In a quaint district named Pali, nestled beautifully on the banks of the River Bandi, just 35 km from Jodhpur lies Fort Auwa.
Here are 6 reasons to visit this place :
1. The Fort is famous for the 1857 mutiny in Rajasthan that began from Auwa when various Thakurs of Pali region confronted the British. The fort has seen a lifetime of wars, the battle scars still visible in bullet ridden walls; the fort heralds a history 1000 years old.
2. The architecture of the fort is an unusual mix of pre-Mughal traditional Hindu sculpture with Neo-Colonial, Indo-Saracenic style. The old fort is embellished by decorated surfaces, and horseshoe, pointed, and multi-foil arches, spires and minarets in a magnificent manner. Untouched by the pace of modern times, here kids hum latest Hindi songs yet fly kites, women wear long ‘ghunghats’ and swing babies in cloth ‘palnas’, men make potteries to earn a living and villagers bow heads in reverence to greet the royal family.
3. It’s not the Rajasthan you know, its offbeat, its forgotten Rajasthan. You may not find a BMW here, but you will surely get to see the vintage Buick. It’s a place where the relics of 1857 mutiny (first war of independence) are still preserved and the forgotten tale of extreme sacrifice for human freedom by the unsung heroes of the Satyagraha movement in Rajasthan (1643) are still recalled by the locals who take pride in it.
4. The Fort Auwa, stands tall in the rich soil of innocence, sacrifice, valor and reverence called Auwa, a quaint village in Pali district of Rajasthan. With 19 comfortable rooms available to guests as well as a lavish dining area serving authentic mouth watering Rajasthani cuisine, Fort Auwa narrates forgotten tales of the majestic Rajasthan.
5. As you enter the courtyard there is a steeple in the middle and it is surrounded by old historical ruins which give you a fleeting glimpse of times gone by. It offers the discerning traveller an aesthetic peaceful retreat. Create your own memories here, watching the sunrise and sunset on old stone walls; celebrate tranquillity in this land marked by history. It’s a magical fairy tale setting and a near perfect historical destination.
6. There are few interesting places of nearby like the following –
Bangur Museum -It is situated in the Pali city, named after Mr. Bangur, like many other buildings in Pali-Bangur Hospital, Bangur Dharmshala. Many old historical and artistic items like dresses, coins, arms etc. are kept here to attract tourists interested in Rajasthani culture.
Lakhotia Garden – Lakhotia Garden is situated in the heart of Pali city and surrounded by a pond. One beautiful temple of Lord Shiva is also situated in the middle of the garden.
Somnath Mandir – Historical Somnath Mandir is famous for its historical background and Shilpart. This Shiva temple is situated in the middle of the city. It was constructed by King of Gujarat Kumarpal Solanki in 1209 or A.D.1152.
Baoris -There are numerous Baoris (stepwells) in Pali and each has its own unique design and architectural excellence.
Maharana Pratap Smarak – The birthplace of Maharana Pratap, situated near Somnath temple. He was a loyal king and fought for India’s Independence.
Udaipur, the city of Lakes brings forward a beautiful amalgamation of luxury and heritage. The grandeur celebration of royalty is marked with an effervescent style speaking in volumes about style and heritage in each corner of the beautiful city. Here I came along with my daughter to experience royalty at the Shivniwas Palace.
Located in the heart of Udaipur is the Shivniwas Palace, boisterous of its magnificent architecture and legacy that takes you back years ago to the era of Maharana Pratap. The crescent-shaped palace was built in the early 20th century, in the reign of Maharana Fateh Singh (1884-1930), and has been meticulously maintained and preserved.
After a morning flight, we reach Udaipur and were greeted with driver holding a placard. We were whisked off breezing through the highway and having a quick glance at the lakes.
As the cab pulled over, we were greeted with very warmly by the staff. A garland and a chilled glass of fresh juice was the perfect welcome.
The architectural gem with its heritage building still retains some of its original tiling, flooring, carved furniture and ornate ceilings which have been restored during the hotel’s refurbishment. The building itself looks extremely traditional from the outside.
Rooms
There are 19 palace rooms, 8 terrace, 6 royal suites and 3 imperial suites in total, all designed in the arts and crafts style, with dark woods and rich wall colours, along with ornate fabric, regal though imitation art and all beautifully presented and spectacularly pristine clean.
As we enjoyed the heavenly smell of the marigold flower garland, we were escorted to the most luxurious suite ever experienced. The Royal Suite of Shivniwas palace opens up to a well-lit spacious room with windows offering lovely views of the green space.
As we entered the suite, we were surprised to see a chocolate cake with my portrait on it. It was the best surprise ever. The table also had chocolates, fruits. nuts and cookies for us to devour.
As we looked around the Royal Suite, there was luxury oozing in each corner. The period furniture, original miniature paintings and portraits enhanced the wide space of the suite.
The gorgeous bed was swathed in soft white fabrics and super soft pillows to glide into, whilst the walls with their subtle peach tones provided a welcoming warmth blending well with the craftsmanship and colourful display on the walls.
The ceiling with its subtle tones gave a feeling of royalty. The suite was well equipped with luxury amenities like satellite TV, telephone, tea coffee machine and mini bar with inclusive beverages.
I fell in love with the royal window seat overlooking the vast cover of trees where I could imagine sitting for hours. The suite comes with a walk-in wardrobe, a large dressing area where we happily kept our jewellery and make-up. Next to the closet was a huge bathroom clad in mosaic tiles that included a large sink and a shower with luxury toiletries. All the bathroom amenities were from a luxury brand.
There was also a small study with a traditional writing desk complete with hidden technology connections (power points, USB, HMDI etc.) and a notepad. There was a large armoire which housed a mini-bar fridge. There was a good quantity of water provided and this was replenished daily.
Dining
We enjoyed a lavish breakfast buffet at their multi cuisine restaurant – Paantya. The dining room is adorned with original paintings of the Mewar school, gold latticework and crystal chandeliers that add charm and royalty to the dining room. The plush dining chairs, vintage style décor and the soothing vibe of the restaurant whisked us to the British era.
The wide windows of the restaurant open up to a bird’s view of the city. The experience is fantastic as you enjoy the food while taking in the views all around. The breakfast buffet has options for Indian and continental food lovers. One can enjoy crispy waffles topped with cream and honey or simply devour the Indian dishes like dosa, idli or potatoes with puris.
Fresh seasonal juices, dips, cereals and yoghurts are always placed on the table.
Service was attentive, the quality of food was excellent and the chef even came out at one point to check everything.
In terms of the overall ambience of the hotel, this was absolutely spot on as was the service from every single member of staff that we came into contact with. The restaurant was great and so was the pool deck where we enjoyed a lavish candle lit dinner.
The chef prepared a rajwadi thaali (traditional feast in Rajasthan devoured by guests) which had delicious vegetables, curd and salad paired with breads and rice. The thali is a very heavy meal so it’s always better to order for one.
They have a lovely bar named Panera, with its authentic décor of glass inlay work, huge chandeliers and ornate mirrors that offers a wide selection of snacks and drinks. The name ‘Panera’ is derived from Paani or water, and refers to the storehouse for water and liquor in the royal household.
In the premises of the city palace lies the Palki Khaana where we were invited for a gourmet dining experience. This European-style café offers a relaxed and informal ambience. The coffee bar and heritage liqueurs are highly recommended.
After a long walk through The City Palace Museum, we were elated with the luxurious dining experience where the chef crafted some fabulous dishes to satiate the palette. For the amuse bouche we relished some watermelon feta with olives soil and chicken cigar roll with cilantro chilli sauce. The black quinoa salad was something we loved the most. We enjoyed the thyme infused risotto that came with blue tea sauce.
We loved dining at all these places as each time the chef took extra care in preparing delicious meals for us.
Panghat Spa
The spa at Shivniwas palace offers holistic therapies for the mind, body and soul. Their team of experienced therapies are trained well to give a therapeutic massage to guests. The spacious spa room is equipped with a steam and sauna and a shower. The luxurious aromatic oils reverberate the senses whilst the experience whisks you off to an oasis of calm. Soothing music and fragrant oils create a calming experience that reverberates the senses.
Sight seeing and activities
When you stay at the Shivniwas palace, you get an easy access to the city palace along with the guide. You get to visit the palace and witness the most amazing moments of the Mewar family. The rooms, weapons used and the facilities they had during that time was something that is worth experiencing. The palace hotel also arranges special seats to witness the sound and light show.
Boat ride to the Jagmandir palace is another unique experience. Guests are taken to the other property by HRH hotels that boast of luxury and hospitality. A grand welcome at the Jagmandir palace swept us off our feet. A welcome drink by their pleasing staff and a Chandan tikka impressed us at the first sight. We came to experience the spa at Jagmandir palace and loved the experience.
Spa experience at Jagmandir Palace
In homage to the history of the local it is situated in, the spa is surrounded by references to Mewar heritage and culture.The garden area of Jagmandir Palace has marble statues of huge elephants at the entrance that looks spectacular. As I walked towards the garden, I could feel a majestic vibe. Upon entering the lobby of the spa, the spacious lobby exudes a sense of calmness and serenity.
The spa room is a joyous area of utter relaxation accentuated by the dim lighting and luxurious setting of exotic textures and materials such as pearl granite.Switching into the robes and sinking my feet into their soft slippers, I waited for my therapist. I opted for the coconut scrub followed by a potli massage.
She honed in on these areas as she expertly worked her hands, effortlessly resulting in a wonderful feeling of relaxation. Later, she started using the potlis. The Potli Massage is one that can whisk away your aches and pain in a matter of 30 minutes. It is a combination of hot compression “Ayurveda Herbal Compression” (called potli) followed by a luxurious body massage.
I could feel each muscle relaxed and at ease after the therapy. The relaxation further accentuated after the shower that completely took away the tiredness and rejuvenated me.I moved towards the reception area where the therapist offered me herbal tea. This spa is highly recommended if you are looking for a touch of luxury. The service is warm and friendly, and I emerged refreshed, recharged and ready to witness the beauty of the Jagmandir Palace.
I was highly impressed with the Darikhana Restaurant, Picholi Bar and all-day café that overlooks the Lake Pichola and the City Palace. Jagriti, a heritage museum walks you through how the Jagmandir Island Palace was built.
Dinner by the lakeside
An exquisite dining experience was crafted by the team of Jagmandir palace where the chef delighted us with his masterpiece creations. From the starters to the mains, the Indian fare comprised of flavor and delectable taste that went well with the serene calming lakeside. The soft breeze and soulful classical music only elevated our experience at the Jagmandir palace. If you love culture and heritage this place must be visited.
We enjoyed the hospitality at Shivniwas palace and would highly recommend it for their cultural heritage and exquisite world class hospitality. You can contact them here for booking and reservations.
Goa is our favorite vacation getaways. With crystalline waters, hammocks strung between swaying coconut palms on dreamy beaches, drenched in all-year sun, Goa has bounced back after the dreaded pandemic and is welcoming tourists from the entire world with open arms.
First Impressions – Heritage Village Resort and Spa, Goa
The Heritage Village Resort & Spa, about 20-30 minutes’ drive in South Goa, is where one finds solace amidst brand new and contemporary-designed interiors.
This is one of Goa’s finest beach-front resort surrounded by nature and perfect landscaping. Barely few steps from sandy beaches, Heritage Village is home to hundreds of birds perched on coconut trees that are spread in every part of the resort.
The 232 sq. ft. resort is an exclusive, boutique style property perfect for families, corporate and even honeymooners. Upscale accommodation, fully-stocked in-room bar; excellent room service, a fresco all day a la carte restaurant; a colorful bar, high-end spa, a huge pool with a bar – and the best part is they offer activities like biking and guided nature trails to guests. For us, the moment we checked in, we enjoyed every bit of our stay.
With views of landscaped gardens, I felt embraced by the beauty of the resort, away from the crowded part of Goa. The property is very close to the Arossim, so a leisurely walk will actually land you to the clear beach.
With the re-furbishing of this 20 year old property, you can now expect world-class luxury – with all the conveniences that include gourmet dining, premium drinks brands as well as leisure and entertainment. Heritage Village Goa is also ideal if you are planning a luxury romantic break; a family holiday; or a getaway with friends.
The 97 keys Heritage Village makes for an impressive arrival. The tropical palms at the entrance certainly set the tone. Once inside the glistening marble lobby, the 5-star welcome continues – a refreshing coconut water drink, a face towel, and a polite, warm welcome that is quintessentially Goan.
Warm welcome
We headed to our pool facing room; strolling through the landscaped gardens and the pool deck. Immediately we felt enveloped in a relaxed holiday atmosphere.
Rooms are located in a cluster of ground and first floor, all facing the pool. Our room was the on the first floor so we enjoyed the pool view and swaying palm trees.
Our room had the sweetest gesture of warmth and hospitality. The signage mentioned our names and inside a card with welcome note and a bottle of wine added to the personal attention. Soft beds with towel art added to the warm welcome.
The bathroom had luxury amenities, plush towels, and comfy robes, rain shower. Our balcony had the best view we could imagine. We could hear the laughter and music from guests at the swim up bar, surrounded by loungers and watch the palm trees swaying.
Dining
The Heritage Village resort and Spa offers something for everyone with its selection of a la carte dishes at the all day dining restaurant. There are buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but the executive chef prepared some of the most exotic dishes for us to devour.
We specially loved the lobster and the Goan thaali that comprised of multiple dishes paired with rice. Exotic goan flavors tempered with rich spices create an epiphany in the heart that remains there forever.
Entertainment
The resort has extravagant music and dance spectacle, which is also the highlight of the Costa resort’s entertainment program. There is a live music performance happening almost every day. It’s always a delight to listen to soul satisfying numbers while devouring the delicacies prepared by the chef.
Activities
You can never get bored at the resort. There are activities lined up for children and solo travelers like me. The resort has tied up with an e-bike company called b-live, that curates experiential tours for guests.
I enjoyed the cycling tour through beaches, churches and the open fields. The next morning I also experienced a tour with soul travelling – a company for nature lovers. We visited the Chorou river and saw different varieties of birds while on the cruise.
The Resort also organized a fabulous beach picnic for us. We enjoyed tea and biscuits on the beach while gazing at the waves.
Ayurveda spa
The traditional spa at the resort is an experience in itself. Surrounded by herbs and trees, the space is accentuated with the aroma of the natural oils used for the massage. The staff is very courteous and ensures the therapy is well executed.
The rooms are small , but enlivened with soft music, beds laden with seasonal flowers. I enjoyed the 75 minutes long therapy of abhyangam with potli massage. The therapists are well trained in their profession and ensure I enjoyed the massage experience.
Information
The resort is available to book direct through the hotel’s website or through leading travel agents
A spa experience at the Heritage Village is not just a routine massage. Here the experience is phenomenal and memorable. The staff is well trained in hospitality and ensures their guests leave with a satisfactory experience.
The reception is brimming with luxury, so each corner is beautifully created to evoke relaxation for the guests. The wide lounge of Aruna Spa has subtle lights that transform an agitated mind to a relaxed soul. A bowl filled with flowers evokes tranquility and the lingering fragrance evokes a sense of calm.
The soothing music at the spa whisks you to paradise where you are oblivious of the commotion in the world. A Buddha statue at the reception illuminates radiance and makes the ambiance peaceful. As we settle down, the spa manager introduced us to the spa menu. Well equipped with the spa details, she guided us though the different kinds of massages and therapies that the spa offers. They have an exhaustive list of body scrubs, packs and massages. I picked up the aroma therapy while my daughter preferred the Swedish massage.
The ambiance of the Spa has a profound reflection of sanctity and peace. The huge therapy room has two reclining chairs for reflexology. Guests can indulge in a feet pampering session while lying on the reclining chairs. There are four therapy rooms and each room ushers warmth and relaxation.
The Therapy experience
Soft lights and an endearing music enchant me as I walked towards the spa room for my session. The smiling therapist greets me with folded hands and ushers me to the therapy room. As I lie on the massage bed, the therapist takes some amount of oil in her hands. She began by applying oil on the legs in a circular motion very gently.
The massage was a light one with mild pressure being applied in each part of the body. The stiffness is released while pressure is applied accurately. The Body Treatment begins with an invigorating massage that helped in increasing circulation and buff away dull skin while curing my lower back pain that was bothering me since ages. The warm oil soothed my lower back almost instantly.
The gentle massage, calm ambiance and soft music smothered me to a deep sleep. The masseur worked up the magic with her hands in a circular motion that helped me to relax and fall asleep.
I was transcended in a different world. The effect of the light aroma oil was magical and I could feel the pain almost gone. The massage on the other parts was also gentle. Every detail is kept in mind at the Spa to endure relaxation. The 90 minutes massage ended and the result was a supple and softer skin tone that beamed with radiance. I was ushered to the steam room. The steam made the oil seep deep inside the skin and opened up the clogged pores. A shower in the end freshened me up.
My daughter was equally relaxed and refreshed. She preferred a slightly hard massage to elevate the pain in her calves and legs that were caused by extensive travelling.
Her session removed all signs of tiredness and she beamed with satisfaction after the session was over. The spa session ended with a warm green tea that was relaxing and rejuvenating. We came out of the spa with a much contended heart and thanked the spa manager for the rejuvenated experience.
Heritage Village Resort and Spa, Manesar – A Blissful experience
Manesar, the easily accessible and quick getaway from Delhi has quintessential hotels and resorts, but very few form an imprint on the mind.
My stay at the fabulous Heritage Village Resort and Spa was undoubtedly memorable owing to the warm hospitality and warmth ushered by the staff.
With its spacious rooms, suites, and villas, this beautiful property sits on a 13 acre land and offers an idyllic location for people looking for solitude. The resort’s world-class facilities include two fine dining restaurants, a bar, a fabulous pool deck and a Spa.
First Impressions
Heritage Village Resort and Spa takes a step further in welcoming guests. After the necessary covid protocols of sanitization, we were welcomed with a beautiful bouquet of red roses, a warm smile and wet towels to clean our hands.
The lobby
The décor of the resort is at its most beautiful in the majestic lobby, which perfectly frames the views of the landscaped garden through enormous floor-to-ceiling windows. Huge ceilings in a subtle tone encompass the lobby space along with marble walls and floors.
The decor is particularly beautiful in the lobby, a wide open space with an arched ceiling and cool concrete floors. Several murals and paintings are scattered throughout the lobby space and adjoining lounge, adding a contemporary touch to the traditional design. Here, guests can marvel at breathtaking sunset views as they enjoy the stylish surroundings.
Architecture and Design
The Resort is designed by taking cues from the culture, history and geography of the destination. The dazzling architecture has been designed to incorporate the grand façades symbolic of Rajputana architecture. Throughout, there is luxury, space and privacy to ensure ultimate experience is provided to guests. The building’s whitewashed exterior is complemented by minimalist interiors.
The resort is connected with a myriad of pathways, with plenty of shaded areas to relax and soak in the beautiful views.
Accomodation
Scattered throughout the property, Heritage Village Resort and Spa has 154 residential-style rooms and suites that offer a luxurious home-away-from-home experience. Classified as Heritage Superior Rooms, Heritage Premium Rooms and Angan suites, each room offers privacy and luxury to the guests.
We stayed at the Heritage Superior Room. The room overpowers its guests with amazing views of the garden. Our spacious room featured a warm color scheme of natural wood flooring with strokes of burnished bronze. The living room offers a sitting area with two sofas, a writing desk and chair and a beautiful corner with a huge window where we spent most of the time gazing at the beautiful lawn. There was also a comfortable bed for our little furry baby, a bag filled with toys and bowls filled with food and water.
The door leading to the balcony is designed to maximize the views of the garden, fostering an open feeling.
Dining
The resort’s signature restaurant, Jharokha serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their cuisines usually focus on fresh, locally sourced vegetables. Their traditional thaali complete with lentils and vegetables is something worth experiencing.
Traditional local cuisine with a modern twist is offered here. Each morning, Jharokha also serves a lavish breakfast buffet that include an array of fresh fruit in season, baked breads, cheese, yogurts, cereals and muesli, nuts, —mostly organic and locally-sourced.
The other restaurant, Surya Mahal is home to contemporary Japanese and Chinese cuisines, which serves delicious vegetarian dishes as well as a selection of marinated fish and meats, along with salads, vegetable tempura, and spicy, flavorsome small bites.
In the evening, the team also arranged a delectable high tea for us in the central lawn. Complete with macaroons,cakes, muffins and croissants, the high tea was a fantastic experience that simply swept us off our feet.
Breakfast in Bed
We also got an experience of Breakfast in Bed where we indulged in a king size feast of fruits, juices, eggs, sausages and traditional dishes.
Pool Deck
The pool area is set at the heart of the hotel. Surrounded by a deck with comfortable sun loungers and a small space for cultural performances every evening by local performers, it boasts stunning unobstructed views of the beautiful garden.
Activities
The resort has a wide number of activities to keep guests occupied. There are games like badminton, tennis and an adventure zone with paintball. Guests can also enjoy cycling around the property that introduces them to a vast variety of birds.
Entertainment
Heritage Village is perfect for gatherings and get-togethers with friends and families. There are fun sessions of karaoke and tambola every evening where guests can be entertained and mingle amongst themselves.
They also have an interesting butterfly garden. Their dishes are curated from their very own organic garden.
Pet friendly
The best part of the resort is that it is pet friendly. We had a lovely time with our dog as he ran around the open spaces and pampered by the staff. They have trained dog walkers who take great care of pets while guests can enjoy their time. There is a furry garden for pets too with games and activities to keep the furry babies busy.
Wellness
For guests who wish to dedicate their time away to a serious health overhaul, the resort offers one of the most comprehensive wellness space I have come across. Featuring a fabulous design, the spa offers intensive and transformative journey of resetting the body with their signature massages.
The spa offers a full treatment menu, including aromatherapy, Swedish massage, and extravagant scrubs. The spa also features sauna and steam rooms, a stunning relaxation and reflexology area and a superb gym, ensuring guests leave feeling fully recharged. (Detailed review on the spa shall be followed in my next blog).
Conclusion
Breathtaking views, impeccable service and sumptuous décor are the keys to the success of the Heritage Village Resort and Spa.
