If you’re a Delhite, I’m sure the mention of Neemrana brings to mind a quick getaway only two hours away from Delhi. Well, that’s what happens to most of us, including myself. Recently, after striking out all my options for weekend getaways, just as I was about to book myself a staycation at the Neemrana Fort Hotel, I happened to stumble upon a hidden gem by the same group of hotels in Alwar, barely 74 km away from Neemrana and around 170 km away from Delhi!
IDEAL FOR
Kesroli Hill Fort in Alwar is the ideal spot if you’re looking for a royal and peaceful getaway close to New Delhi and have had enough of much-visited places like Rishikesh, Agra et al. The icing on the cake is, the hotel is as suitable for a family trip as it is for a romantic weekend or even a solo adventure.
ABOUT KESROLI HILL FORT
The majestic and quaint Kesroli Hill Fort lies in the midst of the rustic lands of Kesroli in Alwar district. Set atop a magnificent dark rock hill, the heritage property dates back to the 14th century and is believed to have been built by the Yaduvanshi Rajputs. The fort is then said to have been captured by the Mughals and Jats before it landed in the hands of the Rajputs in 1775, when the princely state of Alwar was formed. The restoration process of the fort started in 1995 and was finally opened to the public as an exquisite heritage property in 1998.
Even though the fort has been renovated and restored to suit all modern day needs and luxuries, it still retains its historic charm and has been kept as original and authentic as possible.
The fort boasts of five grand rooms, ten luxury suites and twelve rooms—all starkly different from each other in terms of structure, décor, names and nature. But the one thing that is common to all these accommodations is the spotless white walls which give the rooms a pristine feel. The monotony is broken by using authentic Rajasthani décor items in vivid colours which give the rooms a ‘Greece-like’ vibe.
A breathtaking rooftop pool which offers a stunning 360-degree view of the landscape, well-equipped spa with services to die for, and interior gardens where you can just sit and be enthralled by the fort and its surroundings, add to the grandiose of the hotel.
COST
Luxury comes at a cost. Well, not really! A stay for two starts at just INR 3,500 and goes up to INR 14,000 which includes a hearty breakfast, which comes regardless of the room you pick! For the other meals of the day, fixed menus are offered at INR 900 per person per meal, apart from the option of going a-la-carte.
FOOD
The Kesroli Hill Fort is an absolute haven for foodies, serving scrumptious North Indian cuisine as well as fine oriental and continental cuisines. The meats used in the restaurant are procured from the popular gourmet food chain, The French Farm, which ensures A-grade quality of meats. Also, if you are in the mood to have something special, inform the chef a few hours in advance and the courteous staff gets down to it right away!
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Although Alwar has sweltering summers with temperatures going as high as 50 degree Celsius, winters are quite pleasant. The months from October to February are ideal for a visit to the city.
HOW TO GET THERE
The closest metro city to Alwar is New Delhi and here’s how you can reach the heart of Rajasthan from the capital city.
By Road – NH79 connects Delhi to Kesroli Hill Fort. It takes approximately three and a half hours to cover the distance of 170 km.
By Train – When it comes to taking the rail route, Delhi is well connected to Alwar with several trains plying on the route. It takes about two hours and forty-five minutes to cover this distance.
THINGS TO DO HERE
Alwar may not be brimming with activity but there’s a lot you can do in and around Kesroli Hill Fort.
1. RELAX, REFRESH AND REJUVENATE – If you’re really looking to unwind and pamper yourself to some soothing massages, the spa facility at the Kesroli Hill Fort is just what you need! Managed by the popular spa chain, Oriental Senses, the treatments are guaranteed to de-stress you completely and the ‘Swede Dreams’ or the Swedish Massage (a special technique that involves rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart which results in a complete relaxation of the body) will definitely transport you to the land of unicorns!
2. WILD THINGS – Barely an hours drive from the Hill Fort, the Sariska Tiger Reserve is a great way to spend your day learning about the rich flora and fauna in the company of leopards, hyenas, wild bears and tigers. Spread across a massive area of 886 sq. kms, the Sariska Tiger Reserve is one of the most important wildlife parks in the country and also houses places of historical importance such as the Kankarwadi Fort which is located at the centre of the reserve. While private vehicles are not allowed inside the park, one can easily hire an open gypsy for a tour of the sprawling sanctuary.
3. FAMILY TIME – One of the most popular picnic spots in Alwar, the Jaisamand Lake is the right way to spend your day with your loved ones if you are in the city. The massive artificial lake makes for a great spot to just laze around the waters and soak in the expanse and beauty of the pristine waters.
Want to share your experience of visiting Alwar? Write into the Tripoto Community because your inputs are more valuable than you’d imagine! So travel on and keep writing!
All property pictures by Neemrana Group of Hotels.
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