Shahpura Bagh

Quite often on a tour of Rajasthan, you are tempted just to visit the main cities such as Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur, and leave too little time savouring the delights of the traditional way of life seen in the remote villages that lie between them all. A one or two night stay at Shahpura is ideal in that it gives you this chance to get away from the madding crowd and into the villages, but also it located mid-way between Jaipur and Udaipur meaning you can slowly meander your way down there without having to rush.

The house was once the summer residence of the local ruling family, and is about 120 years old and comprises two residences, one where the family still live and where you dine (with one amazing suite), and the other where you find six of the suites. There is also a private annex with a pretty little walled vegetable garden. It is all enclosed in 30 acres of gardens, complete with an amazingly large swimming pool. The style is somewhat colonial, complete with white-washed walls and inviting varandas. The whole feel is very understated, just a lovely place to get away from it all. All rooms and suites vary in size, but all come with lovely bathrooms, many with roll-top bathtubs.

Meals are either taken in the main dining room, or al fresco on the terrace. There is so much to see and do around Shahpura, such as visiting the local villages, local temples or heading to their nearby farm.