Detailed Review
Amanbagh sits in isolation amidst the arid Aravalli Hills near Alwar in northern India. The region is rich in early Hindu history, dating to the dawn of Hindu civilization; awash with legend, the epic Mahabharata tells of the five Pandavas brothers who spent their last years in exile within a few miles of the resort, over two millennia ago. In the more recent past, the area was dominated by a group of warrior clans, the Rajputs, who controlled this region of India for nearly 1000 years. Raided repeatedly over time by Moghul armies, it was finally conquered in the 17th Century by the Emperor Shah Jahan, the famed builder of the Taj Mahal. The resort is every bit a modern day “palace,” conceived in the present, but humbly paying homage to the traditional architecture and design that has prevailed throughout the past. On the first level is the arrival area that leads to the reception hall and onto a shaded court, bordered on one side by the Dining Room and on the other, by the Lounge. Rising from the reception area is a sweeping staircase that leads to the Library and an outdoor terrace. Two external staircases lead to the Roof Terrace that is elevated above a canopy of trees and provides sweeping views over the surrounding landscape. Beyond the main building is a swimming pool, informal dining area and wading pool, all set within landscaped grounds. There are four categories of accommodation at Amanbagh. Courtyard Haveli Suite: Eight Courtyard Haveli Suites are located on the ground level of two, two-storey structures on either side of the swimming pool. The entrance to each is via a courtyard with an outdoor dining area. Inside, there is a living area with a large banquette, two chairs, an armchair and writing desk. Beyond is a private courtyard. The adjacent bedroom has a soaring domed ceiling and king size bed whilst the bathroom is filled with natural light from windows facing the court. Each Courtyard Haveli Suite is fitted with a sound system and personal bar. The internal living space is 85 square metres and the external courtyard and terrace area measures 50 square metres. Garden Haveli Suite : Located on the ground level are eight Garden Haveli Rooms. Identical in design and furnishings to the Courtyard Haveli Suites, they are differentiated by a private balcony that overlooks a garden. Terrace Haveli Suite : Eight Terrace Haveli Suites are located on the upper level of the two, two-storey structures. Access to each is via a staircase that leads to private terraced courtyards, each with an outdoor dining area, daybed and two sun loungers. Inside, a sitting area is fitted with a day bed, two armchairs, and a writing desk. The bedroom offers a king size bed and a large natural light-filled bathroom with bathtub and separate dressing room. Each Terrace Haveli Suite is fitted with a sound system and personal bar. The internal living space is 85 square metres and the external terrace measures 80 square metres. Pool Pavilion: Sixteen Pool Pavilions are located on the perimeter of the resort and offer their own private swimming pool and spacious garden. Entry to each Pavilion is via a garden courtyard that leads to two rooms linked by a glass reception hall. The hall provides access to the shared living area and bedroom on one side and to the bathroom on the other. The living area contains a king size bed, writing desk, daybed for lounging, sound system and personal bar. The bathroom features a spacious dressing area, twin vanities, separate shower and a bathtub, carved from one piece of marble, located in the centre of the room under a domed ceiling. Double doors open from both the living area and bathroom onto the spacious garden courtyard, featuring a covered dining and lounge area. The private swimming pool measures three metres by nine metres and is cool throughout the summer months and heated during the winter months. The internal living space measures 85 square metres, the covered external space measures 30 square metres and in addition to this, pool pavilions also enjoy a private garden area. The Dining Room is positioned on the lower floor of the main building and provides an intimate atmosphere beneath its double-height ceiling. Seating is either banquette-style or at tables which flow onto the outside terrace. The food is simple home-style Indian cuisine with a choice of Western dishes also available. An alternative, informal dining venue is Poolside, located adjacent to the swimming pool. Here, the dining is outdoors beneath a covered colonnade and lunchtime fare includes sandwiches, salads and simple traditional Indian snacks. The Roof Terrace is ideal for informal dining beneath a starlit sky, particularly during the hotter months when there is a cool breeze. Swimming Pool: The swimming pool is centred within the resort’s gardens. Light meals and snacks are available throughout the day. Spa: A team of highly-skilled therapists provides a range of healing therapies as well as more traditional treatments such as facials, massages and scrubs. These are available in the resort’s spa treatment rooms or in guest havelis.
Press Quotes
"Two hours outside Jaipur, this new Amanresort is a stunning modern palace of the palest pink sandstone. Amanbagh's landscape guru, American Bill Dalton, deserves special praise for coaxing a lush oasis from this exquisite but parched corner of the Rajasthani desert." Conde Nast Traveller 06
