Because of their immense religious and cultural significance, the twin-towns of Ajmer and Pushkar, are teeming with tourists almost the entire year, save for the blazing summer months of May and June. While Ajmer is famous for the dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisht, Pushkar on the other hand is known for the annual camel fair and the only temple in the whole world that is dedicated to the Hindu lord Brahma. Despite the constant flow of pilgrims, the twin-town is known to be a ‘day-long excursion’ from Jaipur (located 142 km away) because of a scarcity of upscale resorts in the area.
That’s about to change because Keys Resorts – a mid-segment resort brand of Berggruen Hotels – have recently launched its first five-star luxury property, The Pratap Palace near Ajmer. Sitting under the shadow of the rugged Aravalli Mountains, The Pratap Palace is located equidistant between Ajmer and Pushkar, making it easier for a tourist to cover both the destination while staying away from the milling crowds. The resort is a two-storey sandstone structure constructed in Rajputana palace style with domes, arches and jharokhas (enclosed balconies typical of Rajasthani architecture). The lobby is marked with a massive wall installation made of marble with gold-leaf work.
There are three suites and 80 guest rooms, each with its own balcony that either overlooks the shadowy Aravallis all around or the verdant gardens, courtyard, and the swimming pool. The rooms come with standard facilities – telephones, WiFi, flat-screen TV, well-appointed bathroom, electronic safe etc. There’s a jhoola instead of a couch in every room – a touch to reinforce the Rajasthani sensibilities – but it could prove to be a bit tedious after a while. Other facilities include a 5500 square feet Hari Daya Banquet Hall with an enormous 40 feet high wooden door and ample parking space; business centres and two conference halls. There’s an all-day multi-cuisine restaurant on the ground floor. Parts of the hotel are still under-construction: there’s a soon-to-be functional gymnasium and sauna/steam room and a still-unnamed contemporary Indian cuisine restaurant on the first floor.
A lack of aesthetic clarity notwithstanding —lots of white-and-grey marble, mismatched furniture – The Pratap Palace is value of money. Middle-class holidaymakers, stay at The Pratap Palace: you’ll get your money’s worth.
Info: 0145-2970201/202; reservations.thepratappalace@keyshotels.com
Basu and The Bees 