RAAS is Jodhpur’s first boutique hotel. Our signature look was born from the fusion of modern and ancient styles and the courtyard has become a tranquil haven within the bustle of Jodhpur’s old town.
The hotel comprises four original buildings with three additional contemporary structures, influenced by and contributing to its cultural past as part of the Walled City. The new buildings are modern and contemporary in their use of space and light, and yet grounded in tradition. Indeed, each of its structures is adorned with intricate architectural carvings in the iconic Haveli style of the 18th century, juxtaposed against modern designs and patterns. Jodhpur’s red sand-stone unites the new with the old, as modern designs add an exciting and fresh dimension to the region’s age-old stone carving industry. The magnificent pool, along with the staff quarters and guardhouse, makes a stunning entry to the hotel.
Located in the vibrant north-eastern quarter of the famous Walled City, RAAS Jodhpur is based around an original 18th-century haveli. Echoes of Rajput architecture can be found throughout the building, in everything from its intricately carved stone panels to its antique shrines to the arches surviving from the stables. Indeed, entire original buildings are interspersed with the rose-red modern architecture. The Darikhana, also known as the ‘Chamber of Carpets’, was built towards the end of the 18th-century and served as the haveli’s guest-house.
Now the Darikhana is RAAS’s most popular alfresco dining venue. In comparison, the Baradari was the haveli’s ‘newest’ addition; built in the 1850s as the Thakur’s personal entertainment pavilion, it was where he spent his days, and no doubt many a night, entertaining and being entertained. It has retained this purpose throughout the centuries and now serves as a restaurant at the heart of the hotel, hosting events all year round. The pavilion has also retained its original multi-pillared structure; i ndeed, its name ‘baradari’ , means ‘twelve pillars’.
Original stables, converted into snug alcoves for reading and relaxing, and a small 18th-century temple make up the sides of the picturesque courtyard and we pride ourselves on the beautifully cultivated gardens filling the open space.
GARDEN ROOM
Each of the four Garden Rooms combines historic charm and modern-day luxury in its design. Spread over 480 square feet, with its own private garden and interior design modelled on natural forms and floral patterns, a Garden Room guarantees a memorable and relaxing stay.
LUXURY ROOM
Revel in the opulence of your surroundings in one of our 28 Luxury Rooms, with a view of the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort filling the sky. The rooms are decorated in a contemporary style and monochromatic colour scheme that contrasts spectacularly with the hand-crafted red sandstone windows and Jodhpur cityscape. The room is 480 square feet of restrained elegance with a spacious bathroom and a private balcony: the perfect spot for admiring the mystical beauty of the city.
DUPLEX SUITE
Our four Duplex Suites are located in the modern block of the hotel. All have private balconies, where a covered seating area offers protection against both sunshine and rainfall. These have spectacular views of Mehrangarh Fort and the jewel-bright houses clustering around the steep hill. With its 740 square feet, the Duplex Suite is luxuriously spacious: consisting of a separate duplex bedroom and living room, this suite is the perfect choice for large groups or families to relax and unwind in the Blue City.
HERITAGE SUITE
Our most lavishly decorated suites are the three Heritage Suites, located in the original 18th-century Rajput residence. Whilst preserving the old-world charm of the mansion, these suites are equipped with all modern amenities to create a luxurious blend of historic and contemporary. They each feature an ample bedroom and spacious bathroom with a separate shower and a cast iron bathtub. Staying in the Heritage Suite you will also enjoy your own terrace and private courtyard, with two suites sharing a common balcony. One of the major appeals of this suite is the breath-taking views it offers: the elevated platform in the front presents a stunning panorama of Mehrangarh Fort, while the back of the suite faces the splendidly landscaped hotel gardens.
STEPWELL SUITE
A Heritage Suite overlooking the magnificent 1740 built stepwell, hidden for decades, now adopted by RAAS. Pristine views of Blue City, Mehrangarh Fort from the bedroom. The Suite has a large outdoor seating area.
RAAS in collaboration with Ma Earth is delighted to present to you a very special spa offering. Our passion is to enhance and encourage a more natural and holistic path towards health, beauty and overall well being. Our selection of treatments combine specific therapeutic techniques with potent, natural ingredients to deliver amazing results.
Ma Earth Botanicals has handcrafted a luxury line of skincare products using pure aromatherapy oils and the natural blessings of Mother Earth. All the products are handcrafted and contain no artificial ingredients, chemical preservatives, synthetic additives, artificial fragrances, SLES, parabens or sulphates. They are made from the highest quality pure essential oils, sustainably sourced vegetable oils and unrefined butters that are cold pressed to preserve their natural goodness and healing properties. None of Ma’s products are tested on our fellow animals, and never will be.
For those looking for the peace and quiet of a village outside Jodhpur, our excursions to Osian are perfect. We can arrange half-day trips to the town, an oasis in the Thar Desert, which is about an hour and a half?s journey away. Osian has some of Rajasthan?s oldest Hindu and Jain temples, which are well worth the visit alone.
Sachiya Mata Temple
The Sachiya Mata Temple overlooks the town centre from its hilltop position, but can’t compare with the nearby Mahavira Jain Temple (10Rs), which is well-maintained and has myriad alcoves and 28 pillars radiating out from its beautifully carved central shrine. Wander from here around the other temples, which have some interesting features; look out for the projecting stone elephants of the Peeplaj Temple.
Camel Treks
Camel treks are very popular at Osian, and these trips are best done in the afternoon, as the day cools. Though trips can be a little cheesy at times, the experience is great and sunset dinners on the dunes are unmissable.
Traditional Folk Dances
Traditional folk dances also happen in the village, and are a great spectacle. Speak to the concierge, who can organise everything for you, though prices for camel treks will vary with the season and can be difficult to do in monsoon periods.
Toorji Ka Jhalra (Toorji’s Step Well) was built in the 1740s by the Queen (Maharaja Abhay Singh’s Consort). Interestingly, this Tanwar (Toor) Rajput Princess hailed from Patan in Gujarat, home to perhaps the finest Step Well in the country. It was an age-old tradition that Royal women would build public water works. Indeed, for women, fetching and storing water was, and remains for many, one of the principal house-hold chores.
StepWell
The construction of a Step Well never really stopped; as the steps follow the fluctuating water table down, to provide easy all-year round access. Submerged for decades, its recent drainage, clean-up and restoration has uncovered over two hundred feet of hand carved treasure in Jodhpur’s famous rose-red sandstone; intricate carvings of dancing elephants, medieval lions and cow water-spouts, as well as niches housing deities long gone. The well’s original system consisted of a Persian Wheel driven by a pair of bullocks circling the platform on top, which drew water up to two different access levels and a separate tank. TKJ formed a part of the Walled City’s complex system of water collection, now sadly most of which is in a state of disrepair and neglect.
National Tourism Award Winner [Eight Times]
