Rawla Narlai
Rawla Narlai is a magical 17th-century manor, sitting in the shadow of a granite monolith in the village of Narlai, between the royal cities of Jodhpur and Udaipur. With frangipani-scented courtyards and honouring Rajasthan’s rich cultural, textile and craft history, Rawla Narlai is a gem amongst giants.
One of Rajasthan’s most treasured heritage hotels, Rawla Narlai was established as an exclusive boutique hotel in 1996 in the peaceful Aravalli Hills. Built as a hunting lodge for the royal family, today there are 32 rooms set around a series of courtyards, bright with flowers. Built from marble and stone and filled with beautiful local textiles and fabrics with portraits of the former royal family of Jodhpur, and other princely states of India appearing throughout the property.
As an converted royal palace, each of the 32 rooms have their own unique charm and style. Individually decorated with ornate frescoes, and furnished with the owners’ impeccably chosen antiques and seemingly ancient rugs and soft furnishings. From cosy corner rooms to the vast Narlai Suite, offering over 2,000 sq. ft of living space and it’s own terrace leading enjoying sweeping views of the dramatic landscape and local village.
The team at Rawla Narlai deliver a wonderfully personalised service and have a variety of quiet nooks for clients to find throughout the property. Meals are enjoyed at different locations around the property and nearby, showcasing the best of local, seasonal produce with seats only for those that are staying and no more. Their light blue and white Jharokha Café delivers delicious traditional Indian and international cuisine whilst, perhaps something we should keep secret (!), their stepwell soiree is arguably one of the most romantic and breath-taking culinary experiences to be enjoyed. Whilst staying at Rawla Narlai, we can also arrange relaxed picnic lunches, bonfire dinners and Tekri cookouts during your stay.
Activities on offer include wildlife, community and wellness experiences. The leopards of Narlai are increasingly well known and guests can enjoy a 4×4 wildlife expedition to track these elusive creatures and discover the other resident wildlife of the area including peacock, mongoose, boars and more than 130 species of indigenous and migratory birds. Locally guests enjoy walks in sleepy village of Narlai or up to one of the tiny temples with commanding views of the area. Nothing to strenuous, and noticeable peaceful. Horse riding and bush walks can also be arranged to get deeper into this lesser known part of Rajasthan.
After busy days, guests can return and enjoy the in-house Spa, offering a variety of treatments using traditional Indian techniques and local ayurvedic products.
Rawla Narlai is remote – a key part of it’s charm. An oasis amongst the bustling cities of Rajasthan and, in our opinion, worth the road trip to get there.
+44 (0) 1608 638777
Get in touch
