Though not big enough for the near-billion-dollar Ambani wedding in Mumbai that made headlines recently for its roster of celebrity guests, lavish hospitality and enormous budget, the Fairmont Jaipur has nonetheless seen its fair share of Bollywood-scale nuptials.
The majestic Raffles Jaipur.
Since opening in 2012, the luxury resort hotel 20 kilometres outside the centre of Rajasthan’s Pink City, has established itself as a coveted wedding venue – it hosts 60 to 70 premium weddings in a year, almost a quarter of which are for non-resident Indian couples – and it reserves the right to decline bookings.
Its general manager, Rajat Sethi told The Economic Times: “Fairmont Jaipur has emerged as the leading wedding hotel not only in the city of Jaipur but in the country itself. Inquiry for any luxury wedding first comes to us.”
Now it’s got a glamorous sister property right next door that’s destined to up the wait list.
Raffles Jaipur has opened within the same development, offering 50 suites with private pools or outdoor soaking tubs, and though it’s a new build, it has been fashioned to reflect the old-world charm of Rajasthani palaces, particularly the traditional quarters for female royals.
Luxurious quarters.
Owners, the Indian company Triton Hotels and Resorts, introduced the first international hotel brand in Rajasthan by opening Le Meridien Hotel in Jaipur in 2003. As well as the Fairmont and Raffles Jaipur properties, the company also developed Raffles Udaipur.
The combination of Indian sensibilities and day-to-day management by Accor’s Raffles arm comprise what is hoped will be a destination in itself.
The Raffles’ signature Writers Bar in this instance offers the Jaipur Sling, in honour of the original Raffles and Writers Bar in Singapore where the Singapore Sling is legendary. The afternoon tea, while traditional, celebrates diverse Rajasthani regional flavours.