Once in a while, there’s a hotel that makes you dream more than the others… For Pascal Languillon, CEO of Luxe Wellness Club, this has been the case at Six Senses Fort Barwara since it opened in 2021. This 700-year-old marvel of a fort is nestled in the heart of Rajasthan, India. It’s a hotel that evokes the magnificence of a bygone era… Is this place for real? Here’s the story of Pascal’s magical stay at one of the world’s most beautiful hotels.
A tastefully restored historic gem
My drive to Six Senses Fort Barwara came after a day spent contemplating the wonders of Jaipur, Rajasthan’s famous flagship city. The journey takes just under 3 hours and crosses authentic India…. Of course, there are cows in the middle of the road, and a few holes in the pavement, but in a good vehicle, it’s a pleasant ride all in all. The hotel is about four to five hours from the capital, New Delhi.
You feel as if you’re in the middle of nowhere, and then suddenly, rising proudly out of the landscape, you see the Six Senses Fort Barwara… It’s India’s answer to our French city of Carcassonne! After 10 years of work and a spectacular renovation, the Fort evokes a glorious past while embracing contemporary comfort and refinement. The storied walls and sumptuous interiors immediately captured my attention, and my first impression was that of a total and successful immersion in Rajasthani history and culture .
For me, it’s the kind of hotel that brings immediate emotion . It’s like being in a Bollywood movie… Everything is grandiose! The lush gardens, the arched swimming pool, the immaculate relaxation areas… everything invites contemplation and relaxation.
The way in which craftsmen have succeeded in infusing this 14th-century citadel with all the attributes of modern conveniences while preserving its heritage is remarkable. I’ll admit it right away: my favorite part was the spa, because it’s the one most steeped in history, but I’ll talk about that a little further down.
Six Senses Fort Barwara offers guests an authentic immersion in Rajasthani culture. For me, this meant fascinating excursions into the local village, on foot or by bike. I also climbed the steps of a temple right next to the Fort, called the Shri Chauth Mata Temple, which is one of Rajasthan’s most famous temples.
I was surprised to see that the village of Barwara is actually completely adjacent to one side of the Fort. Sensitive souls, brace yourselves! India is a country of extremes: the opulence of the hotel stands in stark contrast to the dilapidated state of the village, but we must look beyond what our wealthy Western eyes perceive, and not fall into self-pity. Indeed, the opening of Six Senses is fully benefiting the development of the local economic fabric, and numerous sustainable development initiatives are underway to help villagers improve their quality of life.
A very photogenic hotel
I spent long hours walking the length and breadth of the fort , observing the detail of the walls, trying to retrace the history of the maharajas… This place is much more than a hotel, it’s an open-air work of art. I have to say that Fort Barwara is as beautiful as I had imagined… It’s certainly one of the most photogenic hotels in the world. Everything is Instagrammable!
The Instagram must-see is undoubtedly the splendid turquoise pool, unless it’s the view of the waterfalls amid the lush gardens…. This hotel offers a feast for the eyes.
What sets Six Senses apart from other brands in India includes service quality. Each guest is assigned a GEM (Guest Experience Maker) who is available 24 hours a day to ensure that their stay is tailored to their wishes, making the experience as pleasant as possible. My GEM was Parveen Kumar, and he was perfect from start to finish. Extremely pleasant, he helped me to enjoy my stay in the best possible way, also organizing excursions for me.
Absolutely sumptuous rooms
The hotel has 48 suites in eight different categories, all featuring elaborate arches and Rajasthani touches. The Fort Suite where I stayed offers a lovely view of the hills. It had the advantage of a beautiful terrace and an outdoor shower. Even the door handles, shaped like hands in a yogic gesture, evoke well-being.
The hotel’s East Wing overlooks the countryside, while the West Wing offers views of the village of Barwara and beyond. Personally, I prefer the east wing where I was… Each unit is designed in a contemporary Rajasthani style, reinterpreting the fort’s rich history with quality mattresses, cotton bedding and all the essentials for a good night’s sleep…
The spacious living room features a desk, TV sofa, minibar and espresso machine. It opens onto a terrace with a swing and comfortable seating…
A four-poster bed adds a touch of yesteryear, while the huge bathroom is equipped with a superb bathtub and shower cubicle. I asked myself: is this the most beautiful bathroom I’ve seen this year? Certainly…. I also appreciated the comfort of an automatic toilet with a heated seat… Japanese style. Unexpected in India!
There’s nothing to say, it’s really great art, and the rooms are breathtakingly beautiful. The only downside, if there is one, is that the windows aren’t very large, and the sun has trouble penetrating the room.
A spa filled with emotion
The spa is located in the Zanana Mahal (the old women’s palace), the oldest part of the fort, and the atmosphere is absolutely unique. It’s my job to see the most beautiful spas in the world, and I have to say that this one was the most moving – the story that emanates from every alcove, every wall. At Six Senses Fort Barwara, well-being is elevated to an art form.
The spa offers Ayurvedic treatment programs, mixed with Western influences (diagnostic machines and biohacking). It uses his own signature range of indigenous essential oils, mud, clays, gels and vegetable oils.
The spa features a number of treatment rooms, a steam room & sauna, a tepidarium and refreshingly calm indoor pools. An aero-yoga pavilion is available for those wishing to experience this unique practice. In addition to the traditional morning open-air yoga class, I also took a facial yoga class.
The day I arrived, I had a consultation with Dr Neeru Jain, Director of Wellness, who spent an hour with me to understand my health and lifestyle, and gave me a check-up. Based on her results, she chose a treatment program for me, including the signature Tiger’s Eye.
Tiger’s eye stone and rose quartz were chosen for this treatment, with an oil infused with geranium, Kashmir lavender and Yang Ylang. Delicious! After the treatment, it was while sipping my herbal tea on a swing and admiring the old works of art on the walls that I realized why this place is like nowhere else.
From soothing massages to purifying rituals, each treatment was an enveloping sensory experience, designed to elevate body and mind to new heights of well-being. The historic setting is so magical that it adds a spiritual dimension to the spa experience.
A symphony of flavors in the kitchen
The cuisine at Six Senses Fort Barwara is a veritable symphony of flavors and textures. I was privileged to enjoy exquisite dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients, highlighting the centuries-old culinary traditions of Rajasthan. Each meal was an ode to gastronomy and the pleasure of the senses.
The main restaurant, called The Cortile, is set in a leafy courtyard and serves international and Indian specialities. I loved starting my day with breakfast here, choosing from many local dishes, not forgetting fresh fruit and fermented vegetables! Dinner at the Cortile is also an experience not to be missed, thanks to the candles and folk music played in the courtyard.
The Rani Bagh restaurant is located by the pool and offers fast casual cuisine prepared in an open kitchen. Here again, what a setting for lunch! I ate light, succulent dishes: chicken with olives and lemon, some grilled meats… It’s also here that delicious ice creams are served to cool off between dips in the pool.
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Our feeling
If you too aspire to the extraordinary, Six Senses Fort Barwara awaits you for a luxurious and unforgettable stay in the heart of Rajasthan. The hotel offers an authentic immersion in the vibrant soul of India, and its spa is one of the finest we’ve seen to date. One of the most striking hotels in the world!
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Rates : From 700 euros per night. Benefit from our expertise in wellness stays and contact us for a personalized quote for Six Senses Fort Barwara, with our exclusive advantages.
Call us for the USA: +1 (646) 980 6652 or for the UK: +44 20 4577 3258 to discuss your holiday plans.
