We were curious: how would Minor Hotels’ first outpost in Jaipur, a city overflowing with palace hotels, set itself apart? Having stayed at their international properties, expectations were high. So when we pulled into Anantara Jewel Bagh, Jaipur, just 45 minutes from the city centre, there was only one thing to do: surrender to the magic.
The welcome? A full-blown celebration. Nagada drums echoed through the courtyard as we stepped out of the car, instantly transported to another era. A quick tika on the forehead. Bandhani chunnis slipped over our shoulders. Bangles stacked on our wrists. Just like that, we weren’t guests anymore. We were maharanis-in-residence.
The lobby is a quiet riot of Thikri mirror work, gilded accents, and larger-than-life paintings depicting scenes from the Mahabharata. It feels like a portal, where history and opulence meet with just the right amount of restraint. We sipped our welcome drinks, slipped into character, and let ourselves be led on a tour of the property. Because when in Jewel Bagh, you might as well embrace the fantasy.
Check in: 10/10
Our room wasn’t quite ready when we arrived, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We set off on a short tour of Anantara Jewel Bagh, Jaipur, which ended, magically, at the Sheesh Mahal. This glittering jewel box of a bar is a handcrafted ode to the original Amer Fort Sheesh Mahal, lovingly recreated by the fourth generation of the same artisan family. It took three years to complete, and it shows. We sipped on the space’s signature welcome drink (equal parts refreshing and regal) while soaking in the light dancing across the mirrored walls. Instantly, it became my favourite corner of the hotel.
By the time we returned, our room was ready and our bags had already been sent up. Check-in was done in-room, quietly elegant and totally fuss-free.
Rooms: 9/10
The Terrace Suite at Anantara Jewel Bagh, Jaipur is pretty much fit for modern royalty. A private outdoor terrace, complete with a heated jacuzzi—overlooks the immaculately manicured Amer Bagh lawns. Inside, a plush bedroom opens into a cosy living space. The suite has not one but two window-seat nooks (a personal favourite). We were welcomed with a handwritten note from the GM and a selection of beautifully crafted bites made just for us. The only miss? A plug point on one side of the bed. But honestly, it’s a room you’ll want to unplug in anyway.
Dining: 10/10
The food at Anantara Jewel Bagh, Jaipur? Decadent, layered, and a full-blown journey. Our first meal at Amrit Mahal, their all-day dining spot, was a curated Asian tasting menu. Grape and cheese amuse-bouche, edamame truffle dumplings, and more dishes than we could count. Instead of ordering à la carte, we got to sample a variety of highlights, and it was lovely.
That night, we were treated to Designer Dining, a private eight-course experience under a chhatri. With printed menus, soft lighting, and standout dishes like the asparagus velouté and chicken spanakopita, it was an elegant, old-world moment. Lunch the next day was back at Amrit Mahal with their North Indian tasting menu, “Delhi 6 to 19.” Safe to say: they outdid themselves.
But the crown jewel was Sheesh Mahal. A nine-course Designer Dining menu—crafted for this space alone—celebrated Rajputana’s culinary legacy with modern twists. Each dish was storytelling on a plate. Bikaneri Bhujia & Hara Cholia Hummus? A nod to Maharaja Dungar Singh’s 1877 invention. Bater Jaisalkot (farmed quail, pounded spices)? A tribute to royal hunts and British influences. Chef Sunil Jajoria’s passion was evident in every course. This was not just dinner, it was theatre.
Even in-room dining was a win: we had breakfast on our private terrace with croissants, coffee, and an early morning soak in the jacuzzi. One last indulgent note before checkout.
Experiences: 9/10
From the moment we were picked up to the second we stepped into the grand lobby, Anantara Jewel Bagh, Jaipur didn’t miss a beat. The hotel is fully equipped with a spa, salon, swimming pool, and even a kids’ room. But it was the details that elevated the experience.
We tried the Anantara Signature Spa Ritual, which ended with a quiet moment in the steam room. It was restorative, indulgent, and just what we needed. Later, we signed up for Spice Spoons, the brand’s signature cooking class, where we learnt to make Pushkar Gulab ki Kheer. Which is a delicate, rice-free kheer made with Edward roses from Pushkar. It was delicious, and just the right amount of eccentric.
But the moment that completely stole our hearts? After dinner under the starlit chattri, we returned to our room to find the hotel’s mascot: Lali, a silver-adorned wooden elephant. And next to it, was a brass urli bowl filled with fresh flowers. Alongside it: Epsom salts, a plush towel, a loofah, and a note that read: “Your weary feet deserve pampering. Soak your feet in warm water for 10 minutes after adding bath salts. This treatment is known to benefit the entire body by stimulating the reflex zones of the feet.”
Thoughtful doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Check out: 10/10
As seamless and graceful as the rest of our stay. Our bags were packed, breakfast was wrapped up, and we were gently ushered out like the maharanis we had momentarily become.
Final Thoughts:
There are luxury stays, and then there’s Anantara Jewel Bagh, Jaipur. It’s a place where the rituals feel intentional, the beauty feels personal, and the hospitality comes with soul. It’s not performative, it’s poetic. From handwritten notes to heritage-rich dinners and post-chatter foot soaks—this is the kind of stay that spoils you for the others.
A hotel that knows when to dazzle and when to dial it down. Where you can eat like royalty, sleep like a maharani, and leave feeling more rested than you expected. Jaipur has a new jewel. And yes, it sparkles.
Doubles for the Terrace suite at Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur start from: INR 22,000 + taxes (approx).
Book here.