Inside Raffles Jaipur, a Palatial Estate Inspired by a Traditional Queen’s Quarters

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A trip to experience one of India’s most-visited cities, while surrounding yourself with incredible details worthy of Rajasthani royalty.

In Jaipur—one of India’s first planned cities, known for its royal heritage and dazzling architecture—there’s no shortage of opulent, palace-style hotels. Still, Raffles Jaipur, an intimate stay on the outskirts of the city, is a sparkling-white gem surrounded by the Aravalli mountains.

As you make your escape from Jaipur’s vibrant old city, the marble residence snaps into view. The property is modeled after the women’s quarters of a palace, called a zenana, and filled with ornate detail. (This is where the queen and her court would spend most of their time, just out of public view, so it was traditionally just as decorative as the king’s quarters.)

As such, the property is reminiscent of a private estate—albeit one with an underground spa and 50 guest rooms. No two are the same, but they all feature details like hand-carved furniture and hand-painted wall decals. It’s a spectacle of design, with Mughal-style archways, hand-woven carpets, intricate thikri (traditional mirrored mosaics) and custom marble-inlay flooring.

The property’s over-the-top aesthetic has a powerful allure—and though you’re still close enough to visit Jaipur’s main attractions, no one could blame you if you wanted to spend your entire trip cosseted away.

The Essentials

The Room

There are just 50 individually designed rooms and suites at Raffles Jaipur, and they range from salmon- or lemon-hued Landmark Rooms with outdoor bathtubs and dedicated seating areas to the Maharani Royal One-Bedroom Suite, which comes with a private pool, powder room and separate living room. Regardless of which room you book, you’re guaranteed flawless design. Expect king-size canopy beds, hand-painted frescoes on the ceilings and inlaid stonework on the walls. The all-marble bathrooms are just as grand, featuring silver clawfoot tubs, double vanities, separate showers and engraved sinks.

To ensure each guest gets the royal treatment, every floor is assigned its own butler, who can offer on-call assistance with everything from drawing an evening bath to arranging tours of Jaipur throughout your stay.

The Bars and Restaurants

Raffles Jaipur has two restaurants and two bars on-site. For regional Rajasthani food, head to Arkaa, where you’ll have your pick of classics like Delhi chicken, garlic naan and tandoori lobster masala served on gold embossed plates. Arkaa, which means “the sun” in Sanskrit, features a warm yellow dining room filled with amber-colored chandeliers, inlaid marble floors, paisley- and cheetah-patterned seating, and intricate latticework on the walls.

Plan to spend at least one sunset dining inside a domed alcove at Sehara, on the hotel’s rooftop. Here, diners can enjoy an array of Mediterranean classics like calamari fritto, paella and tiramisu, alongside unobstructed views of the Aravalli mountains. The outdoor space offers a spectacular dinner experience, with rattan seating and pathways lined with fountains and white marble peacock statuettes.

After dinner, head to The Writers Bar for classic cocktails like Negronis and margaritas, or sip on a glass of bubbly at Safir - Tea & Champagne Lounge, which doubles as a tearoom during the day.

The Standout Feature

The sky-blue Writers Bar at Raffles Jaipur features hand-painted decals, a grand spiral staircase and over 2,000 books on the shelves. (Angela Sun/Chase)

Every inch of the hotel is eye candy, but The Writers Bar stands out thanks to its floor-to-ceiling fresco that took local artists three months to paint by hand. Other highlights in the bar include the sapphire velvet sofas, the spiral staircase and the shelves of books ranging from English classics to travel guides.

The Location

If you must leave the comforts of the palace, central Jaipur is a 30-minute drive away on low-traffic days. The hotel is also conveniently located just 20 minutes from major landmarks such as Amber Palace, Jaigarh Fort and the Jal Mahal water palace.

The Time to Go

October through March are the best months to visit Jaipur, as the warmer months (April to October) bring scorching temperatures and monsoon rains. If you’re looking to celebrate, consider planning your trip during Holi in the spring or Diwali in the fall, two especially festive times in Northern India.

The Vibe

The hotel’s rooftop has a pool, restaurant and cigar lounge.

The spa treatment everyone is booking: You won’t find a treatment more royal than the Maharani Retreat, a 90-minute multistep affair that involves a foot scrub, full-body massage, facial and body cream wrap with rose and saffron oils, all performed in a large treatment room with a private steam room.

Your go-to drink at The Writers Bar: As is tradition at many Raffles properties, Raffles Jaipur serves its own version of the Singapore Sling, which was invented at the flagship Singapore location in 1915. The hotel’s take on the drink, the Jaipur Sling, is made with pineapple juice, lime and herbal-infused Rajasthani liqueur.

The over-the-top requests you can make: The on-property butlers are more than happy to assist you with anything you need during your trip, from room service and local recommendations to procuring items you left at home (think: contact lens solution and hair straighteners) and arranging private guides and transportation for a day trip to the Taj Mahal, five hours away in Agra.

The scent you’re smelling: Every corner of the property is fragranced with the property’s Moonlit Mirage, an alluring mix of bergamot, orange blossom, saffron and musk that’ll boost your mood throughout your stay.

The all-white façade of Raffles Jaipur is modeled after a zenana, or the women’s quarters of a palace.

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