Staying in Samode, about one hour outside of Jaipur in Rajasthan, was an experience in itself. Situated in the rocky hills is this outstanding "heritage hotel" - elegantly restored to the offer guests a small taste of royalty - Maharaja style. We typically don't stay in hotels like this, but it seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so we took it. After all, despite the high rates, we still couldn't spend a night in Manhatten for what we paid.
The hotel's sprawling grounds are built into the hillside, not long aster entering the walled village of Samode. The narrow and hilly streets were unusual from what we had seen previously in India.
We stayed in one of the royal suites - offered to prestigious guests during the days of the Maharajas (the royal families still live in Jaipur). When we arrived our luggage was efficiently carried up the stairs by no less than eight attendants! A room boy brought cool drinks and remained on call for anything we needed. The room had marbled everything, elegant tapestries and rugs, a four-posted bed with sheer curtains, and the largest marble bathtub I had ever seen in my life (so big in fact, that if you wanted to actually take a bath, you would need to wait for a good 20 minutes or so just to fill it up enough). There was an attached foyer and sitting room, as well as a small balcony overlooking the hillside. Guest could also use the public sitting rooms, with absolutely stunning frescoes and lavish furniture in the styles of Rajasthan.
In the evening, Rajput singers, musicians, and puppeteers would come to the Samode Palace to entertain the guests. Check out my crudely edited video...
1 comment:
Very Nice! Just to add to your list of places to visit in and around Jairpur is a place called "Udaipur"; one of the 'cannot' be missed town/cities in India. You should try to visit Udaipur in your next available opportunity
TVK Murthy
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