Mihir Garh
Castle made of sand
Thar desert dune
Picture a sandcastle on the grandest scale and you're half way to imagining Mihir Garh boutique hotel, a fairytale fortress in Jodhpur's rugged Thar desert. Meaning 'Fort of the Sun', Mihir Garh dazzles with its lavish oversized suites, private plunge pools and pinch-me-quick wildlife encounters.
Facilities
Rooms
Nine suites.
Checkout
10am. Check-in, noon. Both are flexible subject to availability.
More Details
There are two rates: the bed and breakfast rate, which includes daily à la carte breakfast, and a breakfast and dinner rate.
Also
Saddle up for a ride on one of the Singh family's prized Marwari stallions, then slip into Tulsi Spa for a muscle-soothing massage.
Hotel Closed
As the summer months are scorchers here, Mihir Garh closes its doors during May and June.
Free Internet Access
Laundry
Pool
On-Site Restaurant
Room Service
Spa
At the Hotel
Riding stable, gardens, library with books and DVDs, free WiFi throughout. In rooms: flatscreen TV, DVD player, minibar, Mountain Valley toiletries.
Our Favourite Rooms
Co-owner Rashmi Singh has filled the nine luxe suites with bespoke furniture, jewel-bright bolts of fabric, mirror-flecked fireplaces, hand-knotted rugs and curvaceous stone bath tubs. In summer the standout is the ground-floor Alishan Suite, with its private plunge pool and sun-drenched deck. If it's cool, head for a first-floor Shandar Suite, where an outdoor Jacuzzi beckons.
Poolside
The shapely infinity pool – the focal point of this fairytale fort – is surrounded by deep couches and cushioned sunloungers on a slate-tiled terrace. It looks out over 180 degrees of desert-defying grounds flaunting fragrant champar, bougainvillea and improbably lush lawns. Come dusk, the squawks of parading peacocks will soundtrack your swims.
Packing Tips
Breezy cottons, a broad hat and serious shades are a must. Come winter, you'll also need to throw in some layers as temperatures drop dramatically at night. Bring a camera with a decent zoom if you're keen on snapping some wildlife – your iPhone will never do it justice.
Also
Smoking is allowed outside. Pets aren't permitted, so get your animal fix from the stables of mighty Marwari horses, safari-ready camels, wild deer and prancing antelope that call this neighbourhood home.
Children
Kids of all ages are welcome. Beds for under-fives are free. Extra beds for children aged 5-10 can be added for INR1750 (plus tax) a night; for over-10s it’s INR3500 (plus tax) a night.
Gallery
Food & Drink
Top Table
Climb the winding staircase to the rooftop terrace for sunset drinks followed by a private dinner à deux.
Dress Code
Pared-back classics are the way to go. Throw a wrap around your shoulders for mid-winter meals.
Hotel Restaurant
Lamp-lit by night, sun-filled by day, the elegant restaurant is decked out with high-backed rattan chairs, fresh-cut flowers and objets d'art. Chef Bahadur is a dab hand at regional Rajasthani, Indian and European cuisines, and he'll happily create a bespoke menu for you given a few hours' notice. Specialities include raan (spiced-crusted roast lamb), chicken pilaf and gatta, a luscious yoghurt-based curry with chickpea dumplings.
Hotel Bar
Sip on a Kingfisher beer, Indian sauvignon blanc or ice-cold gin and tonic on the poolside terrace while you take in the nightly performance of live folk music.
Last Orders
The kitchen stays open until 11pm; the bar keeps pouring until the last guest heads to bed.
Room Service
Crowd-pleasing Indian and western snacks are available 24 hours a day.
Planes
Touch down at Jodhpur Airport (www.aai.aero/allAirports/jodhpur), 60 kilometres away. Jet Airways (www.jetairways.com) and Air India (https://book.airindia.in) fly in daily from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Udaipur.
Trains
The Jodhpur Railway Station has good rail links with the rest of the country. Visit www.indianrail.gov.in for timetables and fares.
Automobiles
Travel times are lengthy in this neck of the woods. The drive from Delhi will take around nine hours; Jaipur is five hours away. If you want to travel by road, seek out the services of TWX (+91 11 4379 9700; www.travelworldexperiences.com), who can sort out flights and drivers for this and other trips across India.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
Though you may spot the odd bluebill buffalo or prancing antelope, the signature village safari lets you experience life in rural Rajasthan as you visit local Vishnoi and Brahmin communities. While the Bishnoi are all about clean living (all plant and animal life is sacred), the blue-housed Brahmins might invite you to join their opium-drinking ritual. If you're handy with horses, go for a ride on one of the beautiful Marwari stallions. The equestrian programme offers everything from quick morning trots to overnight treks. Or, join the curiously named camel pleasure trip for a jaunt through the dunes. Gourmet guests can take part in the culinary workshop and whip up recipes from family matriarch Thakurani Sahiba Jayendra Kumari, who penned a number of cookbooks on traditional Rajasthani cuisine.
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. .
