Personally, I have stayed in many amazing hotels and resorts till now. Once upon a time, I used to believe that more than the stay, the actual location and the activities matter. But I don't think the same anywhere. Some places, it is the people and the activities which make it so special for you and some places, it is the stay.
In the last 2-3 years, I have had the luxury to visit some of the most exotic hotels and resorts which offered great views and tons of amazing ammenities. But one of my favorite places till date has to be the Indra Vilas Heritage Hotel in Alsisar.
About the Property
Did you know that Alsisar is known as the Fresco village? Yes, that's right! This is because all the homes and havelis here have beautiful frescoes covering their doors and walls and Indra Vilas is no different in this department.
In fact, the color and the creative paintings makes this heritage hotel stand out than other hotels and resorts in this area. Firstly, the area is huge and houses almost more than 15 rooms for guests to stay in and enjoy. There are two kinds of rooms available: Suite Room and Deluxe Room.
In the Suite Room, you will stay in a room with a four poster bed with fresco paintings covering the ceilings and the walls. On the other hand, a Deluxe Room is a simple, spacious room with a double bed or two single beds.
The best part is the colorful frescoes which adorn the walls of the hotels and the beautiful, sparkling pool which is nestled right between all the rooms.
And that's not all, apart from the beautiful decor and a tempting swimming pool, they also have puppet show and cultural dance performances every night to keep you entertained. And since this hotel is right in the middle of the Alsisar village, you can simply take a walk around and learn more about the village from the locals.
Cost
Well, the cost of the rooms here is usually around 6000 - 8000 INR for a night depending on the number of guests in a room. This cost includes the access to the swimming pool, garden, WiFi, parking area, etc.
It also includes free buffet breakfast every morning where you have several choices like toast, bread jam, cornflakes, juices, and so on.
Food
The best thing about this place is that they offer a wide range of food items to their guests during the meal times. They have a separate dining room where the guests can check out the buffet dishes and take what they feel like eating.
All the dishes are perfectly cooked and heated up at all times so you don't have to worry about the buffet getting stale. Another great thing is that if you don't feel like eating the buffet then you can always order food from the menu and enjoy it in your room while relaxing.
They serve both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes and have an especially delicious breakfast to offer to their guests.
Best Time to Visit
Since this hotel is in Alsisar, Rajasthan, the place stays warm throughout the year. But the best thing about this hotel is that since there is a pool and all the rooms are air-conditioned, you can visit it during the summers as well.
Monsoon might not be a good time to visit because you won't be able to enjoy the pool or explore around the city due to wet sand. But if you truly want to enjoy your stay here then visit during the winter months.
During the winter season, you can explore the city and check out other amazing small forts and havelis here. In fact, December is a good time as this is when the famous Magnetic Fields Festival is held in Alsisar. In this festival, you will get to enjoy the music from one of the most amazing artists throughout the world.
How to Get Here
The only issue with Alsisar is that there aren't many public transportation options around here. So, if you want to reach Alsisar, you will need to either get your own car or hire a taxi from the nearest town.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station to Alsisar is in Jhunjhunu which is connected to some major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, etc. So, you can take a train to reach here and then take a taxi to Alsisar which is situated at a distance of 25km from here.
By Road:
You can also take a road trip to Alsisar which is just 250 km from Delhi, 210 km from Jaipur, and similarly to other places in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, etc.
The roads are quite smooth and the highways will allow you to reach Alsisar village in just 5-6 hours, depending on your starting point.
By Air:
The airport closest to Alsisar is the Jaipur airport at a distance of around 220km. So, one can take a flight to Jaipur and then hire a taxi to reach Alsisar.
Things to Do Here and Around Alsisar
As I have already mentioned, Alsisar (Shekhavati) is a popular village which is best know for its culture and paintings.
So, here are a few things that you can do while spending a weekend at the amazing Indra Vilas Heritage Hotel.
Admire the Beautiful Frescos Around Here
Alsisar is the village covered with glass paintings and frescoes. So, if you like art or are interested in photography, then you can take a look around and make the most of this beautiful village.
If you don't feel like venturing out then you can explore the hotel premises to get a glimpse of the colorful frescoes which cover the walls and the windows here.
Go to the Famous Magnetic Fields Festival
Every year in December, Alsisar witnesses the most amazing music festival in which artists come from all around the world to showcase their talent. Yes, I am talking about none other than the happening Magnetic Fields Festival which is a dream come true for all the music lovers out there.
So, if you love concerts or dancing then make sure you plan a trip during the Magnetic Fields Festival time and make the most of it.
Explore the nearby Alsisar Mahal
One of the best things to do in Alsisar is to explore the amazing Alsisar Mahal which was built in the 17th century. This famous palace is filled with grand courtyards, beautiful frescoes, etc.
And the best part is that this palace has been turned into a heritage hotel now but that doesn't diminish its Rajasthani feel. So, if you want to witness how the royals lived in Rajasthani then taking a tour of the Alsisar Mahal is the best way to do that.
Indra Vilas has one of the best swimming pools in its garden which is perfect for relaxing and enjoying yourself. You can simply dive in the pool during the day time and enjoy being surrounded by green and the colorful flowers.
At night, you can further head out of your room to enjoy the daily Puppet show and ethnic dance performances which are arranged here.
Visit the Nearby Villages and Cities for a Local Taste
You can also head out to the nearby villages like Ramgarh, Mandawa, etc. to explore the beautiful havelis, temples, cenotaphs, etc. here.
This way, you also get a chance to see other beautiful fresco villages and can interact with the locals to learn more about the Rajasthani culture and their lifestyle.
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