Ramathra Fort

Rooms

While it is crumbling majestically, the fort was restored stone by stone by local craftsmen and the accommodation is excellent. The suites are decorated with simple teak furniture and brightly coloured dhurries, all made in Rajasthan, but it was the little details that charmed us most, including Ayurvedic toiletries and, in winter, hot-water bottles in bed.

The 6 suites have carved sandstone pillars and dark-wood windows with expansive views of the valley. They are divided into 2 types: Luxury and Deluxe. The 2 Luxury Suites are on the second floor, each with a terrace with loungers, an outdoor bathtub and a rainshower. Inside, there's a bedroom with a four-poster bed, a sitting area with a stone fireplace and hand-woven rugs, and a huge bathroom. The 4 Deluxe Suites are on the first floor and open onto a courtyard. These have sitting areas and a shared portico, and are convenient for families or a group of friends to share.

The 6 beautifully designed tents (not available during the monsoon months of July-September) are set around the lawn area against the inner rampart walls. They are vast - some of the most spacious tents we’ve found in Rajasthan - with white cotton fabric block-printed with geese forming billowing walls and roofs. Each has a private porch with chairs, a full indoor seating area and a writing desk, as well as a double bed, side tables, lamps and everything else you could need. The bathrooms are attached and private, set in a building rather than a tent, and can be locked. They have hot water, flush toilets, tiled showers and dressing areas.

As well as your room, you have access to communal spaces stretching across the whole fort, with ramparts and parapets framing views of the plains, a wide river valley and the mountains. Sunset is a special experience, especially if you watch it from one of the daybeds on the ramparts, cocktail in hand.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• WiFi

Eating

All meals are included, as there are no shops, bars or restaurants nearby. They’re served outdoors on the breezy tented patio or in the dining room, an elegant area with creamy limestone pillars, woven rattan blinds and hanging lanterns. It's the main communal area in the hotel and used to be a stable block.

Breakfast is a buffet of cereals, seasonal fruits (mouth-watering mango, papaya and pomegranate in our case) and tangy homemade yoghurt. Waiters serve up fresh-pressed juices, toast and eggs to order (we had a tasty chili-flecked masala omelette).

Lunch and dinner are also buffets, though both start with a lovely soup served at your table - fresh pea and spicy tomato when we visited. These are accompanied by addictive snacks such as fried baby aubergines.

We found all the meals to be delicious and innovative - truly remarkable for such a remote spot. Of course it helps that the ingredients are locally sourced and seasonal, many of them home-grown in the hotel’s farm at the base of the fort. We particularly enjoyed the vegetarian options - smoky spiced vegetables, vibrant green tomatoes in a sweet and sour sauce, tender cauliflower florets with toasted cumin seeds. Enticing meat options might include butterfly chicken curry or minced mutton with peas, and chappati and poori breads are served piping-hot from the kitchen. Even the desserts are imaginative (beetroot halva, anyone?) and we defy you not to have seconds. Special diets can be accommodated and mealtimes are flexible, depending on when you arrive.

The clusters of comfy white chairs on the green lawn make a perfect spot for aperitifs, or you can enjoy a sundowner on the ramparts as goatherders bring their flocks back to the village for the night. Staff can even set up a table for post-dinner coffee as the stars emerge above.

Features include:

• All meals included
• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Organic produce
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Take a row-boat trip on Lake Kalisil. It's great for birdwatchers (keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers) and the sunset views are wonderful. Bring a camera; the hotel provides life jackets, a bird book and binoculars
  
• Alternatively, stay on shore to bird-watch: grey partridges, night jars, hawks, doves, peacocks, orioles, curlew, pelicans, kingfishers and cranes. There's a ticklist of species in your room
  
• Go on a jeep safari (organised by the hotel). They can take you to several attractions in the Kalisil river valley, including cave temples at Ghanteshvar, Gujar hamlets, Chuaki gorge, and Utgir Fort at the rim of the Daang plateau. Photographic and wildlife-spotting stops included
  
• Take a walking tour of Ramathra village, a small hamlet of farmers and herders with painted houses. Visit friendly families at home and in the fields (don't feel shy - this is a highlight for many visitors) and see 2 prominent temples, one of Ganesh and one of Shiva. You can also volunteer to listen to children read at the local school
  
• Have a romantic picnic at the lake - borrow the rowing boat and set out to one of the islands for a hot Rajasthani meal and views of the birds, ducks and undulating mountains
  
• Borrow one of the hotel's bikes and take a gentle cycle tour (staff can provide a 10km route map of the valley), or go on a camel-cart excursion
  
• Take a night safari. Tours run by the hotel traverse the Kaila Devi National Park, across the Daang plateau and east to the Chambal river valley. Visitors regularly see deer, blue bulls, wolves, jackals, hyenas and foxes, plus wild boars, bears and leopards if they're lucky
  
• Follow a temple trail by boat - or by jeep, if you prefer - for a glimpse into local traditions and religion
  
• Take a day trip to Karauli. It’s an hour’s drive away with painted frescoes, spectacular stone carvings, the Madanmohanji temple and a busy bazaar. Lacquered bangles are a speciality and you can see bangle makers at work
  
• Or simply relax in the hotel's Jacuzzi, sundowner in hand

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Jeep safaris
• Kayaking
• Private guided tours
• Safaris
• Traditional cultures
• Wildlife

Kids

Ramathra Fort is a magical place for adults, so imagine what it would be like for children. It accepts kids of all ages, and those under 10 stay for free (though note that they don't have any cots - under 2s have to sleep in a bed). You can have 1 extra child per room.

That said, it does appeal to couples, honeymooners and those seeking a quiet, back-to-nature experience, so do bear the atmosphere in mind if you want to come with children. Our kids loved exploring the turrets and ramparts, but staying here with our toddler was a little stressful due to the many stone stairways and steep drops.

All in all, we'd say it's best for older children who can sit still on a 3-hour jeep ride or who will enjoy walking around the village and valley nearby.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The tents are a fun option and have plenty of space for an extra bed. The suites each have space for an extra bed, and these can be set up in the living area.

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Ramathra Fort is in rural Rajasthan, near the village of Sapotra. It's about 160km southeast of Jaipur, 225km from Agra and 80km from Ranthambhore National Park.

By Air
The closest airport is Jaipur, which has links to major international hubs such as Delhi.

From the Airport
It takes at least 4 hours - likely far more - to reach Ramathra Fort, and they do not offer transfers so you'll need to make your way independently by car or train. From Delhi airport, the driving time is over 8 hours, so we would recommend flying via Jaipur if possible.

By Train
The area is remote and not served by public transport. The closest train station is at Gangapur, 40km (an hour's drive) away; the owners can collect you from there for a small fee. Trains connect Gangapur to Delhi (roughly 4 hours' travel).

By Car
Having your own transport for some, or all, or your holiday will make a trip through Rajasthan easier. You can book a car and driver via our Tailormade Tour Operator.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.