The fort-palace is just a few hours drive from New Delhi on the edge of Rajasthan. After the road trip you'll be hoping the getaway is worth it - don't worry it is! On the other side of a small village just when you think there could only be more chaos within reach the fort-palace rises out of the landscape - a huge serene reminder of India's amazing history. There are not too many heritage sites like this in the world where you can stay so it's a special experience. If you don't like the room you're given - ask for another one. The first one we were allocated was more suitable to singles or a couple - they were able to change us around. Settle in then get ready to wander - or if it's really hot head straight for the pool and order a drink!

TIPS:  Transport - If you don't already have your own driver and car then there are several agencies to hire from for the weekend. A fixed price for the weekend is your best way to go.
Stairs - It's an old fort palace and there are many stairs and some other potentially unsafe features for children or others who are not so stable on their feet. For some travelers it might be better to wait until the kids are older - or go before they're crawling /walking.
Booking - We went through a travel agent.
Tour - Take a guided tour of the fort-palace.

This is a beautiful place to greet the day. It's so far from the chaos of New Delhi. Breakfast is served on a terrace and indoor restaurant near the main reception. It's buffet style.
Wander around the fort-palace to truly get a feel for how unique it is. There are so many staircases, courtyards, gardens, pavilions, terraces. It's hard to imagine what life was like here in 1464 when the fort-palace was built but it must have been a pretty amazing place even then. I fell in love with the beauty of the detail and went on a photo walk capturing the tiles, the mosaics, the huge Rajasthani-style painted archways.
So after admiring the little things that make this huge fort palace so fascinating the pool is a definite must. You can order french wine to the pool. We did! And don't stop there - you can have a massage and other spa treatments in the rooms below the pool. Stay at the pool for a magical sunset.
Don't miss out on the Saturday night cultural performance. It's fantastic. Traditional music, dancing and you can even join in. I did and it was great fun. You eat so much food in India that by my reckoning it's worth taking every opportunity to earn your next meal or at least work off the last one. Dinner at the fort-palace is also a buffet with local and international dishes.

TIPS:  Dinner- It's at 8:30pm so you might want to have something else on hand for the kids until then.
Food - Take some snacks along. There's no room service as such.

At the fort-palace they do offer other options like a trek to the nearby watchtowers or a camel cart ride in the local village. It was summer and really hot when we stayed and the pool was so wonderful that we made the most of it and spent our last morning there before heading back to New Delhi.
This easy weekend trip from New Delhi is well worthwhile and very relaxing.

TIPS:  Plan to return? - Check out some of the other rooms available for next time. They all vary in price and some are truly magnificent.