For many tourists, planning a trip to India includes visiting the Golden Triangle and staying at a real Indian palace. Unfortunately, luxury palace hotels in Jaipur, like the Taj Rambaugh or the Oberoi Rajvilas run $500-800 per night. An alternative is to stay at a heritage haveli, which loosely translated means mansion. At approximately $110 per night, the Alsisar Haveli is rare and glorious gem that is gorgeous, well appointed and budget-friendly.
Accommodations
The Alsisar Haveli has 45 rooms, none of which are alike. Most feature modern amenities like heating and cooling, attached bath tubs and showers with running hot and cold water round the clock. The deluxe rooms are at least twice as large as standard ones and luxuriously equipped. They provide a glimse of royals living, with antique colonial furniture, intricately carved poster beds, original art, chandeliers, vintage light fixtures and other beautiful heritage touches. In fact, the Maharaja Alsisar lives on the property.
The haveli is perhaps a hundred years old and rooms are being restored and renovated one by one. We checked out several rooms during our stay. Room 102, toward the front of the hotel is the best. Room 110, towards the back is also renovated and nicely appointed. For singles traveling in groups, Room 216 (huge) and Room 220 (above the restaurant) may be good choices. However, compared to the deluxe rooms, standard rooms such as Room 103 and 108 are in dire need of an update. Bathrooms are sanitized (toilets paper-sealed), although toiletries are not high end. In 2011, most TVs were of the tube variety (not flat screen).
Common areas
The lobby features a Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) with a gorgeous chandelier and intricately carved glass and silver doors. The common area has manicured courtyards and gardens, and a stunning outdoor swimming pool. Although located in a busy part of town, the high double walls eliminate hustle and bustle, and transport hotel guests to a different era. Evening entertainment includes complimentary Kathputli Rajasthani puppet shows performances.
Service
The service staff generally consists of authentic turbaned Rajasthani men who are courteous and genuinely helpful, although the administrative staff is less so. The restaurant serves dinner and breakfast, but the quality of the food is inconsistent and prices are steep compared to the reasonable price for accommodation. Internet is available for extra charge.
Rates
$1 roughly equals 50 INR (Indian Rupee). Room rates for standard and deluxe rooms range from INR 3800-5600, plus taxes. Dinner costs INR 750 and breakfast INR 350.
Reservations
All major credit cards are accepted but the website www.alsisar.com does not have a secure server. Tourists reluctant to provide credit card information by email are encouraged to pay with a bank draft. Alsisar Haveli, Sansar Chandra Road, Jaipur India. Telephone: +91-141-2368290, 2364685, 5107157, email: [email protected] .