Havelis with heart in Rajasthan
Planning a holiday in Rajasthan? It’s so easy to find and book the big chain hotels with their deep discounts, fancy websites, instant confirmations, and pushed by every corner-store travel agent at home.
But delve a little deeper, and you will find a hidden trove of little standalone hotels, mostly owner-operated, with oodles of personality and a large heart. Hotels that not only give you that real Rajasthan experience, but also do it by engaging and giving back to the people who live there.
So here are our pick of socially conscious haveli-turned hotels that will warm the cockles of your heart!
1. Samode Haveli: Jaipur
Charming 200-year old Rajput mansion, turned celebrated heritage hotel in the heart of Old Jaipur in Rajasthan, with beautiful rooms, courtyards and gardens.
How do they support the local community! The family’s strong legacy of social conscience drives tourism revenue to fund the projects of the Samode Charitable Trust – be it schools, hospitals or civic amenities in the villages of Samode.
Prices start from Euro115 per couple per night with breakfast.
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2. Rohetgarh: South of Jodhpur
A luxurious haveli homestay located an hour's drive away from Jodhpur that transports you back in time to its generation - with endless stories about the virility of its Rajput owners.
How do they support the local community! Rohetgarh’s extensive work in responsible water management, rain water harvesting, and laying of pipelines, now feeds adequate water to 30 villages — as the family believe tourism needs their support, more than the other way round.
Prices start from Rs 5,000 per couple per night with breakfast.
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3. Shahpura Bagh: North of Udaipur
Stay at this 18th century bungalow in rural Rajasthan a few hours north of Udaipur, with warm and gracious hosts who introduce you to their home and land and help you reconnect with all that is good around.
How do they support the local community! The legacy of education - with the generous donation of private land and palace buildings to run the district’s first ever schools, and colleges. The current heirs of this legacy are enjoying sustaining these noble practices - and helping them do so is tourism.
Prices start from Rs 5,000 per couple per night including breakfast, walks and trips.
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4. Pal Haveli: Jodhpur
Enjoy a truly royal Rajasthan experience in a stately and sprawling 20 room mansion, in the shadows of the mighty Mehrangarh Fort…with every major sight of Jodhpur visible!
How do they support the local community! Their social responsibility has helped transform lives of many youngsters in the Pal village - giving them good job opportunities like room attending/ waiting. The use of several local artisans and painters has benefited the people. Good medical benefits and retirement plans for loyal staff have earned them a reputation of caring employers.
Prices start from Rs 2,500 per couple per night with one-way transfers.
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5. Kesar Bagh: South-west Rajasthan
Throwback to an indulgent time at this private rural estate and haveli with 10-lavish rooms and stunning views of the forested Aravalli Hills off the beaten track deep in South Western Rajasthan.
How do they support the local community! More than 50% of the staff is from the village, renovation work is carried out by local labour, raw materials purchased from local vendors. A few textile shops have opened near the hotel catering to its guests.
They financially support students who are economically disadvantaged in a girl’s school in the village. Encourage guests to visit and contribute to local village health care and primary education.
Prices start from Rs 7,500 per couple per night.
Read more and make a booking
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