Six Senses Fort Barwara

I considered it but decided it only makes sense if you're also doing a Ranthambore stop nearby.

With only three or four nights available, I skipped it since I wasn't planning to visit Ranthambore National Park on this trip. It's a nice contrast to tented camps if you're already in the area, but if a full palace experience is the priority, there are stronger options in the region.

The pool and the calm of the place hit me the moment we arrived — it set the tone for the whole trip.

Everything about the property blends heritage charm with a genuinely modern sense of luxury. Prachi, our GEM, anticipated things before we even asked and made sure we felt cared for the entire stay. We're already planning our return.

The little touches got me — my husband's face when he saw the birthday cake at dinner made the whole trip.

The whole team made our stay feel joyful and cared for from start to finish. Our GEM and even a front office trainee went out of their way to make things special. It's the kind of place where you leave planning your next visit.

It's the kind of weekend where the little cultural touches, like the village walk and temple visit, stuck with me more than the room did.

Prachi took care of us at every step, and Nilesh arranged a lovely temple visit and village walk. I loved the library and even got a book gifted by Mr. Rai personally. The Earth Lab concept for sustainable living was a nice surprise, and the spa and kids' zone were unforgettable.

The dining and spa teams here felt like they'd choreographed the whole thing just for us.

Sandeep, Dinkar, Rini, and Ayush made every meal feel personal and warm, and the spa with Punam, Moniu, and Manisha was deeply relaxing. Our GEM Kasim and Mr. Chakshu went above and beyond throughout. The property is stunning, but it's genuinely the people who elevated the whole stay.

Every department, from guest relations to the kitchen, felt perfectly coordinated during our family holiday.

Sarika in Guest Relations, Srijal and Sandeep in F&B, and Chef Rakesh all went above and beyond to make service feel personal rather than transactional. The coordination between departments stood out compared to other luxury properties we've visited. We'd highly recommend this for a family trip.

We stopped in just for lunch on our way to Jaipur, and my husband's curry was the best we'd had anywhere on a six-country trip.

They don't usually let non-hotel guests visit, but our travel agent got us in, and I'm glad they did. The salads were incredibly fresh, exactly what I needed after weeks on the road, and the way they've blended the old fort with modern luxury is brilliant. We'll be back to actually stay next time.

“The way they've integrated the old fort with modern luxury is absolutely brilliant”in their words

The signature laal maans didn't taste like anything I've had elsewhere in Rajasthan, which was a letdown given how excited I was to try it here.

The property itself is beautiful and clearly well-maintained, but the food was a consistent weak point during our stay. Room service took an hour even when pre-ordered, and dishes at the restaurant took 45 minutes to arrive. It felt like the kitchen just didn't have enough hands for a property at this level.

This place is all show and no substance — the AC alone made me question the price we paid.

We stayed two days with family and friends and it was honestly a mess. The food was just okay despite the premium pricing, and the AC barely functioned, which is a real problem given the summer heat. Staffing felt thin and indifferent to what we needed.

“The AC barely functions — good luck surviving summer here”in their words

I was struck by how thoughtfully this old fort has been restored into something that still feels grand today.

From the moment I arrived, the restoration work impressed me — the mix of the fort's history with modern comfort made the stay feel genuinely special. My room was large and beautifully decorated with a private terrace and peaceful views. It's the kind of place where the setting alone does most of the talking.

Of everywhere I've traveled for burnout recovery, this is one of the very few places I actually felt completely at peace.

I stayed here alongside Aman-i-Khas and Amanbagh on the same India trip, and this is one of the two I'd genuinely recommend for real relaxation. It's less a spa-and-tea kind of retreat and more of a spiritual reset — the kind of place that shifts something in you rather than just pampering you.

I booked this skeptically after reading mixed reviews, but it turned my husband's birthday into something we'll remember for years.

Sarika, our GEM, sorted everything down to the cake flavor, decor, and card, and even made sure our 4:30am safari refreshments were loaded despite using an external vehicle. Lokendra, who we'd actually met years earlier at a different property in Udaipur, remembered our tastes and curated every meal around them. Housekeeping was flawless every time we stepped out, and the sustainability touches throughout felt genuine rather than performative. My only real note is the distance from Ranthambore Park if you're doing multiple safaris.

“Every single one of them got their A game to work everyday”in their words

We booked this last-minute after our original trip fell apart, and it ended up being one of the best family holidays we've ever had.

The property sits dramatically on a hill above a small Rajasthan town, and even our entry-level Sanctuary Suite comfortably fit our family of four for a full week. The Rajasthani cuisine was excellent, the spa treatments were beautiful, and the kids' club let us actually relax while our children were looked after. Our GEM Bhawna and the entire staff were faultless — the only minor note was the gym could use more free weight options, and we didn't spot tigers on our Ranthambore excursion despite it being a wonderful day out.

“The highlight of the stay, however, was definitely the staff. They were faultless in every way”in their words

The candlelit dinner by the pool with Rajwardhan and the team was hands down one of the most beautiful meals I've had.

Rajwardhan coordinated our whole stay, Anushka took care of us at the restaurant, and Manisha's spa treatment was excellent. Every cuisine we tried was outstanding, and the housekeeping team was consistently polite and helpful. It felt like everyone on staff genuinely wanted us there.

“The candle light dinner near the pool with great ambience was very beautiful”in their words

Arriving here genuinely feels like stepping back in time while somehow still having every modern comfort you'd want.

Getting there takes some effort via Delhi or Jaipur airport, but the moment you arrive it's worth it. Our GEM Rajwardhan made sure every moment felt smooth and memorable, and the mix of included activities like pottery and earth lab alongside chargeable extras like the safari gave us plenty to do. The spa sessions left me genuinely more relaxed than I've felt in a long time.

I was there filming a wedding and had a genuinely upsetting run-in with a food and beverage manager that soured an otherwise good stay.

The property and ambiance were great throughout our work trip, but during one dinner a manager named Swayam approached me while I was holding my plate and demanded, in a rude tone, that I put it down — even though I was a registered guest. He kept arguing and was completely unprofessional about it. I'd genuinely love to come back, but not if staff behavior like this continues.

The bones of this place are gorgeous, but I brought village relatives who felt genuinely lost with the menu, and dining left something to be desired.

The architecture, corridors, and gardens are beautiful and tranquil, and our rooms were exceptionally spacious. But the bathtub water wasn't hot enough at night, breakfast felt modest for a luxury property, and service occasionally lacked coordination and caused delays. My extended family, new to a property of this scale, could have used more warmth and guidance navigating the dishes.

“the property has considerable potential and is truly impressive in many aspects”in their words

We stayed here for our honeymoon and it turned into the kind of stay that makes you want to go back to India just for this hotel.

Our GEM Priyanka was always three steps ahead, responsive and detail-oriented with everything we needed. Every staff member was attentive and eager to share cultural and historical context, which added real depth to the stay. The chef kept encouraging us to try new dishes made fresh, and the range of healthy options was a nice surprise.

“I would come back to India just to stay here”in their words

We came for a babymoon expecting a five-star bubble, but the service and dining were noticeably below the price tag.

We were interrupted repeatedly during dinner by different waiters clearly angling for tips, and the single restaurant leaned heavily on buffet food that underwhelmed outside the Indian dishes. The spa tried pushing us into inflated package deals that cost more than booking treatments individually. The rooms themselves were huge and gorgeous, but I'd put the service several steps behind Taj or Oberoi in this region.

“the service is several steps below Taj or Oberoi”in their words