India consumes you. There is something undeniably exciting about the allure of magnificent chaos, bustle and colour that denotes more than butterflies at even the first stages of planning. So, to get started and break down the first challenge of where to stay in Jaipur; here is our complete review of Jaipur Haveli.
Finding a great place to stay in India is somewhat like searching for a needle in a haystack. And try as you might, if it’s your first time in this vibrant subcontinent, it’s hard to sift through reviews of booking sites. There is nothing like the confidence of a real, live, person who has actually (yes; that’s us) stayed somewhere great and can recommend and pass on everything you need to know to make your trip in India a great one too.
Read on for our complete review of Jaipur Haveli and why it is a treasure in that haystack and a fab place to stay in Jaipur.
Our review of Jaipur Haveli
- What is a Haveli?
- Choosing Jaipur Haveli
- Getting to Jaipur
- History and restoration
- Rooms
- Food
- Location
- Activities and facilities
- The verdict?
So, what exactly is an Indian Haveli?
Havelis are a traditional style of Indian mansion or large townhouse with inner courtyards. Many of them are found in the Rajasthan region of India. And when it comes to wall decorations, it’s hard to beat an Indian haveli.
A haveli is usually multistorey, organized around two courtyards. Traditionally, the first or outer courtyard was reserved for meetings and trade while the inner courtyard is home to a large extended family.
Historically, haveli were the homes of merchant families and traders. And the different storeys, courtyards and rooms of the Haveli reflect the grandness of these homes with finely painted frescoes and elaborate decorations and murals.
And why stay in a Haveli in India?
Most of the Havelis in India were built more than a century ago and really epitomise the style and grandeur of India’s rich history and culture.
Many original haveli have crumbled away or been replaced by modern structures over time. But some have been restored and converted into hotels or museums.
The experience of staying in a Haveli in India is more than just a place to stay. It is the chance to experience some of the rich culture and history of this incredible subcontinent.
Getting TO Jaipur / Delhi to Jaipur / Agra to Jaipur / Jaisalmer to Jaipur
We took the train from Delhi to Jaipur on our first stay at Jaipur Haveli. But this time we arrived on the overnight train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur.
The Shalimar Express is scheduled to arrive from Jaisalmer into Jaipur at 10:15am. But you know what it’s like with navigating Indian trains. They aren’t always on time.
If you haven’t yet begun to consider travel in India by train, check out our complete guide to train travel in India.
It’s an awesome way to get around India. And particularly for going between Delhi and Jaipur or Jaipur and Agra, the distances are not overwhelming, and it is another fab and very typically Indian experience.
- Read our helpful guide to taking trains in India.
But because the distances between Jaipur and Agra and Jaipur and Delhi aren’t geographically too long. And because the cities are major destinations on the main routes themselves. The roads are also good and transport by bus or driver is possible and easy too.
Choosing a Haveli in Jaipur / Where to stay in Jaipur
Many of the Haveli in India are located in Rajasthan. And there are a select few that have been converted to hotels and accommodation available to foreigners.
It is a bit of a needle in a haystack type scenario looking online to try and find a Haveli to stay in while in India. But we found an absolute gem in the family-owned and run, beautiful Jaipur Haveli.
About Jaipur Haveli / History, family and restorations
Tucked away off the bustling streets of the old pink city of Jaipur, is Haveli Patnawala. This historic haveli is known today as ‘Jaipur Haveli’ and is over 200 years old dating back to 1744 when Jaipur was founded.
Today the Prasad family lives in and hosts Jaipur Haveli with the family having lived in the Haveli for more than five generations since 1921.
The Jaipur Haveli has been extensively renovated as a beautiful, boutique accommodation in Jaipur. But the renovations have not changed the charm of this historic Indian Haveli.
The rooms / Jaipur Haveli
With just 9 rooms, each of the guest rooms at Jaipur Haveli are individual in size, style and design. And the small, boutique size gives the Haveli a traditional and intimate feel.
There are two family rooms and a mixture of double rooms.
- 1 family suite (2 double beds)
- 1 small family suite (1 double bed, 1 single bed)
- 2 rooftop rooms (1 double bed king size)
- 4 deluxe rooms (1 double bed queen size)
- 1 single room
It is hard to do justice to the unique style of the rooms describing the décor and traditional furniture. The rooms are beautifully decorated from the wall frescoes to the style of bed and the hand printed linen in typical Rajasthani design. I know I wouldn’t be the first to state that it feels like staying in an Indian palace!
And more on being honest here. I admit to being a bit of a stickler for bathrooms (especially considering where to stay in India and how to keep safe and healthy). Thus, I can confirm even the bathrooms of the Haveli are worth more than a nod in a fair review.
The bathrooms have been thoughtfully created to make the most of the original spaces of what was once a historic family home. They have been decorated to match the style of the rooms. And – a big AND here – they have deliciously hot showers. Truly. And uber-clean toilets to boot.
The larger rooms include a small seating area and have windows to the inner courtyard as well as outside. And did I mention the sparkling clean bathrooms and what might just be the best shower we’ve found in India?!
The food / Jaipur Haveli
On the ground floor of Jaipur Haveli is the intimate dining area for guests. And on the slim chance the beautiful rooms and décor of the Haveli hasn’t convinced you already; the food is worthy to write home about alone.
It is always a bit of guesswork (and risk) finding a good place to eat while out and about and traveling in India. But we all rate the food at Jaipur Haveli as some of the best we’ve found in India! They serve fresh, homecooked vegetarian meals in typical North Indian and Rajasthan style.
The food is all locally sourced and each day the menu is different. If feels like the perfect balance to be able to relax and truly enjoy the home cooking of the Haveli after a day out exploring Jaipur. And to try some new dishes specific to Jaipur and Rajasthan.
Each time we visit we discover new local dishes we haven’t heard of (and can’t remember the name!). But the food is top notch, and you will be served until you pop.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. And lunch and dinner are available on request.
Definitely, don’t miss the dinner!
Features / Jaipur Haveli
I know I mentioned above (a lot) about the rooms and bathrooms. But another of the standout features of the haveli are the rooftop spaces.
Picture yourself a little worse for wear after a fabulous-but-traveller-intense day of exploring the best things to do in Jaipur. Now it’s time to make the most of the gloriously clean and dainty hot shower and kick back on the haveli rooftop.
It’s set back from the road and away from the (truly) hustle and bustle of the historic city. There are swing chairs and tables to choose from. The rooftop is perfect for taking in the unlikely serenity of kids flying kites from rooftops in the distance. And if a cold Kingfisher is what ticks the box after a great day it’s available too.
Anything is possible in India!
The location / Jaipur Haveli
Staying right in the heart of old Jaipur is a great draw of staying at Jaipur Haveli.
The Haveli is just a short 400-metre walk to the iconic Hawa Mahal and City Palace.
To find the Haveli from the main street you hope that your rickshaw driver is game and knows the reward of the pot of gold glimmering Haveli at the end of the alleyways. It is worth the assault-course like task of getting there.
You wind down some narrow alleys just off the bustling Johari Bazar on the main street. And arrive at the incredible front façade and entrance to the beautiful Jaipur Haveli.
- Address:
1404, Patnawalon ki Haveli
Tarachand Nayab ka Rasta
Johari bazar, Jaipur 302003
?(behind LMB hotel)
From the Haveli it’s easy to organize a day tour or two of Jaipur. And you are in walking distance to some of the key sights of the pink city.
Activities, opportunities and things to do in Jaipur
There is certainly no shortage of things to do in Jaipur. The Haveli is nestled into the old pink city centre of Jaipur and as the capital of Rajasthan there is history and wow-factor quite literally on your doorstep.
- Visit the City Palace that continues to house the former royal family right in the heart of the old city.
- See the iconic (PINK; of course) Hawa Mahal famously known as the Wind Palace for its honeycomb style that gazes onto the busy bazar below.
- Explore Jantar Manar; the royal observatory.
- Climb the stairs of Iswari Minar; the tallest historic building in the old city for fabulous views.
- Take a rickshaw to Amber Fort; disputedly the most magnificent fort of Rajasthan.
- See the colourful Jaipur Flower and Vegetable Market.
There is so much to see in Jaipur within the old city and beyond.
I haven’t even got started on the must-try Lassi at Lassi Walah 312 on M.I. Road. But that is a must in Jaipur!
There is the Central Museum and Albert Hall, the Royal Tombs and Crematorium, the Monkey Temple (if you’re brave/mad), the Mosque of Akbar and stepwells that will have you in Bollywood-awe.
Final thoughts? Our (honest) review of a great stay at Jaipur Haveli
When I think of India and recommending a great place to stay, the beautiful Jaipur Haveli is always a first that comes to mind. The Haveli is more than just a place to stay in Jaipur. But somewhere to experience a generous mixture of family life, culture, cuisine, history and comfort all rolled into one historic home set back off the bazar.
Knowing you have a clean, plush and comfortable room to retreat too after a busy day of embracing the chaos brings a beautiful peace-of-mind that in India, can’t be beat.
Jaipur Haveli is the not the first accommodation we found in Jaipur. But now after discovering what just might be the best place to stay in Jaipur it is the one we return to each time as a family. It is the place we stay with our Group Trips in India. And it is wholeheartedly the accommodation in Jaipur that we can recommend without hesitation.
Thank you, Vikram, and Shubi and your fabulously friendly team at Jaipur Haveli for a(nother) truly great stay in Jaipur.
More about travel planning for India and beyond…
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before riding those trains in India!
Read more from travel in South Asia
- Taking an overnight train in Pakistan from Islamabad to Karachi.
- How to apply for a Pakistan e-Visa: And can you use it at the Wagah Border?
- Crossing the Wagah Border from India to Pakistan.
- Pakistan with kids: A complete guide to travel in Pakistan.
- Money in India: Using ATM’s, withdrawing and carrying your money safely.
- How to use a squat toilet: Everything you didn’t want to ask…
- Our complete packing list for travel in India.
