Some unsolicited advice for visiting India? Don’t just visit the cities. A common tourist route is the Golden Triangle - Delhi, Agra, Jaipur. They’ve got their sights, but they don’t paint the full picture of India. Staying at Rohet Garh, an hour outside of Jodhpur in rural Rajasthan, allowed us the opportunity to experience a completely different side of India.
The word "heritage" gets bandied about a lot when describing hotels, but for family-run Rohet Garh, it's more than apt. The property is the ancient ancestral home of the Rohet family, converted to a hotel in the 1990s. However it has retained much of the charm of a family home, imbuing the property with a unique sense of character that many modern hotels lack. Family photographs line the walls in the lounge, whilst Coco the dog patrols the courtyard in search of belly rubs.
We spent 2 nights exploring the property and discovering the itinerary of activities on offer. Read on for my Rohet Garh review, offering an overview of the full hotel experience.
Rohet Garh Review
Rohet Garh Location
Rohet Garh is around 45 minutes drive outside of Jodhpur in the village of Rohat - and I would recommend driving, or getting a cab transfer, as opposed to relying on local buses. If you're planning on spending some time in Jodhpur, they also have a lovely boutique property Rohet House in the city. Or like us, consider combining with nearby Mihir Garh for a truly chic experience.
Situated on the banks of a lake and surrounded by greenery, it's a distinctly tranquil departure from the frenzied city's that are the hallmark of Rajasthan. Rohat village itself is fairly compact, with a few tourist shops and amenities. Honestly, we didn't explore the region much beyond the hotel, outside of a village safari excursion - but more on that later.
Design and Character
Rohet Garh skillfully combines the cosiness and charm of a family home, with the grandeur of a luxury hotel. The former ancestral seat has been lovingly restored whilst keeping the original features and structure intact. As such, it's dripping in nostalgia - the bar, all dark woods against pops of colour, opulent furnishings paired with vintage photographs in the moody lounge, and a manager who would make an excellent character in an Agatha Christie (but also looked after us excellently!).
There are so many details to discover around every corner, each one telling hundreds of years worth of stories. The sprawling gates that welcome guests, big enough for elephants to pass through. The stooped doorframes so low, red ribbons are tied to them to warn visitors not to bang their heads. Intricate Mughal murals depicting ancient tales liberally decorate walls, whilst no arch is left unadorned.
Despite the abundance of decoration throughout the interiors and architecture, the standout, at least for me, is still the outdoor spaces. The central courtyard is awash with colourful flowerbeds and trees providing a well-needed respite from the sun. Seating is ample, dotted throughout the space for those waiting to check in, or taking in the afternoon with a tipple.
At night, the property transforms under the spell of a sea of tea lights nestled into alcoves, and fairy lights winding their way through the trees and bushes, lighting up the local musicians as they perform under the arches of a small bandstand.
Rooms and Suites
The hotel hosts 32 rooms, all individually designed and furnished. Our room at Rohet Garh was simple, but beautifully so. Carved dark wood furniture was complemented with bold patterned pillows, a scheme continued through the intricate painted wall borders. Similarly the bathroom is relatively pared back, but perfectly functional and well stocked. It's far from splashy, and rather on the traditional side, but it's all part of Rohet Garh's charm. We also had a large terrace space looking out over the neighbouring lake, perfect to watch the sunset from.
Drinking & Dining at Rohet Garh
The on-site restaurant serves up a buffet of regional dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overlooking the pool, it's a beautiful dining room with murals of horses riding their way across the walls. Under their watchful eyes, we tucked into rich curries and lots of delicious local specialities throughout our two nights at the property. It's not the biggest buffet selection ever seen, but there's enough choice of meat, fish, and veg, as well as the odd Western dish to satisfy alternative palates. Steaming piles of naans can also be supplied on demand, a service we very happily exploited. We also indulged in the odd cocktail at the bar, which packed a punch!
Service and Amenities
It's arguably quite a British thing to prefer service that is instinctive, yet not too intrusive, (I think it's our customary British awkwardness!) and Rohet Garh has that perfectly down pat. The staff at Rohet Garh are unobtrusive, yet always at hand when you need them. There's always a smiling face nearby to make you a drink at the bar, or organise an activity and excursion.
Though the rural location lends itself well to relaxing and doing as little as possible, Rohet Garh has an ample portfolio of activities should you choose otherwise. With a stable of native Marwari horses on-site, the hotel offers an equestrian programme for those keen to head out riding. If you're looking for something less active, there's bird watching, or culinary courses.
We chose to discover the local area with a "village safari", which took us out on jeep to discover the local cultures and customs. This included experiencing a traditional Brahmin opium ceremony (just a small tasting amount, don't worry!), visiting a potter and having a go spinning clay on the wheel, as well as learning about the Bishnoi people and experiencing their homes and hospitality. It was a fascinating way to learn more about rural life in Rajasthan - although we've discovered Adam is not going to be a master potter any time soon!
Read More: Mihir Garh Hotel Review
Rohet Garh Review: The Final Word
Rohet Garh is like stepping back in time, experiencing a stay seeped in the nostalgia of past eras. It's a stay for those who value discovering and celebrating local tradition and culture. Walking through the grand gates you can practically feel the generations of stories that have gone before. Visually, there's plenty to keep you occupied, with wealth of design details throughout the elegantly manicured gardens, cupola shaded pool, and colourful mural-lined interiors.
Though Rohet Garh is luxurious, it's far from flashy. The amenities are simple and traditional, but this only adds to the charm. It's truly the epitome of a boutique heritage stay, that provides a thoroughly unique Indian hospitality experience.
What I loved most about our short stay at Rohet Garh is that it allowed ourselves to experience a side of Rajasthan so far removed from the experience of the cities. It will no doubt involve a detour on your India plans, but Rohet Garh is easily well worth it.
