The eco-chic hospitality brand’s first Indian outpost offers up a balance of historical charm and contemporary creature comforts.
Alfresco lounge seating at Six Senses Fort Barwara. (All photos courtesy of Six Senses)
Rajasthan’s newest palatial lodgings, the much-awaited Six Senses Fort Barwara, officially opened its doors today. Located a 30-minute drive from Ranthambore National Park (and 2.5 hours from Jaipur Airport), the rural retreat provides a suitably regal base for a post-pandemic immersion in the culture and heritage of the region. Prithviraj Singh — a member of Barwara’s eminent noble family — teamed up with real estate developer Espire Group to realize the project; it took more than a decade to sensitively transform the 14th-century fortress into a 48-suite resort. Panika, an Ahmedabad-based practice led by the late Nimish Patel and Parul Zaveri, oversaw the architectural design, while a team of conservation experts was brought on board to retain the traditional gardens and water features.
Measuring in at 2.2 hectares, Six Senses Fort Barwara incorporates two palaces and temples enclosed within its thick stone walls. Suites in the East Wing overlook the countryside and those in the West Wing offer views to Barwara village and beyond. Ranging from 70 square meters to 280 square meters, each suite was designed in a contemporary local style to complement the fort’s architecture. Handmade mattresses, cotton bedding, and extra sleep amenities to ensure a good night’s rest, while the spacious bathrooms come with a deep soaking tub and an outdoor shower.
The bedroom of a Sanctuary suite at the resort.
All suites feature a private rooftop terrace.
A highlight is the 2,800-square-meter Six Senses Spa, which offers a diverse menu of signature massages, Ayurvedic treatments, facials, mindfulness practices, and personalized wellness programs. Also part of the facility is a fitness center and the Alchemy Bar — a Six Senses staple where indigenous essential oils, muds, clays, gels, and vegetable oils are blended to create a signature range of scrubs.
Roohani, the resort’s flagship restaurant, showcases local produce from the in-house organic garden and farms around the nearby village. Guests can expect Rajasthani-inspired sustainable cuisine with Indian elements and flavors, in line with Six Senses’ philosophy of healthy, clean eating. Other options include all-day dining venue The Cortile, which offers a range of international fare, and the poolside Rani Bagh for light bites.
As expected of an eco-conscious brand, Six Senses Fort Barwara has its own reverse osmosis plant to produce top-quality still and sparkling mineralized water, made available to guests in reusable glass bottles. The resort’s landscaping team is also involved in the ongoing restoration of the adjacent Barwara Lake, removing invasive plant species that lower the water table and reintroducing endemic flora. In tandem with this program, the resort works with the community on water management to provide Barwara village with easy access to fresh water.
Doubles from US$1,003; sixsenses.com
The main facade of Six Senses Fort Barwara.
