Alila Fort Bishangarh Jaipur

Perched on top of a granite hillock in the midst of a vast expanse of the Aravalli Range, surrounded by hills dotted with havelis, villages and temples, Alila Fort Bishangarh is legendary amongst heritage hotels in Jaipur for the adaptive reuse of a 230-year-old warrior fort into one of India’s most unique heritage properties.

Sustainable design was the core commitment of the team. Extensive research and care were taken to develop a design vocabulary that fully embraced the original structure and its place in history.

Design ideas of the past were encapsulated in a way that served today’s needs best. Taking the cue from what was found in the ruins, local traditional materials were used in a modern adaptation, to make it accessible (and applicable) for the younger generation, yet still connecting them to their roots.

All windows, entrance portals, arches, columns, railings, jaali screens (latticed window patterns), turrets and walls had to be fully in sync with the original. Broken elements were recreated, finishes emulated, and old pieces reused.

Of the 100,000 sq ft area of the fort, only 30,000 sq ft is covered in marble, while the rest is finished in local sandstone. According to historical records, this was once the residential abode for various kings, which explained the more stately decoration.

Two of these royal quarters now house the main restaurant Amarsar, named after the birthplace of the royal Shekhawat clan. The design concept embraces elements of Jaipur Gharana architecture, featuring Rajput and Mughal influences.

A perfect example of this can be seen in the ‘Amarsar’ restaurant, where Tudor and Cusped arches harmoniously coexist – aptly styled for a warrior fort.

The walls have been finished not with paint but with modern adaptations of the traditional surkhi (stone dust) and araish, the dying Rajasthani plastering art that results in glistening surfaces. From the very start, simplicity was sought.

Rather than creating an ornate palace, as might be expected of a Rajasthani heritage property, the design direction is decidedly stark and spartan, marked by clean and uncluttered interiors judiciously woven with Rajasthani elements – Jharokha-style windows, stone Jaali work, brass embossed panels, Tarkashi (the craft of brass wire designs inlaid in wood), hand block printed fabric, old-style doors and wall frescoes with Thikri mirror work.

Local marble, granite, carpets, fabrics, artefacts, lighting and furniture all contribute to authenticate its adaptive reconstruction.

The result is a fortress that remains completely at home in its setting, its grand majesty respectfully preserved in a unique marriage of history and modernity that is truly ‘surprisingly different’.

The fort now begins a new legacy, forged in exceptional facilities and unforgettable experiences. Generously appointed guest rooms come with all the modern comforts and conveniences, including expansive bathrooms, footed/built-in bathtubs and large daybeds.

The library, set amidst old marble pillars, bears testimony to the old kingdom with the size of its holdings mapped out on the wall, and Spa Alila, carved out between granite rocks in the old dungeon, provides atmospheric settings for relaxation.

F&B options are excitingly varied and are a veritable treasure hunt. Turrets, cellars and secret passages have been turned into bars, lounges and creative spaces for dining and meetings. The royal living quarters are now the indoor specialty restaurant Amarsar.

Nazaara, an outdoor grill dining terrace dishes out Rajput and frontier cuisine which involves sand-pit cooking and smoked meats. Madhuveni is where you find the cigar/cognac turret.

The room still retains openings in its thick stone wall for muskets and for pouring out hot, boiling oil on intruding armies below. These have been kept open to promote a natural system of air-conditioning.

And finally, the Kachhawa Lounge, where the secret royal escape route was found, now serves the 4 Cs – champagne, coffee, chai and cakes. A grand banquet hall, conference room and show kitchen/event dining space round off the banqueting experience.

The food concept and menus are innovatively curated by the renowned Chef Ranveer Brar, to bring back the older ways of cooking on open fire and in hot sand where food gets slow cooked in its own juices. Simple, fresh and artisanal with a throw-back to tradition are the operating mantras at Alila Fort Bishangarh.

Meanwhile, down the hill is the Haveli, offering a labyrinth of spaces to chill,, including a pool, bar, fitness centre, luxurious banquet lawns, and Play Alila – Kids’ Club – with separate areas for teenagers and toddlers.

For that connection with Mother Nature, there’s an organic garden, a fruit orchard and a greenhouse set up amidst the ravines as well as various green lounging areas to explore.

A work of passion and endurance spanning almost a decade, the rebirth of this historic fort into the stunning Alila Fort Bishangarh provides an architecturally and historically rich experience for guests, encompassing fun, indulgence, discovery, and respect for the past.

A walk through the broad corridors (deliberately left open to let the breeze in) with granite stones peeping out every here and there; where standing in the courtyard, one can gaze up at the open sky to have the sun warm your face or enjoy the rain… there is a quiet sense of tranquility and reverence that can be felt … a feeling of the utmost privilege to have arrived.

Amarsar
A speciality restaurant inspired by the Silk Road Route.
Much acclaimed as an excellent family restaurant in Jaipur, this all-day dining venue serves a unique Thala breakfast, a la carte breakfast, international lunch and dinner menus featuring age-old traditional recipes inspired by the Silk Route, as well as the Alila To Eat in-room dining menu, catering to all palates and age groups.

Nazaara
The breathtaking view and dining under the stars define one of the best restaurants in Jaipur, featuring Shekhawat and Bishangarh food, very local and seasonal cuisine. The restaurant also specializes in Rajput hunter cuisine with live sandpit and fire pit cooking.

Madhuveni
Named after the Bishangarh village river, Madhuveni bar and restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy the best whisky blends, paired with smoked delights and cocktails with tapas. The bar has an elevated cigar lounge offering cigars and cognacs.

Haveli
Hailed as one of the top restaurants in Jaipur, our boutique poolside restaurant offers a taste of the Mediterranean using fresh, seasonal, local ingredients and pickings from our organic garden. It also offers a special daily changing dessert menu.

Spa Alila
At Spa Alila, our idyllic spa in Jaipur, the goal is to help bring you back into balance naturally with treatments personalized to your needs.

Through the heartfelt touch of our experienced therapist, our naturally active products and maximum guest input, we create a new dimension in nurturing and divine pampering rituals.

Surrender to the blissful Spa Alila experience and you’ll see and feel the benefits in your appearance, your spirit and your overall sense of wellbeing. Step into our sanctuary and let your pampering begin.

The Roots of Jaipur
Our signature spa experience highlights an age-old tradition with the use of medicinal herbs and spices from the region. Treatment includes a detoxifying full body scrub made from local green gram and turmeric that is known to soften and relieve dry or damaged skin.

A combination of soothing and deep tissue massage strokes are combined with the healing oils of camphor, mustard and coconut oil to help increase blood flow and relieve muscle pain. Treatment concludes with a basil and ginger infused steam that clears the lungs and removes built-up toxins.

Weddings
Live the dream of a royal wedding amidst the splendour of the majestic Alila Fort Bishangarh where your wedding is witnessed by history itself. Elegant and luxurious 59 rooms and suites offer a perfect setting with a promise of privacy and undivited attention to curate lifetime memories.

Enchanting indoor and outdoor locations play host to every meaningful ritual, and that magical moment when two lives entwine, surrounded by love and the magnificent Aravalli hills at one of the most magical wedding venues in Jaipur.

Every detail, from dining and decoration to photography and entertainment, is exquisitely tailored to create a spectacular once-in-a-lifetime celebration that’s everything, and more, you could imagine.

Meetings
In the style of Shahpura royalty, Alila Fort Bishangarh provides a majestic locale for grand meetings and celebratory events and has gained a reputation for being amongst the most preferred conference venues in Jaipur.

For unforgettable and authentic experiences, we provide 21 options in creative spaces, coupled with state-of-the-art technology and uniquely tailored services brought to you by experienced Event Curators.

About The Destination
Jaipur, the capital of India’s Rajasthan state, was founded in 1727 by Maharaj Jai Singh II, who ruled Jaipur State from 1699-1744. Initially his capital was Amber, which lies 11 km from Jaipur.

As the kingdom’s population grew, he moved the capital to Jaipur, which was developed as India’s first ever planned city, following the principles of Shilpa Shastra (the science of Indian architecture), and referencing the ancient Indian knowledge on astronomy.

It was in 1876 that the city was painted its famed pink colour – the colour of warmth and welcome – for the visit of the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII).

Since then, the “Pink City”, as it is lovingly called, has retained its rosy blush, which continues to charm travellers from around the world. Alila Fort Bishangarh, a magnificent hotel in Jaipur, India is the ideal launch pad to start exploring the much famed attractions in and around Jaipur.

Amer Fort

Located high on a hill in the town of Amer, this magnificent fort is one of Jaipur’s principal tourist attractions. Built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I, it is known for its artistic blend of Hindu and Rajput elements. Walk along its large ramparts and cobbled paths. Explore its stately rooms overlooking mesmerising views of neighbouring Maota Lake.

Nahargarh Fort

Meaning “abode of the tigers”, Nahargarh Fort combines history with incredible views of Jaipur city from its perch on the edge of the Aravalli Hills. Built in 1734 and extended in 1868 to fortify the northern frontier of Jaipur, this magnificent red stone structure is an excellent example of Mughal architecture.

Jaigarh Fort

Experience the imposing majesty of Jaigarh Fort, built in the early 18th century, and which remains almost intact. Surrounded by huge battlements and offering panoramic hilltop views of Jaipur city, the fort houses a magnificent palace complex, a museum and armoury, as well as the world’s largest cannon – Jaiban.

City Palace

Located at the heart of Jaipur, the City Palace is a glorious remnant of Jaipur’s royal past, with beautiful architecture that blends Mughal and Rajput styles, vast courtyards and attractive gardens. The most commanding building is Chandra Mahal, a seven-storey tower where royal descendants continue to reside, and housing a museum showcasing royal artefacts. A must-visit for history lovers.

Albert Hall

Inspired by The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Albert Hall is exquisitely built in Indo-Saracenic style and stands in the centre of Ram Niwas Garden. Dedicated to the history of civilisations, architecture and artisan crafts, the museum displays a wide range of wood, metal, marble and clay crafts, textiles, sculptures and weapons, as well as a large collection of miniatures from the Bundi, Kota, Kishangarh, Udaipur and Jaipur schools of art.

Hawa Mahal

Visit one of Jaipur’s most iconic landmarks, Hawa Mahal, otherwise known as The Palace of Winds. Built in 1799 by the poet-king Sawai Pratap Singh, the five-storey structure is made of pink sandstone and features 356 intricately carved jharokhas (windows) through which women of the royal family could observe life on the street in privacy.

Jal Mahal

From the banks of Lake Sagar, capture photos of one of the most wonderful sights in Jaipur, the beautiful Jal Mahal or Lake Palace. Appearing to float in the centre of the lake, its light, sand-coloured stone walls contrast with the deep blue of the water, creating the perfect picture of serenity.

Moti Dungri Temple

Rising in the middle of Jaipur is a small pearl-shaped hill called Moti Dungri, upon which sits an exotic royal palace styled like a Scottish castle. The highlight of Moti Dungri is the famous and auspicious temple of Lord Ganesh located at the foothill.

Birla Mandir Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, the Birla Mandir, also known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, is famed for its architectural splendour. Built in 1988 by the Birlas, a renowned industrialist family, it is constructed entirely of pure white marble with walls engraved with mythological tales.

Govind Dev Ji Temple

Experience the tranquility and spirituality of one of Jaipur’s oldest and most sacred temples. Located in the City Palace complex, surrounded by beautiful gardens, this rare spire-less temple houses the idol of Govind Dev Ji, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna. Worshipped by the erstwhile royal family, the deity is also revered by Hindus in Jaipur and nearby areas.

Jantar Mantar

The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the largest of five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. It contains fourteen geometric devices, designed to measure time, track celestial bodies and observe the orbits of the planets around the sun. An out-of-this-world experience for astronomy enthusiasts!

Nahargarh Biological Park

Spanning 720 hectares in the foothills of the Aravalli range, the park is a delight for wildlife lovers. Take a jeep safari or go bird watching in this sanctuary of diverse flora and fauna, home to jungle cats such as panthers, tigers and lions, a range of reptiles, and over 285 species of birds.

Your Selected Experience

Journey To You
The remote wilderness location of Alila Fort Bishangarh in the Aravalli hills is the perfect place for utter seclusion. Experience a day devoted to your well-being.

Meet the Local Artisans
Rajasthan is considered the incomparable craft paradise of India. Bishangarh in particular is noted for the unique style and exquisite workmanship of its handmade jewellery and carpet weaving.

The Warrior Horse
Relive the royal days of the Shekhawati dynasty, riding like warriors of old on a fascinating trail to explore along the river bed and the old shelter of Bishangarh.

Rajasthani Rasosda Masterclass
Feel like a Rajasthani local as you prepare a home-cooked meal from scratch.

Private Dining Experiences
Celebrate a special occasion or romance your loved one with a personalised dining experience in any of the Fort’s unique and private locations.

We Spa Time
Indulge with your loved one in a rejuvenating and relaxing full body spa treatment of your choice, followed by a curated bath experience with a bottle of Prosecco to toast to your happiness!

Sustainable Tourism
Committed to a sustainable future, Alila Fort Bishangarh is designed in harmony with the environment, preserving the extraordinary natural beauty of the region.

The restoration of the ancient fort harnessed traditional Rajasthani construction techniques using local stone, combined with contemporary architecture to create a uniquely relaxing environment.

Environmental Goals

To minimize any environmental impact from the operation of the resort, we also adhere to a comprehensive policy of environmental sustainability.

Our commitments include minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and pollution; an in-house waste recycling program; the use of indigenous low-water-use plants to reduce water used in landscape irrigation; as well as a wastewater management system that recycles as much wastewater as possible for use in irrigation making us trailblazers amongst eco friendly hotels in India.

The use of active solar systems for water heating makes the resort operations even more sustainable with minimal carbon footprint. The buildings are also supported by our passive solar design. The open design of the rooms is intended to allow maximum cross ventilation and daylight penetration, reducing the use of lights.

Inside the Fort, rocks are integrated into the walls and roof to improve the insulation system and reduce the use of air conditioning. They are also used for external areas to reduce heat from the sun.

Local Community

Beyond our environmental responsibilities, we aim to respect and preserve the local way of life and traditions in all our activities, while also benefitting the local community. We are committed to hiring the majority of our employees from the local area.

We utilise fresh local produce from local suppliers wherever possible, with a preference for those in profit-sharing co-operative organisations.

And in the spirit of giving back, we also engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, and encourage guests to participate in these and other programmes that promote responsible tourism.