The second wave of COVID had again put entire India to a halt and even more cautious than before. We were quite skeptical in being invited to review Le Meridien Resort & Spa Jaipur, however, all our anxieties were put to rest on entering the property primarily because A. the rush had not yet set in, B. It’s a vast open green and luxurious green area with natural surroundings, C. all the protocol and sanitization were followed to the T.
Location: The Resort property is an extravagantly regal palace-style that depicts the grandeur of Indian Architecture. It is located on the tranquil mountainside of kukas, away from the hustle-bustle and the crowd of the city. It is near Amber palace and has a comfortable drive of approx. four hours from south Delhi.
About The Property: The entrance is all about the Chaupar surrounded by 120 trees and knee height fountains. One is luxuriously spoilt for a wide variety of choices, ample facilities and hideouts, personalized experiences in every nook and corner, their spice gardens, rooftop restaurants, poolside views, open walking tracks to name a few. It’s is a privilege to get lost and hide yourself if you love being connected to the solo self. It is a perfect hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the city and a classy gateway for adventure, romance, wildlife, arts & history related experiences.
Food and drinks: We have visited many nooks and corners of Jaipur, but Le Meridien is one of the best when it comes to and tantalizing your taste buds. It is very well connected to its roots and we had the pleasure of tasting the most authentic Rajasthani cuisines like “ker sangri, gatta curry, Mirchi vadas, and dal kachoris” to name a few.
Their latest recipe is all about interactive sessions, culinary showmanship, Asian cuisines which can be personalized to your whims and fancies, and it about friendly conversations, building a bond in the casual yet elite dining area to be. The liveliness of the staff can be felt here.
Soulholm- Private Dining
At Soulholm, local flavors, homegrown produce, and age-old practices meet innovation and technique, overcoming an often-homogenized definition of “Indian food” to re-imagine a new wave of modern Indian cuisine. A dining experience here is like no other where you connect to the roots in a serene ambiance and delicacies that are inspired by the locally grown ingredients. One can take a farm tour and pluck what you would like on your plate. Enjoy the enchanting ambiance, earthy-rich colors and golden lighting combine to create a comfortable environment and opulent warm glow. Earn the undying love of any health connoisseur with a Chef special menu and cocktails to wow you.
Perfect Date Night at Madeira Bar
Although we did not expect this, but the candle light dinner here surprised us and evoked the long-lost romanticism in us, I must admit.
At Madeira Bar one can indulge in a memorable candlelight dinner by the Aravali ranges, complete with a delicious 4-course meal! We were pleasantly surprised and they served us with the most delicate authentic regional Rajistani Thali in silver utensils. Not only was it great in taste but also very inspiring and fulfilling to the soul as the chef explains as and every item on the plate with lots of love and affection. The ambiance not only sets the mood, but it also clears the air for an honest heart-to-heart conversation. With the soothing music, moon gazing and delicious food, it’s a night to remember!
About our stay: We stayed in private villas. The Villas are like your own personal apartment with the private garden in your backyard. It also comes with sunken bathtubs and natural surroundings and personalized butler service. The room décor and furnishing have antique regal touch to it.
I must admit that I am a big fan of monsoon Travel and this place is the perfect gateway for it primarily because in monsoons the whole place gets romantic vibe to it, the aristocratic ambiance, lush green grass, vast sky with stars shining and one gets plenty of time to gaze at them with birds flocking and a live folk performance to indulge yourselves in the rain.
About the excursions:
Live like Locals
The royal state of Rajasthan is known as the most popular center to appreciate the culture and heritage of the Indian past and what will be better than Rajasthan’s village tours to experience the majestic state alternately. This side of Rajasthan can only be explored by stepping out of the urban lifestyle and exploring the life that resides cheerfully in the villages of this state. These villages will bring out another interesting flavor to the sightseeing tour on your vacation. It is highly recommended to pay a visit to this fascinating village to behold the rustic charm of this state with your own eyes.
Sariska Tiger Safari
Explore scenic beauty with the natural landscape, wildlife, animals, and rare and migrated birds away from the chaotic life of the metro. Situated around 107 kilometers far from Jaipur, this national park covers an unfathomable span of 800 sq. kilometers territory and is overseen by the Government of Rajasthan. The sanctuary also houses the ruins of ancient temples of Garh-Rajor that date back to the 11th century. Also, a 17th-century fort on the hilltop at Kankwari grants a picturesque view of soaring vultures and eagles.
Recommended Attire: Comfortable clothes and shoes
Unlock Art Experience
We were very fortunate to be a part of this.
UNLOCK Art s designed to provide our guests with a unique check-in that evolves a functional process into an emotive experience. The program is designed to play on the guest’s senses by providing them with a clean check-in experience. The experience should be quick and straight to the point, while showcasing Le Méridien Signature program, UNLOCK ArtTM.
I would suggest, immerse in an inquisitive and one of the biggest fusion art galleries in India located inside the famous Amber Fort- Artchill Gallery since 2008 which is a prestigious art space inside Amber Fort of Jaipur, a famous Heritage monument. This is primarily responsible for introducing the concept of Contemporary Art in Rajasthan. The Gallery takes part in International Art Affairs to boost Indian art awareness abroad & is keen to establish an Art Exchange Program to introduce art across the borders &initiate art exchange between different countries.
Artchill set yet another milestone in 2013 by launching. I will be discussing exclusively about it in our next series.
About The Explore SPA
I am big Spa gluten and found myself getting indulged in it. I must admit that the staff is extremely well trained and courteous. The way they understand your body; their hands move like magic as if they understand every nerve of your system.
They have various therapies to indulge in. I would advise to book the services in advance and go for their specialized therapies.
About The GM
Vinay Singh:
A trail-blazer in the field of hospitality, with over 18 years of experience in leading Indian and International hotel brands, Vinay Singh is a dynamic and charismatic presence. Defined by more than just his passion and commitment to the field, he has been a beacon of purpose, innovation and energy during his tenure in the hospitality sector.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Science and a Master’s Degree in Management Studies, Vinay has worked with several globally renowned brands. As a leader, he possesses the vision and capability to see the big picture and make decisions accordingly.
Last but not the least, I would like to extend our special mention about ‘Apeksha Sharma’, who is dedicated, focused, intelligent, and an indispensable part of the Le Meridien team and did everything to make our stay meaningful and memorable.
