Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas have opened their first resort in Rajasthan, India..
To reinterpret the regal ambiance of a bygone era dating back 700 years, 14th-century Six Senses Fort Barwara has been sensitively transformed into a 48-suite resort, including five specialty suites, in a conservation effort that has taken more than a decade to complete. Celebrating its highly anticipated arrival on October 15, it will offer a resting point during a busy touring itinerary of Rajasthan. It is within easy striking distance of Ranthambore National Park for guests looking to take a walk on the wild side with the local tiger population.
Reinterpreting Royal India
Originally owned by a Rajasthani Royal Family, Six Senses Fort Barwara incorporates two original palaces and two temples within the walled fort. Suites in the East Wing overlook the countryside and those in the West Wing offer views to Barwara village and beyond. Ranging from 753 square feet (70 square meters) to 3,014 square feet (280 square meters), each suite is designed in a contemporary Rajasthani style to complement the historic backdrop of the fort while subtly incorporating state-of-the-art in-room technology along with the groundbreaking Sleep With Six Senses standards. These include handmade mattresses, cotton bedding, and additional sleep amenities to promote a good night’s sleep.
A Sanctuary of Well-Being
At the 30,000 square foot (2,800 square meter) Six Senses Spa and fitness center, guests will discover a menu of signature massages, Ayurvedic treatments, nurturing facials, mindfulness practices, and personalized wellness programs. Indigenous essential oils, muds, clays, gels, and vegetable oils are blended to create an energy-boosting signature range of scrubs at the Alchemy Bar. Using fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients from the garden, the concept behind this offering is to turn ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary as part of a highly personalized experience to address the guests’ needs in the present moment.
Locally Sourced and Inspired Culinary Journeys
Led by Matthew Cropp, the resort’s flagship dining destination, Roohani, showcases the power of local produce from the resort’s organic garden and farms in the nearby village in innovative ways. The overarching theme is Rajasthani-inspired fresh, sustainable cuisine highlighting Indian elements and flavors while embracing the Eat With Six Senses approach, while the medieval domes of the fort add a sense of drama to any occasion.
Guests can meet the sommelier in the Viewing Gallery or enjoy signature cocktails before dinner in the Rajawat Room. The magnificent Barwara Royal Ballroom can be transformed to host weddings and other celebrations, with the resort’s experienced chefs adding a touch of showmanship to the service to make any big day a truly memorable one.
Still and Sparkling Sustainability
The original Barwara Fort was constructed in the 14th century by the Chauhans (Indian Rajput caste). During World War II, Raja Man Singh from the noble family of Barwara along with Jaipur State Armed Forces fought alongside the British. In appreciation of his services, he was bestowed with the title of Rao Bahadur. His grandson, Prithviraj Singh, has restored the fort to its previous glory in tandem with Espire Group. Panika, under the leadership of the late Nimish Patel and Parul Zaveri, led the architectural design. A team of conservation experts including landscape designer Savita Punde and horticulturist Pradeep Kishen was brought on board to retain the traditional gardens and water features, local native flora, and fauna. The landscaping team is also working on Barwara Lake’s restoration project, which will remove invasive species of plants that lower the water table and re-introduce endemic plant species to bring back balance. This, alongside working hand in hand with the community on water management, will allow the water table to rise again and the village will have easy access to fresh water. The energy footprint of importing branded drinking water has been eliminated with the resort having its own reverse osmosis plant to produce top-quality still and sparkling mineralized water, which is provided to guests in reusable glass bottles.
Rates at Six Senses Fort Barwara start from INR 63,168 (approx. £ 612) per night based on two people sharing including breakfast. www.sixsenses.com
