Back in March 2014 when we were a couple, Daraius and I flew to India as part of an around-the-world trip for my parents. During our journey, we visited India, the Maldives, and Hong Kong.
We took a 4-day trip to Jaipur, a city in the Northern part of India called Rajasthan. I really like Rajasthan for its historic palaces, extraordinary forts, and excellent shopping. And we even took a picturesque elephant ride! It’s different than anywhere else I’ve traveled, and that’s why I liked it so much!
This series of posts will cover the logistics of getting to Jaipur, the hotel we stayed in, the activities we did, and restaurants we visited.
Jet Set to Jaipur Trip Report Index:
- Part 1 – Planning and Introduction
- Part 2 – Getting to Jaipur, India
- Part 3 – ITC Rajputana Hotel Overview
- Part 4 – ITC Rajputana Hotel Room
- Part 5 – Activities in Jaipur – Amber Fort and Elephant Ride
- Part 6 – Activities in Jaipur – City Palace and Jaigarh Fort
- Part 7 – Shopping in Jaipur and the Hunt for Lacquer Jewelry
- Part 8 – Eating in Jaipur
- Part 9 – Conclusion & Blog Giveaway
ITC Rajputana Hotel (A Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel)
Daraius booked us at the ITC Rajputana, which is a Starwood Luxury Collection hotel. It’s a Starwood category 1, which means it only costs 3,000 Starwood points per night (2,000 Starwood points on weekends).
When we stayed, it was a Starwood category 2 hotel. So we paid 4,000 Starwood points per night (still a bargain!).
Paid standard rooms here normally cost ~$130 per night, so this was a terrific deal!
We used Starwood points earned from our American Express Starwood Preferred Guest personal and small business cards. Here’s my series on how to earn (and use) Starwood points!
There are lots of other chain hotels in Jaipur where you can stay using points, including Club Carlson, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, Starwood, and Wyndham hotels, including:
- Hilton Jaipur (20,000 Hilton points per night)
- Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre (15,000 IHG points per night)
- Jaipur Marriott Hotel (15,000 Marriott points per night)
- Radisson Blu Jaipur (15,000 Club Carlson points per night)
The hotel was made of brick and seemed like it may have been an old warehouse or factory.
Outside of the hotel was a street with not much else.
But the hotel was close enough to the major sites.
We put our belongings through the metal detector (common at hotels in India).
And then entered the lobby.
The lobby was very pretty and featured a gorgeous staircase with carved railings.
The staircase had beautiful traditional carvings that are very common in India.
In the center of the lobby was a fountain with rose petals.
My favorite part of the lobby were the lanterns that hung from the ceiling.
There was a lot of comfortable seating.
I liked the pretty colors of the furniture.
Several counters welcomed guests to check in.
There was a Starwood Preferred Guest counter, too!
The view of the lobby from the staircase was very pretty.
We were so happy Daraius picked this hotel for us!
The hotel lobby also had traditional paintings.
The main lobby also had a bar, and restaurants nearby. The bar looked very classy!
The hotel had a beautiful inner courtyard that made you feel like you weren’t in India!
There was a big swimming pool.
After a full day of sightseeing, my mom and I decided to go for a swim. There was an adult and kiddie pool.
It was relaxing to sit by the pool, chat, and read magazines!
The sun wasn’t too strong since it was later in the day.
There were some unusual flowers in the gardens.
The hotel had a highly-rated restaurant called Peshawri, a spa, a shopping arcade, and a game center.
The architecture and landscaping made the hotel very elegant and comfortable.
There was an indoor / outdoor bar where you could order drinks and relax.
The outdoor beds looked relaxing.
The shops at the hotel were small and expensive, so I would not recommend going.
Bottom Line
The ITC Rajputana (a Starwood Luxury Collection hotel) was a comfortable and classy place to stay during our trip to Jaipur. It was in a good location, had excellent sleeping rooms, and a pool, spa, and 2 delicious restaurants to enjoy!
We used 4,000 Starwood points per night for a standard room, but the price has since gone down to 3,000 Starwood points per night. It’s a terrific deal!
If you prefer other chains, there are also Club Carlson, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, and Wyndham hotels in Jaipur.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at the rooms!