Kesar Bagh, Jojowar India, Rajasthan

The land where Kesar Bagh now stands is the place where the Jojawar family once had a hunting lodge, where the ancestors of the current family entertained illustrious guests. The nearby ancestral home of the family has been converted into a hotel for a good number of years now and Nagendra Singh and Amitvikram Singh Jojawar, the younger generation, have made this their personal project.

Kesar Bagh is a sensitive update on the old hunting lodge, with modern touches and clean lines and a lovely aesthetic in the design. Although hunting would be frowned upon in this day and age, the lodge is all about the glorious natural surroundings, the abundance of birdlife and the deeply peaceful and relaxing setting.

There are 8 luxury suites in the main room, all spacious with very comfortable beds and traditional, but restrained furnishings. In a separate building, there are 2 further suites. The lower floor suite has a terrace and plunge pool, whilst the upper floor one has a Jacuzzi bath on the terrace. The upper floor faces west so enjoys glorious views, especially when the sun sets over the lake beside the hotel.

The facilities are all about giving the guests time and space to relax and enjoy the countryside. There are several spots where the staff will arrange private dinners and encourage guests to enjoy drinks as the sun sets. The pool is fairly large for such a small property and the dining area is light and airy. The hotel has its own stables and guests can of course explore the local area by jeep, by bicycle or on horseback.  

The real selling point of Kesar Bagh though, is the people. Despite it being a fairly luxurious place, we would class this hotel as a ‘homestay’. The family are always here and generally host meals and make it a very personal experience. It’s fascinating to hear stories of like as a ‘thakur’ or lord in rural Rajasthan. The thakur himself, Rao sahib Maharaj Singh ji, often leads the expeditions out to the local area. The staff are generally from the local area and have worked with the family for a long time, if not generations. The atmosphere is relaxed, and there is plenty of space for guests to enjoy, but this is very much an interactive family based experience, rather than any kind of luxury hotel.