In the heart of Jodhpur, where sandstone facades glow under the desert sun and stories linger in every courtyard, Ajit Bhawan continues to stand as a living chapter of Rajasthan’s regal past. Nitin Sud, Cluster General Manager, Ajit Bhawan & Rawla Narlai shares a glimpse into the royal luxury hospitality.
Tripti Jain
Tucked away in the blue city of Jodhpur, the heritage hotel carries the charm of an old royal residence that has gracefully opened itself to travellers from around the world. The property began its journey in 1971 with just five rooms inside the palace premises. Over the years, it evolved into one of Rajasthan’s most recognised heritage stays, growing steadily without losing the warmth and soul that made it special in the first place.
Together with Rawla Narlai, the group today presents two very different sides of Rajasthan. One celebrates the grandeur and colour of royal Jodhpur, while the other slows life down amidst village landscapes, temple bells, and the calm of the Aravalli hills.
The legacy lives on
Long before heritage hospitality became a luxury trend in India, Ajit Bhawan had already opened its doors to travellers looking for a more personal and cultural experience. Speaking on the same lines Nitin shares, “The idea behind Ajit Bhawan was always deeply personal. The family wanted guests to experience the warmth and grace of royal hospitality in a way that felt natural and intimate. What started with five rooms slowly became a much larger hospitality brand, though the essence of the place has remained untouched. Guests still walk into an atmosphere that feels warm, welcoming, and emotionally connected to the family’s history and legacy.”
The hotel’s architecture beautifully preserves its original character. Spacious suites filled with vintage accents, lush gardens, old stone pathways, and charming courtyards create an atmosphere that feels elegant without trying too hard.
Luxury that feels personal
Luxury travellers today are looking beyond polished rooms and extravagant interiors. They seek experiences that feel authentic and emotionally meaningful.
“Guests want to connect with destinations on a deeper level. They are looking for stories, culture, emotions, and moments that stay with them long after the trip ends. Ajit Bhawan naturally fits into this new way of travelling because the property has always focused on human connections and personalised hospitality rather than simply offering luxury in the conventional sense,” says Nitin.
International travellers continue to form a strong part of the guest mix, especially from Europe and the United States. Domestic luxury travel has also grown significantly over the last few years, particularly in the wedding and celebrations segment.
He adds, “Destination weddings have become an important part of our business over the years. We host around 14 to 17 weddings annually, primarily between October and March. Guests usually prefer complete buyouts because they want privacy and exclusivity during such intimate celebrations. The beauty of the property lies in how naturally it transforms into a royal wedding setting with candlelit courtyards, heritage architecture, local music, and traditional Rajasthani experiences.”
The quiet magic of Rawla Narlai
If Ajit Bhawan captures the spirit of royal Rajasthan, Rawla Narlai introduces travellers to its quieter and more soulful side. Set amidst the Aravalli hills, the property was once a hunting lodge and today stands as one of Rajasthan’s most immersive experiential stays. Life moves slowly here. Mornings begin with temple bells. Afternoons unfold under ancient banyan trees. Evenings glow softly beside stepwells lit with hundreds of candles.
Highlighting more about the property Nitin shares, “Rawla Narlai is a completely different experience altogether. The property allows travellers to disconnect from routine life and reconnect with nature, culture, and simplicity. Guests wake up to the sound of temple bells, spend time exploring villages and temples, dine beside lakes or stepwells, and experience Rajasthan in a very peaceful and authentic way.”
The surrounding region is home to more than 300 temples, adding a spiritual energy to the destination. Experiences such as village walks, leopard safaris, stepwell dinners, local interactions, and traditional cooking sessions allow guests to discover Rajasthan in a deeply personal way.
Furthermore, he shares about the most popular experience at the property and says, “We illuminate sections of the property with thousands of candles, and the atmosphere becomes incredibly magical in the evenings. Guests often tell us that the experience feels timeless because there is a certain stillness and beauty around the property once the candles are lit.”
Keeping heritage alive
Across Rajasthan, many heritage families are finding meaningful ways to preserve their ancestral homes through hospitality. Ajit Bhawan and Rawla Narlai remain deeply committed to that philosophy. The group actively supports local communities through employment and social initiatives. A large part of the staff comes from nearby villages and towns, creating a hospitality environment that feels naturally warm and rooted in local culture.
Nitin elaborates, “Nearly 80 to 85 percent of our workforce comes from local communities, and that has always been a very conscious decision by the family. Local people bring authenticity into the guest experience because this culture is naturally a part of who they are. Guests connect very differently when they interact with people who genuinely belong to the region and understand its traditions, stories, and way of life.”
The family’s community initiatives through the Maharaj Swaroop Singh Ji Charitable Trust continue to support healthcare, sanitation, village development, schools, and other local welfare activities. Sustainability also reflects through smaller everyday practices across the properties. Kitchen gardens, local sourcing, reduced dependency on processed procurement, and community engagement quietly shape the operational philosophy.
Taking Rajasthan to the world
Ajit Bhawan is now entering a new phase of global visibility with a stronger focus on international collaborations and luxury travel partnerships.
Nitin shares about the future plans of the group and explains, “Our vision is to strengthen our presence in the international luxury travel space while continuing to preserve the individuality of the properties. We are participating in carefully selected global trade platforms and exploring partnerships that align with our philosophy of experiential and heritage-led luxury. The idea is to introduce Ajit Bhawan and Rawla Narlai to travellers who truly value authenticity and meaningful hospitality experiences.”
