 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
RAAS Jodhpur is below the city's Mehrangarh Fort, in Rajasthan. It's a few streets from the clock tower by the north-eastern Sadar Market entrance to the walled city.
By Air
Jodhpur Airport is served by internal flights from most Indian airports including Delhi, Bombay, Jaipur and Udaipur. The major Indian hubs are served by a variety of international airlines; click on the links below for a list.
By Rail
Jodhpur's main railway station is 1.5km away and there are plenty of trains to and from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Agra, Bikaner and Jaisalmer.
From the Airport
It takes about 20 minutes by car. The hotel can arrange a transfer, see Rates.
By Car
Guests are collected from the Clock Tower by RAAS's blue tuk-tuk when they arrive by large vehicle (minivan or coach). Otherwise guests drive straight to RAAS and, if you call, they will give you/your driver detailed directions to find them within the walled city.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Rajasthan and getting around
Airports:
- Jodhpur Airport 7.0 km JDH
Other:
- Beach 600.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
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