Alila Fort Bishangarh — Rajasthan, India

After nearly a decade in the making, the Alila group’s second property in India has finally opened in Rajasthan’s Aravalli range.
Set atop a granite hillock in a region speckled with havelis, villages and temples and with surrounding 360-degree views of the rolling landscape, the 59-suite hotel is far from the madding crowd, but near enough for excursive strikes to Jaipur’s famed landmarks.
Architects and interior designers Sandeep and Ritu Khandelwal have painstakingly revived, renovated and reconstructed the 230-year old defensive fort with grace, preserving original architectural details such as the intricately arched windows and ornamental latticed jaalis.
In contrast, the internal spaces have been reshaped into clean-lined simple rooms, flecked with local elements from hand painted block fabric to old-style doors and wall frescoes with Thikri mirror work.
For the more adventurous guests, biking, horse-riding, trekking and All-Terrain Vehicles are on offer, but personally, we’re staying put to take in the evocative views from Nazaara, the open-air terrace lounge, where meats are cooked in sandpits and on barbecues and served from the outdoor kitchen.
ADDRESS
Off NH-8 at Manoharpur
Bishangarh Village
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Lauren Ho is the Travel Director of Wallpaper*, roaming the globe, writing extensively about luxury travel, architecture and design for both the magazine and the website. Lauren serves as the European Academy Chair for the World's 50 Best Hotels.
-
Introducing Wallpaper’s new video series, Work in Process
In this series, Wallpaper* discovers the processes by which creative visionaries bring their work to life. First up, we head to the the Fonteyne Studio at the Royal Opera House to meet esteemed ballet dancer William Bracewell
-
Tour architect Paul Schweikher’s house, a Chicago midcentury masterpiece
Now hidden in the Chicago suburbs, architect Paul Schweikher's former home and studio is an understated midcentury masterpiece; we explore it, revisiting a story from the Wallpaper* archives, first published in April 2009
-
Technogym’s new Pilates reformer blends peak performance with sleek design
The Technogym Reform is the latest addition to the company’s design-led equipment roster, made from sustainable materials including apple-skin leather
-
Must-visit cinemas with award-worthy design
There’s more magic to the movies at these design-led cinemas, from Busan Cinema Centre’s ‘flying’ roof to The Gem Cinema Jaipur’s art deco allure
-
All aboard the world’s most luxurious train journeys
Stay on track with our pick of the most luxurious train journeys around the world, whether in 1920s-style opulence or contemporary chic
-
Members’ club Polo Palladio is Jaipur’s hottest stamping ground
Polo Palladio in Jaipur is the reimagined members-only playground of Rajasthan Polo Club, with vibrant interiors by Marie-Anne Oudejans
-
Charlee in Mumbai is a speakeasy immersed in mystery
Charlee in Mumbai’s Bandra West encompasses a clandestine restaurant and bar designed by Kaviar Collaborative
-
Telugu Medium Kitchen, in Southern India, is a labour of love
Designed by Sona Reddy Studio, Telugu Medium Kitchen dives deep into the Andhra heritage for food cooked with traditional richness
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico
-
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland
-
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia