The Luxurious FAIRMONT Hotel at outskirts of the Pink City of Jaipur
The Fairmont Jaipur has hosted the well heeled for the last 2 years, without a pause. Now gearing up for the beautiful dessert winter, it opens the ‘Zarin’ a persian influenced restaurant shortly. It was around a decade ago, that this fantasy palace-style hotel single handedly put a small outskirt of the Pink City on the international map.
The hotel opened in 2012. Initially it was flagging, but a bold decision by its owner, Ratan Sharma, to buck austerity and stick to his guns of not compromising on the luxury quotient, drew the jet set to The Fairmont. Within two years, you would pretty much be guaranteed a sighting of all those who matter in the society, and it becoming ‘the’ destination for MICE and weddings. The sheer size of their convention space of 60,000 sq ft could be converted to an auction room!! Nowadays people of consequence prefer to holiday away from prying eyes amidst luxury, The Fairmont is just that. The hotel has acquired a quiet dignity, it is now the ‘It Girl’, gradually on its way to becoming a ‘Grande Dame’. The hotel is run by the very fine couple Ratan and Jui Sharma, who favour old money – lots of it – over new riche. They continue to innovate, too. They also own the neighboring Le Meridien hotel which is a far cry unfortunately from The Fairmont. The coming months would see new experimental cuisines, a plush spa and villa’s opening on the property.
Location
The Fairmont is in the outskirts of the Pink City of Jaipur, amidst the quiet recesses of Kukas in the heart of the aravali’s, and appears at first sight to consist of just a couple of five star hotels. On second sight there is Amber Fort and some great heritage and history too. The Fairmont is located overlooking the aravali’s like a benign version of the gorgeous Pera Palas Hotel in Sean Connery’s, From Russia with love. Jaipur’s international airport (Sanganer Airport) is a 15km drive along the highway. When you arrive at the airport, a chauffeur will be waiting to whisk you in a BMW, on a fifteen minute drive up to the hotel. Activities at The Fairmont extend to shopping, cycling on the fabulous BMW bikes the hotel possesses, and if you’re lucky like me, a cycling expedition with the very fit and regimented GM Rizwan Shaikh to Amber Fort a good 12km round back and forth, could also be a highlight as it was for me. Then there’s sightseeing and various other activities, and there’s the hotel itself, with a lovely outdoor pool and a separate one for children, a jogging track, an ever-evolving spa and a specialty multi cuisine restaurant, a cigar lounge and a contemporary yet traditional bar, ranging from the high priced to the totally alarm-bells-ringing-on-your-plastic-money fare.
Architecture
The architecture is traditional, very historic with Mughal influences. Inspired by the regions rich and storied heritage, like the gravel at the entrance which has been replicated from what was 500-600 years ago. This was to hear the sound of footsteps when soldiers came. The flower shower when you enter the small door built in the big door, idea was to bow down in respect to the emperor. The Tadlack façade is very elegant and lends a lot of class with its stark look. Architect Clive Gray, has truly created a masterpiece. There is also a ‘Charbagh’ like it is at the Taj Mahal with frangipani trees. A Rang mahal before entering the ‘darbar’ or lobby where a musician plays the santoor to welcome guests. All the detailing and paintings on the wall have been done by local artisans on-site. The furniture comprises of pieces that are finished with camel-bone.
Comfort
The décor is traditional and very rich. My suite, on the gold floor of the lounge floor was a bespoke residence with a classic four poster bed, camel-bone inlaid furniture, lavish bathrooms with the distinct pink city stone bath tubs. The toiletries are Le Labo. The Le Labo Rose 31 amenity line is customized for the hotel and does create a sensuousness upon using, you smell like very subtle rose petals. Overlooking the aravalli’s, the rooms have a mughal styled day beds with intimate details like the companion & confidante of the royalty in the past – the Parrot. The queens used to keep a parrot as a pet in the absence of the king, as legend goes. Also a mascot of The Fairmont, the parrot is seen in various forms all across the property. All the upholstery in my gold suite was made of suede and silk linen.
Food & Beverage
Executive Chef Manpreet Singh Malik, is the best known for his culinary creations, which The Fairmont is gaining popularity for. My lunch at Zoya, the all day dining restaurant was a, as they would say in Persian “khosh maze bood” (it was delicious), a Persian Thali. The menu came in an intricate metal farmaan, paired with a dry Louis Roederer and GM Rizwan Shaikh for company. The Mutton Stew, the Persian Pulao and the Mirchi ka Halwa were outstanding. But it’s the Iranian Haleem I would go back for again and again. Rizwan gave me a very sound reasoning for introducing something off beat like Persian cuisine here, “it is similar to our cuisine and is a dynasty cuisine – was popular during Aurangzeb’s and Akbar’s time and so has the elegance and recall value”. Dinner was laid outside, in the little back garden of Aza the Bar, with mashaals, marigold and fireworks as accessories. This setting made me want to fall in love. Valipolicella Classic Satori Di Verona and a deconstructed ceaser salad complete with a perfect half boiled egg, knifed at the table by Chef Malik, was a great beginning . Their collection of schott zweisel glasses and carafes, add to the luxury element. Flamkuchen like potato lyonnaise pizza and a dolce dessert pizza, highlighted Malik’s genius.
MICE and Wedding Destination
GM Rizwan Shaikh is very optimistic about The Fairmont becoming the next destination for MICE.
“We have a Luxury Quotient” and our aim is to be in the fore front as a luxury convention destination. India is fast becoming a sought after country for MICE, with various properties across offering better than best amenities. Fairmont, definitely takes a lead here in terms of providing custom made luxury apart from other amenities. The sheer amount of space 60,000sq ft. with stuff the best modern day technology can offer, makes it ‘the’ destination for conferences, conventions and weddings amongst other celebrations. Seven meeting rooms, a Grand Ballroom complete with a Grand staircase done up very aesthetically. They plan each event bespoke. Including floating the waterbodies with diyas and flowers and lighting the fountains. This is just the tip of the ice berg, dig deeper and you can have all that you have thought of and much more. The ambience and the destination with excellent service speak for itself.
Service
Shagun Sethi, Director Sales and Marketing of the hotel is hugely responsible for the success of The Fairmont. I have known this lovely girl ever since Fairmont was teething, and Sethi’s hard work and right strategies to market the hotel, have today made it a landmark. Infact the entire staff under the able guidance of GM Rizwan Shaikh, a seasoned Hotelier, and owners Ratan and Jui Sharma‘s generous flamboyance are there to make you feel like royalty. I was a princess.
