Niravi

The garden first

Niravi's own description leads with the garden, and fairly: frangipani, bougainvillea, palms and pines, jasmine, marigold and birds of paradise, with peacocks parading the lawns in the morning light. The hotel sits within the historic Peelwa Gardens in central Jaipur, and was conceived by three sisters who grew up within the walls of the original bungalow — the design brief, in their words, mixes the relaxed vibe of Tangier with the lively spirit of Jaipur, executed by Rajasthani craftsmen and village painters.

Two wings

The Bungalow — the family's original residence, once a guest home — keeps five light-filled rooms on its first floor, with a veranda and butler station spilling onto the lawns below. The Estate wing is the contemporary counterpart: fifteen rooms (ten Estate Deluxe, three Estate Premier with carved jharokha daybeds, and two 625 sq ft Terrace Suites with private lounge terraces) set around a still courtyard of water and trees, all artisan-plastered walls and soft arches.

Water, food, drink

A crystalline pool anchors the central courtyard, steps from every room; a smaller, shallower lounge pool sits beside the gazebo for cooling dips and slow cocktails, and there is an intimate spa. The restaurant carries the legacy of family meals at Bungalow 2, Peelwa Gardens — seasonal, sun-kissed cooking grounded in Rajasthani kitchens, from a Jaipur board of house-made dips and flatbreads to slow-braised Pink City lamb, with kulfi or 'sunshine and sago' after. At the Veranda Bar, poolside or Gazebo Lounge: single-estate teas from Glenburn in Darjeeling and The Wah Estate, house-made kombuchas and craft beers, and a proper gin and tonic.

Where it sits

The hotel says it is five minutes from the Albert Hall Museum, Bar Palladio and Rambagh Palace, and ten from Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Johari Bazaar, C Scheme and MI Road — close enough to Jaipur's riot of colour, far enough to hear the birdsong.