Some things are worth waiting for, even if they have been a decade in the making. Raffles Udaipur lives up to this maxim. Though scheduled to open in 2020, 10 years after it was first announced, the pandemic further postponed the brand’s debut in the country.
Designed by British architect Clive Gray of Bangkok’s Randolph Gray Design, who is also the creative mastermind behind Fairmont Jaipur, the hotel looks like an English countryside manor that became acquainted with Rajasthani royalty. It has 101 lake-facing rooms and suites with private pools, and a 1,100 square meter spa, and Raffles’ signature Long Bar and Writers Bar, besides a farm-to-table restaurant, ballroom, and banquet hall.
Over the past few weeks, Abhishek Sharma, General Manager of Raffles Udaipur spent several hours immersing himself in the brand’s ethos and cultural values. He is confident it will become the go-to destination for the influential and intellectual community across India and will serve as a beacon for a plethora of projects.
Why domestic guests, you wonder? Well, not too long ago, most luxury hotels were dependent on foreign travellers. However, they are now attracting domestic travellers who have experienced luxury globally and are willing to pay for it. Sharma tells Vinita Bhatia how post-pandemic travellers want to experience peace and serenity and Raffles Udaipur, set on a 21-acre island in the middle of Udai Sagar Lake, will provide the oasis that many seek.
Has the definition of luxury altered since the pandemic struck?
The definition has not only altered, it was been redefined because of the pandemic. With the enhanced perception about wellbeing, luxury is now about experiences, authenticity and sustainability. Conscious living will be the focus of luxury hospitality.
Travellers are looking for meaningful experiences that allow them to develop deeper connections with their loved ones and their environment. Mindful travel is a big trend we can see in luxury hospitality. Experiences that are rooted in responsible travel, which give back to communities and access to nature, are increasingly in demand.
How will Raffles Udaipur reflect the brand’s inherent ethos while reflecting local influences and preferences?
Like every other Raffles in the world, Raffles Udaipur reflects the mood of its location, with a personality that is both intimate and opulent. While the hotel structure is inspired by classical European Palladian architecture, featuring domes, high ceilings and outdoor spaces that are extensive, magnificent and lush.
A walk through the property gives glimpses of the subtle influences of Mughal architecture. Raffles Udaipur is an embodiment of the confluence of two cultures, and this comes alive in its design philosophy. Decorative chhatris and stuccowork are intertwined in spaces, showcasing local Mewari elements like jaali panels and tikri art work.
Besides this, an on-site temple is a great setting for weddings, while lost recipes from the erstwhile royal families of India can be experienced at our specialty restaurant, Sawai Kitchen. The Raffles’ signature ‘Singapore Sling’ has been adapted to ‘Udaipur Sling’, keeping Indian ingredients at its core.
What cohort of travellers will Raffles tap in India, in the short and long term?
Our guests will largely be leisure travellers who are on a constant quest for peace, calm and discovery. Raffles Udaipur will extend the largest ballroom in the city facilitating big meetings, conferences and product launches. The smaller meetings rooms can be used by the corporate groups staying with us for their board meetings. This give us an opportunity to engage with the business segment in addition
to the leisure clientele.
What kind of distinctive services and amenities will the hotel offer to augment a guest’s onsite experience?
Unlike any other hotel in Udaipur, Raffles Udaipur is built like a grand country estate. It promises exclusivity, an unexplored destination and an ultra-luxurious experience on a private island. Our on-site
experience curators and the Raffles butlers ensure that guests have a holistic and immersive stay with us. From our resident wellness guru, Dr. Nitin Bhota, who accompanies guests on a personal quest of self-discovery, to the spice artisan who takes them on a journey of understanding Indian spices, at the artisanal spice wall to the resident Barista and tea sommelier who acquaints them with extensive sessions on coffee making and tea brewing, every experience at Raffles Udaipur is exclusive.
The Writers Bar features a striking floor-to-ceiling library complemented by curated cocktails, including the Udaipur Sling, an Indianised taken on the brand’s inimitable Singapore Sling.
Does that mean that hotels can become ambassadors of the destinations they are located in?
Raffles has always stood for being a place of gathering for the community in the destination it was built in. Historically, and in the modern world, our iconic addresses continue to beckon travellers and authors, nobility and artisan alike. We continue to create spaces within our grounds that showcase the evolution of our address by providing a common ground for the literati, artists, curators of finery and history, all weaving the thread of the original Raffles spirit. In turn, we will offer our venue for exclusive art showings, literary and fashion reveals, plus showcase the magic of the city of lakes through the many artisans that call it home.
Raffles Udaipur is set on a 21-acre island in the middle of Udai Sagar Lake.
In the post-pandemic travel landscape, how can hotels give guests the assurance of comfort, luxury, convenience and safety – all rolled into one? This is especially considering that guests have to deal with constantly changing travel procedures, wear masks and adhere to local safety guidelines, which can take the edge out of a vacation?
We are currently living in an unprecedented time with safety being the need of the hour. Certain experiences may have to be altered or put on a halt but hotels can provide experiences in line with their ethos to assure guests of a memorable trip. Accor has implemented ALLSAFE, a safety and hygiene label developed with, and vetted by, Bureau Veritas. All the group’s hotels are required to adhere to these standards, which represents stringent cleaning standards and operational protocols in the world of hospitality. Raffles Udaipur is also following this global cleanliness and prevention standard while promising a luxurious experience.
Raffles Udaipur attempts to combine a high degree of digital innovation and human interaction at each stage of a guest’s experience.
Luxury hotels always prided themselves on being high touch points, but now have to pivot to low or no touch points. How can they do this without compromising on guest experience?
Revenge travel is in the air. The way forward is high tech coupled with precautionary measures taken, which allows us to continue delighting our guests.
In our location, there are multiple avenues like an afternoon picnic or a trek in the lap of nature that allow our guests an opportunity to spend some time in the outdoors as they rediscover themselves. All our dining spaces also open to expansive outdoor settings, amongst gardens and water bodies creating an opportunity to still have emotional touch points.
How can hotels adopt a more proactive role to ensure their onsite guests are comfortable – be it managing their pre-arrival procedures, helping them plan their itinerary, recommending local places to visit or managing their travel logistics during the stay?
Luxury resorts have evolved tremendously in the past few years and are now already offering a selection of activities showcasing their destinations. The idea of creating personalised itineraries will ultimately depend on one thing –content. This is what will set it apart from the others.Â
Our intention is to help plan an immersive experience from the time a guest think of us, surfs our website, arrives, stay at the hotel and finally departs. We do this by combining a high degree of digital innovation and human interaction at each stage.
Thoughtful, intuitive and discreet, Raffles Butlers are the epitome of refined luxury, providing a myriad of services that save time and elevate the hotel experience. From unpacking and packing your bags to preparing beverages and decorating the guest’s room, these trained professionals are available 24 hours a day to make the stay even more extraordinary. At Raffles, people arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family!
Many economy and midscale hotels are building ‘pick your own adventure’ programmes. Is this something that luxury, upscale and upper-upscale properties can also consider?
The future lies in the idea that each venture must focus on the needs and the desire of the guests. The crisis has changed our outlook and as Lao Tzu said, “Good fortune has its roots in disaster”. Wellness, outdoor activities and healthy cuisine are all returning with a bang to top the lists of all avid travellers. Hence, hotels will have to buck the trend of just rooms, dining and spa.
The more exciting your offer is to your guests, the longer they are likely to stay. Our wellness and sleep programmes combined with a curated selection of nature led experiences will help our guests to stay connected with the surroundings whilst experiencing the highest level of comforts.
