Kaner Retreat

Style

Floral phenomenon

Setting

Thar she goes

Once you know family-run Kaner Retreat is named after the oleander (AKA the desert rose) the rest clicks into place. It may be set against the torrid sand dunes of Rajasthan's Thar Desert, but botanics abound at this redbrick retreat, where each of the 10 standalone villas has been delicately designed to reflect the distinct characteristics of a native flower. From the handcrafted courtyard kiwads (grand carved doors) that greet your arrival to locally commissioned artworks, woven tapestries and antique furnishings, there’s not an inch of your room that hasn’t been ‘florally’ thought out. Beyond your secluded sanctuary, dining spots are equally scenic; breakfasts are dished up daily in the view-graced glasshouse, lunch is alfresco amid desert trees and dinner is wherever you want it, including dining on the dunes.

Facilities

Rooms

10 villas.

Checkout

1pm. Earliest check-in, 2pm. Both are flexible, subject to availability.

More Details

Rates include a breakfast of fresh fruits, bread made onsite with organic marmalades and jams, and eggs how you like ‘em, all served in the Glasshouse Lounge.

Also

Unfortunately the desert terrain isn’t suitable for those with mobility issues.

Hotel Closed

The retreat opens annually from October to March.

Free Internet Access

Pet Friendly

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

Spa

At the Hotel

Walking trails and free WiFi. In rooms: private courtyard, plug adapters, air-conditioning, tea- and coffee-making kit, free bottled water, and organic bath products. There are no TVs to foster a sense of serenity.

Our Favourite Rooms

All 10 villas have beautiful flowering courtyards, antique furnishings and natural finishes, but the turmeric-hued Hazara Villa is our pick. Here, dark-mahogany shutters open up to flood the spacious villa with natural light, and hand-carved pieces accentuates an otherwise minimalist space.

Poolside

There’s a spacious pool for a relaxing dip.

Spa

Staff can arrange therapies, such as botanical massages or dry cupping, in the two treatment rooms.

Packing Tips

Pack light with flowy linens and comfy cottons, and be sure to leave enough space for any local handicrafts you fall in love with along the way.

Also

The hotel also runs camel safaris, and if you were wondering — yes, you can try camel cheese afterwards.

Children

Little Smiths are very welcome; there’s no kids’ club but camel rides, safaris and bird watching keep them entertained.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Sunset meals amid the arid majesty of the Thar Desert, with flowers and a fire – whether just the two of you, or with fellow guests – are a must.

Dress Code

Work with your floral surroundings – searing yellows for the Rohira flower and pastel pinks for blooming Kaners will blend seamlessly.

Hotel Restaurant

Breakfast is dished-up daily in the Glasshouse Lounge, where its signature redbrick forms grand arches and sweeping views abound. Lunch is served alfresco in the olive groves, or in the Glasshouse, with desert-to-dish menus that change based on what local farmers are growing at the time.

Activities at Kaner all end with a meal, meaning dinners differ depending on your preference and what your day’s schedule has looked like. Botanical walks close with a traditional thali, made with hand-foraged ingredients and served under the desert’s star-studded skies. If you’ve spent the day on the dunes, that’s where you’ll be dining; and those who have been doing Kaner's bespoke clay experience, will have a seven-course lunch in the pottery gallery, concocted by lauded chef Pankaj Sharma.

Hotel Bar

There’s no bar here, drinks are served as you dine (fear not, this retreat serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks).

Last Orders

Breakfast is from 8am to 10.30am; lunch is 1pm to 3pm; afternoon tea is 4.30pm to 6.30pm, and dinner times depend on your day's schedule (typically between 7.30pm and 9.30pm).

Planes

You’ll have to fly into Jodhpur Airport, most international flights will require a layover in Delhi or Mumbai, both with an hour-and-a-half flight time on to Jodhpur. Once you arrive, Kaner is just under two hours’ drive away. The hotel can arrange private transfers from £40 each way.

Trains

For those arriving by rail, the closest train station is in Jodhpur – a little under a two-hour drive away. Private transfers can be organised by the hotel from £40 each way.

Automobiles

If you’d rather a set of wheels, and are willing to give driving in Jodhpur a go, then the hotel has a free car park onsite. Otherwise, hire a driver to do the hard work for you.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Kaner Retreat may be in the middle of the desert, but there’s plenty to fill your days with. Take a guided nature walk through the sacred oran with in-house botanist Sapna (who also hosts a plant-based wellness session that focuses on holistic Ayurvedic rituals), or dive straight in with a treatment, where masseurs use locally sourced olive oil to reset and restore. Visit the local towns; for history-buffs, ancient outpost Osian houses the region's oldest Hindu and Jain temples, and for those wanting to watch local artisans at work, Pokhran is a hub of weaving and pottery workshops. And adventure-seekers may prefer to spend their days paragliding, safari-ing through the desert, off-roading over the dunes, or camel riding. The Kaner Clay experience pairs a tour around its collection of artisan-made cermaics with a seven-course, mod-Indian meal, whipped up by an esteemed chef. It's a wonderful way to dig deeper into the region's creative communities and traditional crafts.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .