I put Shahpura in the dictionary and it came back with superlative. I looked up superlative and it said, 1. Adjective: Of the highest quality, 2. Grammar (adjective or verb) expressing the highest or a very high degree of quality. 3. Noun: An exaggerated expression of praise.
So, there you have it. ‘nuff said. Ciao x
Oh, you want more? Okay, here goes.
The Shahpura Family (Mandvi n Jai, and Maya and Sat) have been delivering excellent accommodation and experiences for almost 20 years. It was one of the first luxury, off beat destinations to open in Rajasthan. At that time I was working for one of the UK’s top luxury tour operators which only used the finest, swanky accommodation in all key city destinations, we decided to take a chance and use it as one of our off-beat destinations, we always tried to include one or two, and it came back as the highlight of our clients stay each and every time.
I was just there again two days ago for a refresher. So, what’s changed – actually, very little! They added (quite some time ago now) what has to be one of the finest pools in Rajasthan, fine-tuned their experiences (more on those later) and left the rest as it was (well, apart from adding some suites). You know the phrase, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?’ Well, it aint!
It is genuinely the ideal off beat destination for the discerning traveller, it was my third time there and my fellow guests had also been there twice before and were staying this time for five nights. So, why does it work so well?
The rooms: are immaculate, spacious (I could fit my whole house in one), beautifully decorated with impossibly high ceilings (they knew how to build in the old days), great bathrooms et al, you get the drift.
The team: some have been here since inception, some have been with the family for generations, some are new. All are polite, helpful, enthusiastic and can think on their feet, in fact are usually one step ahead of the game. Their mixology is great too, from a perfect nimbu panni to a cucumber, mint and lemon gintini!
The hosts: Well, what can I say, I’d like to give this generation credit, but it’s ingrained in their very DNA. Shahpura has the happenstance of being strategically placed between Udaipur and Jaipur, and Ranthambore to Udaipur and so became the stopping off point for many a Maharana and Maharaja over the centuries.
The experiences: You know I think that local experiences in off beat destinations are like no other, there’s so much to recommend them and here is no exception. The locals have not become spoilt or greedy, you can buy items in the town at local prices, get some great quality souvenirs or have clothes made at unbelievable prices. Which is what we did this time around. But its great just to explore, visit the hand-made shoemakers, the step well, the local temples and villages. The people here welcome you, love to chat, invite you in, tell you about their families, ask you to take photographs and provide a wonderful insight into their lives. They are also fascinated by you, and a stay here allows you the time for these interactions, two-way exchanges that are just so memorable.
You can also go cycling, do yoga (I didn’t, obvs), cooking demonstrations, farm visits, exclusive dinners at Dikhola Fort or at the pool side, sundowners at Dikhola fort, market visits and Phad painting demonstrations. Ther’s birdwatching (I tried to count how many were on the list but lost count at 250) or just relax by that fabulous pool! Post monsoon season there’s also boating for as long as the lake is full enough.
Which brings me nicely onto what they don’t bleat about. Community initiatives and support. This again is in their very DNA. Back in 1900 – 1904 there was a dreadful drought and so the current family’s Great Great Grandfather not only came up with a plan to provide a solution for the future, but, did it in a way that also provided employment for the locals at a time when the farms etc were failing and thus the 6 km long Nahar Sagar Lake with a catchment area of over 400 sq km was built, and then followed more. This now provides an invaluable lifeline to over 35 villages in the region with a canal system reaching over 28kms. Since then, the family have also instigated many other community initiatives which they are happy to discuss with you.
Shahpura Bagh is the ideal midway/stopping point for anyone traveling from Jaipur to Udaipur or Ranthambore to Udaipur. It gives clients a unique insight into Rajasthan and, with enough nights (I’d go for 4, 3 if you must) really gives them the chance to unwind. I mean, even their Wi-Fi code is unwind22! Shahpuraaaaaaah indeed.
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Email: experiences@indianexperiences.com