Svatma

One of Rajasthan’s most glorious architectural wonders is the meticulously restored 14th-century Fort Barwara. What once belonged to a Rajasthani Royal Family has been transformed into a Six Senses sanctuary of well-being. Six Senses Fort Barwara is located a three-hour drive from Jaipur and a 30-minute drive from Ranthambore National Park, where you can go in search of the region’s wild tigers. It houses 48 luxury suites where the essence of royalty has been kept intact. The East Wing overlooks the countryside and the West Wing offers views to Barwara village and beyond. Each accommodation is designed in contemporary Rajasthani style, reinterpreting the fort’s rich history while subtly incorporating state-of-the-art technology. Here, dining is a royal affair. The on-site restaurants combine the best of regional Rajasthani and pan-Indian cuisine with a sprinkling of international influences while embracing the Eat With Six Senses philosophy of local, fresh and seasonal produce. Where possible, they harvest ingredients from the resort’s very own organic gardens and carefully selected farmers from the villages and townships nearby. As the sun begins to set over the Chauth ka Barwara Mandir Temple, come and find the wine sommelier to tour their vintages, or start your evening as you mean to go on with a pre-dinner cocktail at The Viewing Gallery. There is also an immense focus on personalised wellness. The resort is home to a 30,000-square-foot (2,800-square-meter) spa and fitness centre where an extensive menu of Ayurvedic treatments awaits. You can even blend your own skincare products at their Alchemy Bar. Six Senses Barwara is a royal base for exploring Rajasthan’s regional delights. Activities can be customized based on your preferences, whether it’s enjoying a sunset drive through the Rajasthani countryside or discovering the wildlife of nearby Ranthambore National Park. With visits to the temple and guided heritage walks, you will find endless possibilities to immerse in local history and culture.

In the middle of wide open wilderness between the cities of Jodhpur and Udaipur, JAWAI is an intimate safari camp surrounded by arid scrubland and towering granite kopjes that numerous leopards and nomadic Rabari herdsmen call home.

Set on the banks of the holy River Ganges on one of Varanasi’s 87 ghats is Brijrama Palace, an opulent hotel that is perfect for those that want to be close to the heart and soul of this deeply spiritual city. Built in the 18th century by the Royal House of Nagpur, the palace has been lovingly restored. Murals, hand-painted ceilings and beautiful carvings revealed during the restoration have brought it back to life, ensuring the building is in keeping with this most atmospheric of cities. The hotel is approached by boat, immediately giving you the sense you are entering somewhere special. The central courtyard is filled with plants and sculptures and surrounded by a series of ornate pillars and arches cut from sandstone. Barnasi silk and gold leaf is used throughout the hotel and rooms are furnished with wooden four poster beds and beautiful Indian fabrics. You’re ideally situated to explore the city, a stone’s throw from Dasashwamedh Ghat where the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony takes place. As people flock with their offerings, the river becomes a blanket of twinkling lights with oil lamps and flowers carried along the water. The restaurant serves delicious vegetarian cuisine while tea, freshly ground coffee and traditional thandai can be enjoyed outdoors. In the evening there is live classical music in the lounge. There are few places on earth quite like Varanasi, so make sure you set aside some time to head to the rooftop and soak up its incredible and unique atmosphere.

There are few places as secluded and spectacularly beautiful as Shakti 360° Leti, hidden deep in the Himalayan mountains. The journey here is an adventure in itself and once you reach this mountainous paradise at 8,000 feet, you’ll see what makes it such a special and unique place. Shakti 360° Leti consists of four luxury cabins, an innovative combination of traditional building techniques and contemporary design. Each cabin features glass walls so you never have to miss out on the spectacular views. Luxury feather duvets and pashmina blankets keep you warm at night, until the sun peeks its head over the mountains in the morning and filters through the windows. En suite bathrooms with large brass sinks and fluffy bathrobes offer all the comfort you could need. Activities naturally revolve about being out and about and experiencing this epic landscape. Village walks and trekking are what most people come for, but there’s a lot to be said for simply sitting back and watching the snow and the shadows of the peaks change colour, with a glass of wine in hand. When the last of the sun’s rays have disappeared behind the horizon, head into the lounge and curl up with a book by the fireplace. To ensure the preservation of this remarkable and unique location, every effort has been made to exist in harmony with its natural surroundings. General supplies and produce for the restaurant are sourced locally and sustainable energy sources such are solar are used to heat water and provide electricity. A stay at Shakti 360° Leti is an unforgettable experience; the fresh air, unsurpassable scenery and sense of tranquility are truly humbling.