Jaipir Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Drink, Stay and Play

With Rajasthan known as the Land of the Kings, it is fitting that its capital city is the jewel in the crown of the country – grand palaces, glamorous hotels, blush-pink architecture and all.

There are few places on Earth that exist somewhere between reality and reverie – Jaipur is one of those places. The Rajasthan capital is India in its purest form.

Getting there

Air India flies direct from Sydney and Melbourne to Delhi; Jaipur is a five-hour drive from the capital, so be sure to arrange an experienced driver through a reputable travel agency or hotel. Alternatively, catch a connecting flight to Jaipur International Airport.

Staying there

The SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace

The SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace wouldn’t be out of place in a Wes Anderson film with its pastel colour palette, Art Deco furniture, whimsical wallpaper and eye-catching symmetry. This historic hotel is one of Rajasthan’s most treasured palaces, and in recent years the royal family has commissioned an extravagant restoration.

Breakfast is served in the bright and playful dining room 51 Shades of Pink at SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace

Samode Haveli

This rambling, centuries-old mansion was once home to the aristocratic rulers of Samode. Today, the haveli is decorated with plush fabrics, Kashmiri-style rugs, hand-painted frescoes and historic artefacts. It’s perfect for independent travellers looking for an authentic experience.

Eating there

Caffé Palladio

It’s Rajasthani-meets-Sicilian style in this gorgeous apricot-hued salon hidden away in the heart of Jaipur. The Mediterranean- and Middle Eastern-inspired menu is refreshing after a few weeks in India. Treat yourself to a slice of the almond and rosewater cake.

1135 AD

For a royal feast of Rajasthani flavours, this theatrical restaurant in the swoon-worthy setting of Amber Fort is an absolute must.

Pandit Kulfi

Pop into this neighbourhood shop for Indian ice-cream made from milk, crushed almonds and cashews, sugar and cinnamon. Heavenly on a hot day.

Drinking there

Rambagh Palace

The verandah of this former hunting lodge and royal residence is the perfect place to sip G&Ts on a balmy evening. The five-star hotel is every bit as magical as one might expect. tajhotels.com

Bar Palladio

Frequented by jet-setting Jaipurites and well-heeled ex-pats, this hip bar owned by Swiss-Italian Barbara Miolini is tucked away in the grounds of the Narain Niwas Palace Hotel. Stop by for an aperitivo.

Shopping there

Gem Palace

Formerly court jewellers to the Mughals, for generations the Kasliwal family have been at the forefront of India’s illustrious gemstone industry. Nowadays their family-run store is a treasure-trove for tourists.

Hot Pink

This chic concept store stocks a collection of Indian fashion produced by some of the country’s finest designers. Peruse the racks of silk tunics, patterned dresses and a rainbow of soft linen shirts.

Anantaya Decor

The design duo behind Anantaya Decor collaborate with skilled Rajasthani artisans resulting in Jaipur’s most discerning home decor store.

The intricate Ganesh Pol (or Ganesh Gate) at Amber Fort

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What to do

Watch the latest Bollywood blockbuster

Book a ticket to watch a Bollywood film at one of India’s most celebrated cinemas, the 1970s-era Raj Mandir Theatre. It makes for an exciting night out and whilst you might not understand Hindi, the simple plots, over-the-top-action and dancing make it fun to follow along.

Appreciate ancient astronomy

Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed astronomical observation site built by Jai Singh in the early 1700s. Hire a guide to explain the instruments used by astrologers to observe celestial positions with the naked eye. Don’t miss the world’s largest sundial made entirely out of stone.

Wonder at the Palace of the Winds

The 18th-century Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), with its intricate, lace-like facade carved from pink sandstone, was designed to allow the ladies of the royal court to discreetly observe the street scenes below. The five-storey structure has 953 honeycomb-shaped windows, encouraging a gentle breeze to flow through the palace. The striking edifice is best viewed from the rooftop cafes across the street.

Be a spectator of the ‘sport of kings’

Whilst the rest of India goes crazy for cricket, in Jaipur they have a passion for polo and the city is one of the premier polo-playing destinations in the world. During polo season from October to February, guests at SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace are invited to view matches from an exclusive box at the grounds.

Take a leopard safari

The sizeable forest reserve of Jhalana Leopard Reserve feels a world away from Jaipur. The protected safari park shelters a population of Indian leopards, with safaris run daily from Samode Haveli.

Try your hand at traditional textiles

The Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, dedicated to the art of block printing, is located in a handsomely restored haveli in the shadow of Amber Fort. For an in-depth look into this age-old tradition check out the daily block printing and block carving exhibitions, you can even print your own scarf or t-shirt.

A worker takes a break at Jaipur’s Amber Fort

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

The complete guide to Jaipur, India