A stay at a 230-year-old defensive fortress itself is an experience worth signing up for. Alila Fort Bishangarh makes it a point to offer much more to its guests who make their way to this luxury hotel located at a close proximity to Delhi and Jaipur. With travellers today looking for secluded getaways to skip the crowd and enjoy exclusive staycations, Hyatt's Alila Fort Bishangarh proves to be an ideal pick as it is located in a small village called Bishangarh but offers all the luxury and pampering that one could hope for, including a range of interesting experiences for guests to take part in.
During our short visit to this property a few months ago, we spend uninterrupted time basking in the sun from our tastefully renovated room and other pretty corners of the fort. Perched so high, the view of the surrounding Aravalli Range is spectacular. You can't help but ponder over what it was like to live at this fort in the ancient times and keep watch of the various activities around the region. Luckily, we soon discover that the hotel offers an exclusive experience where guests can live the bygone era and set out on a few forgotten trails.
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Alila Fort Bishangarh, a 230-year-old defensive fortress
Basking in the sun from the Grand Suite
Forgotten Trails: A Sunset Tour
So we set out in the hotel's car that takes us through rural lanes and finally onto the dried riverbed of Madhuveni that was once used as a trade route in Bishangarh. As we ride through the same route, we pass through tall grasses, local farms and villages while our guide fills us in on interesting folk tales. Our journey comes to a halt right before sundown, so that an evening tea can be set up for us while we marvel at the sunset from a clear spot. The golden rays add beauty to the sand banks and the sky displays beautiful hues as a treat to the eyes. It's truly a memorable experience. We soak in the beauty while sipping on masala chai and wish for time to slow down a little.
Forgotten Trail, a ride to explore an ancient trade route
Dining Under The Stars
The fabulous sundowner is followed by a beautiful dining experience under the stars at Nazaara, a rooftop restaurant that showcases dishes from Shekhawat and Bishangarh regions, known for their hunter cuisine with live sandpit and fire pit cooking. We try a range of kebabs and tikkas such as the double cooked lamb kebab called Silbatta, apricot and spice filled Kumani Paneer Tikka and Rajma Ker Sangri Kebab before moving onto the all-time favourite Laal Maas. The 48-hour slow cooked Dal Bishangarh and Yarkhandi Meat Pulao deserve a mention too for their delightful flavours.
The dining set-up at Nazaara
Live sandpit and fire pit cooking at Nazaara
More Experiences On Offer
While signing up for experiences, one can choose to skip the gypsy to explore the trails on horses and ride like warriors. The trail will take you to a 500-year-old Hanuman temple which is located right next to an old dam built by the villagers to collect water. Further, guests are offered a tour of an organic garden belonging to the saint who takes care of the temple, as well as a light picnic at an old abandoned shelter.
The hotel too offers a lunch experience at their own organic garden where the chef takes the guests through the seasonal plantations, shares few easy recipes and serves up a sumptuous lunch showcasing regional specialties sourced locally. You can also hop on a bicycle and set out to explore the surroundings.
Organic farm tour and lunch
Where: Off NH-8 at Manoharpur, Bishangarh, Jaipur, Rajasthan
CommentsPrice: Starting at INR 5,000 plus taxes for the curated experiences
