Rawla Narlai is a charming heritage hotel, set at the foot of a great mystical rock in the Aravalli hills near Ranakpur. Once a 17th-century hunting lodge for the Jodhpur Royal Family who still own the property, it’s now beautifully renovated to provide its guests a luxurious stay and a first-hand experience of rural Rajasthan. Situated midway between the cities of Jodhpur and Udaipur, it provides a perfect base from which to explore the nearby Ranakpur temples and Kumbhalgarh fort.
Housed within this ancient property and a modern annexe, Rawla Narlai offers 32 luxurious rooms and suites. All are individually decorated with antique or period style furniture, intricate tiles or polished cement floors covered with colourful rugs, comfortable beds and ensuite bathrooms, some with tubs. Expect delicious meals focussing on traditional Rajasthani cuisine served in the inner courtyard, blooming with frangipani and brilliant pink bougainvillea.
Set between Jodhpur and Udaipur, Rawla Narlai (meaning a villa in Narlai) is a perfect base for a stopover while travelling between the two cities or a pleasant place to spend a few days and relax and unwind. In the surrounds is a huge granite rock dome with a Shiva’s cave temple and guests can climb to the top, where there is an elephant monument. Interesting sites in the surrounds include the 15th-century Kumbhalgarh Fort and Ranakpur's Jain temples.
Amenities
Bar/PubCoffee ShopConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableGardenMeeting/Conference FacilitiesMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaStay Rawla Narlai features just 32 luxurious rooms and suites, spread out between the heritage building and a new modern annexe. All rooms are individually designed and many have characterful details like hand-painted murals, stained-glass windows and scalloped arches. The rooms in the annexe are larger and more luxurious with creature comforts but are less characterful than the heritage rooms. All are air-conditioned and have en-suite bathrooms, some with bathtubs.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Rawla Narlai, but there are no particular facilities available for children. There is no charge for a baby cot, or for children under six who do not require an additional bed. Breakfast is free for children under six. Babysitting service can be arranged, upon request. However, please note that the hotel is more geared for adults and couples.
Dine The in-house restaurant named Jharoka Café in Rawla Narlai, serves traditional Rajasthani cuisine with some western favourites. Dine like a Maharaja in a lavish dining room or on the terrace. Perhaps one of the highlights is a four-course meal served in a specially adapted ‘Stepwell’ with hundreds of oil lamps and accompanied by live, soulful traditional music. The Jharoka Bar, decorated with latticework offers a wide variety of spirits and wines and is perfect place to unwind.
Relax Facilities at Rawla Narlai include a swimming pool with a separate children’s pool. There is a comfortable roof terrace for sunbathing. There is also Narlai Spa offering massages and yoga classes and a Jacuzzi to relax. Guests can take leisurely walks through the Narlai village to understand its culture and enjoy local hospitality.
Experience Narlai is a quaint little hamlet, that sits within the ancient Aravalli hills and is dotted with old temples, step wells and marble archways. It is visited for Rawla Narlai, that offers its guests an upclose experience of rural Rajasthan. Day excursions can be taken to the 15th-century Kumbhalgarh Fort encompassed by a 36-km long wall, to the Ranakpur's Jain temples known for its carved marble pillars and further to the famous cattle-fair site of Pushkar.
Location Rawla Narlai is located on the edge of Narlai village, in the heart of the Aravalli Hills, at the foot of a huge, granite rock. Rawla Narlai sits midway between Jodhpur and Udaipur.
Getting there There are daily flights from New Delhi to both Jodhpur & Udaipur. Drive time from ether two cities to Rawla Narlai is approximately 2 to 3 hours.
When to go Rajasthan is known as the desert state. It is largely hot and dry throughout the year, making it a great destination to get away from European winters. Summer in Rajasthan extends from April to June. Although it rarely rains in Rajasthan, the temperature drops slightly during the Monsoon period from July to September, and humidity increases. Post-monsoon period from October to November is the official "tourist season" in Rajasthan that extends into the winter months from December to March when its warm during the day and chilly at night.
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