RAAS Jodhpur

We spend a lot of time in these virtual pages wrestling with the pros and cons of India’s two main hotel genres. On the one hand you’ve got the historic palace hotels, which make a virtue out of traditional architecture and traditional service. And on the other you’ve got the stylish, design-conscious boutique hotels. Rarely can you stay in a hotel with one foot in each world — but that’s exactly what RAAS Jodhpur is. Thoroughly modern within, thoroughly ancient without, it’s something special indeed: a chic luxury boutique that blends seamlessly into the old walled city of Jodphur.

It’s practically in the shadow of Mehrangarh Fort, whose towering hilltop figure dominates the old city, and it would be impossible to ask for a more inspiring backdrop. Once inside RAAS, though, you’ll be struck by architecture of a more recent vintage — still respectfully idiomatic, but decidedly modern, a style that’s sensitive to context but keeps well clear of cliché.

The immediate centerpiece of the hotel is the pool, lined with cabanas, the ideal refuge from the daytime heat. Most rooms have views of the fort, and its presence is felt wherever you go. Dine on Indian or international fare by night, and by day, experience one of India’s most magical places.