MAhout

01/05/2024

13/04/2024

Indian flora.......couldn't resist showing some of the magnificent and extraordinary flowers in bloom in India at this time of year. The Flame of the Forest flourishes in the Arravalli Hills in March.....my favourite sight. Colour, colour, colour....that's India for you. Uplifting and stunning. Flora that makes you smile and stare. Happy days. Will be back soon.

11/04/2024

Indian fauna......not wanting to mentally leave India, here are some of my favourite animal pics....India has it all....including edible Easter bunnies!

09/04/2024

Indian Scenes .............as our Indian Odyssey comes to an end, here are some favourite pics of colourful, memorable, happy, rural moments.

It's been a joy..as always! Thank you India and to all my wonderful friends, colleagues and brilliant team on the ground who make it all happen and who provide such special times.

08/04/2024

Indian Odyssey......our last stop and where better to end for a grand finale than at one of my 'happy places'....Ahilya By The Sea! A truly exquisite place, right on the sea, comprising a collection of beautiful Goan, red laterite villas which are home to 10 stunning rooms and suites. The epitome of a 'boutique hotel' in central Goa. Close to fab beaches, shops, restaurants, historic Goa.... it has it all! Dining al fresco with the waves lapping below; watching the fishing boats come in, and the fish eagles searching for a tasty morsel, is the stuff of dreams. Beautiful artefacts abound, smiling staff look after your every need, superb food, private spaces, views from heaven, gardens and pools....what more do you need. The new rooms and suites are utterly lovely..genius. One of the most sophisticated, peaceful, beautiful stays you can have in Goa.

Thank you to the dream team at Ahilya By The Sea

MAhout

07/04/2024

Indian Odyssey......from north to south Goa.....destination delightful Cabo Serai. Hidden away on a bluff above one of Goa's most beautiful, small beaches, close to Cabo de Rama, the crystal clear water urges you to immerse! Cabo Serai is a charming, rustic, comfy, sustainable eco lodge with superb environmental practices. Just 11 stilted tents and wooden cottages scramble up the hillside and have wonderful views out to sea. Each is spacious, private, and airy and treads very lightly on the planet. A pretty new infinity pool and a cilled out, breezy sitting / bar area, and organic veggie patch, are fab new additions. The food here is yummy...simple, fresh organic and hugely tasty. Glorious sundowner spots, dawn and dusk yoga platforms, lovely village and jungle walks, history, and boat trips down the coast provide plenty to do for the more active. A little gem of a place. This summer it's going in for a bit of a makeover and will emerge shiningly brilliant in October!

Thank you to all at Cabo Serai

MAhout

06/04/2024

THANK YOU JAMIE

05/04/2024

Indian Odyssey......And so we leave the dry, building heat of Rajasthan and head south to the humid fecundity of glorious Goa and exquisite Praya Villas. A collection of 4 bedroom villas just a few paces from the vast expanse of Morjim beach in North Goa, they have been designed, furnished, and decorated to perfection. With an almost Mediterranean feel to them, they are light, spacious, private, pretty, full of stunning artworks and feel appeal, and sublimely comfy.

The hotel cm villa idea works wonderfully as they are fully staffed if you want it but not if you don't....state of the art kitchens in each villa! Brilliant Chef George can create almost any nationality food you want, and it's scrumptious. The brilliant beach bar / restaurant - Barraca- (open to residents only) is the sort of chilled out place you could while away many hours, gazing out to sea.

Praya Villas is THE perfect place for a family holiday or a group of friends' get together. There are very few such perfect Villas in India. Only half an hour from the airport and direct flights to Goa! Start dreaming about your next moment in the sun.

Thank you to the wonderful team at Praya Villas
And to Neesha and Fritz D'Silva -inspired owners

MAhout

04/04/2024

Indian Odyssey......A great day, visiting dear friend Vipul Shah in his Aladdin's Cave of a shop. Ganesh Emporium really is a treasure trove of goodies. Spread over several floors, it is a joy to explore and a one stop shop for anything and everything you could want. Inspired designer Vipul, known for his flagship handbags and visited by the great and the good, has expanded his premises over the years and it's beautiful and exhaustive in its content. He even has a pretty, airy smoking room for those who still puff! Be prepared to spend hours here! Hats off!

Apart from seeking out new lakeside eateries, we also went out to delightful Chunda Shikar Oudi....a gorgeous small lodge on a lake in the forests outside Udaipur. Ideal for the airport, it's a peaceful oasis of calm and a lovely place to stay. 10 beautifully done rooms (2 in a separate building of their own) are light, fresh, soft, spacious and wonderfully comfortable. All have balconies and fab views of the lake or forest. Scrumptious food and run with quiet professionalism and passion by charming wildlife guru CV. A great place for admiring nature, walking, jeep safaris, chilling, or visiting Udaipur.



Chunda Shikar Oudi

MAhout

03/04/2024

Indian Odyssey......Oh the wonders of RAAS Devigarh! It's hard to beat the location, the views, the style and sophistication of this magical palace just 45 mins from Udaipur. Returning to this favourite haunt, seeing the welcoming smiles from long-serving staff, is always a treat and I just love it. It's all about space, light and comfort, discretion and privacy....big beautiful rooms, big beautiful pool, big beautiful building, big beautiful gardens and roof terraces. The club-like bar has to be one of my favourites whilst the dining areas have views of the surrounding hills and village that you want to fly off to. Immaculately run by the glorious RAAS team, who put attention to detail at the forefront, Devigarh is divine. As beautiful by day as it is by night...impossibly romantic! Stay here as a base away from crowded Udaipur, but also to walk in the hills and village, spend time in the dreamy spa, or just do nothing but chill out and relish the place. You are on holiday after all!

Thank you for a magical stay - all the fab team at RAAS Devigarh RAAS

MAhout

02/04/2024

Indian .....Another day on the road, revisiting country palaces and discovering a new dining / art based gem.

Gogunda Palace is a fascinating, restored true Mewari fort-palace with all the intrinsic (bright) colours of the Mewari style. Beautifully but brightly done, it's full of colour, grassy courtyards, rambling wings reached by ancient narrow staircases, has a small but pretty pool, and endless roof terraces. It sits on the edge of a bustling, colourful village and makes a great rural retreat just 50 mins from Udaipur.

Lilycourt Restaurant provides a fabulous new dining / art experience for those wanting to explore beyond Udaipur. It's pretty, has a great vibe, is modern, chic and calming; serves fab food, has an excellent gallery (modern art / sculpture) and is the brainchild of a trio of great artistic and forward thinking minds. An excellent new addition to the Udaipur 'moment' and lovely for lunch or dinner and lovers of modern art.

Thank you for lunch (x two!🤣)
Gogunda Palace


MAhout

01/04/2024

Indian Odyssey.......Oh wow! Returning to this beautiful area after a while, it was always going to be exciting! SUJAN Jawai was pretty perfect before and it was hard to think how it could be bettered. However, that is exactly what the inimitable SUJAN have done and their revamped Jawai camp is utterly breathtaking. It has to be up there with the best camps in India, if not the world. Not one detail is overlooked; the sheer style, elegance, romance, perfection and sophistication of everything they do is unsurpassed. Their jeeps are a joy to travel in; their drivers are genius; their rangers are so full of info and passion; the camp staff are tireless and make everything happen; their masseuses are at the top of their game. The immaculate stables are home to 14 Marwari horses and the riding opportunities here are boundless, along with so many other outdoor pursuits - walking, hiking, cycling, jeep safaris, leopard spotting, village life. Pioneers in conservation, regeneration, education, mobile health care, all things equine and wildlife, SUJAN have given this area...it's people AND it's flora and fauna....new life, hope and opportunity and are an example to the world.

SUJAN Jawai lies in an impossibly beautiful area of hundreds of acres of privately owned land. You won't see another jeep, let alone hotel. The granite hills, meadows, grasslands, farmlands, villages, and reservoir provide a constant visual feast! It is a veritable treat to stay here.

Thank you to all the amazing, attentive team at SUJÁN

01/04/2024

Indian Odyssey......we spent our Easter vigil observing this mighty chap for a couple of hours.....at times just a few feet away.....in the glorious granite hills of Jawai. Sunset also gave us the treat of a silhouetted pair of Eagle Owls.

Easter Monday had us on a sunrise hike up to Mt. Baliraja. We made it to the top, with a bit of a scramble, and were rewarded with views from heaven. A joy to be out in the countryside whilst staying in the outrageous comfort of unparalled Sujan Jawai.....what a place..more on that to come!

Thank you for a magical moment SUJÁN

MAhout

31/03/2024

Indian Odyssey.......Returning to treasured Dev Shree is always something to look forward to and arriving yesterday was as special as always. Having known, and grown, and laughed, and dreamt with the Dev Shree Deogarh family for over 30 years, they are very special to me. They have created the most beautiful home, run by the most beautiful family, in one of the most beautiful parts of rural Rajasthan. 10 huge, gorgeous rooms, croquet lawns, flower-filled gardens, peaceful shady verandahs, beautiful pool, scrumptious food, and mases to do - whatever your inclination. The friendliest of hosts - Shatrunjai, Bhavna, and their utterly charming sons, Mahadhriti and Bhagyaditya, welcome you into their home and really know about attention to detail, friendship and care. Dev Shree sits on the edge of a lake and on the edge of a village, in the heart of the Aravalli Hills - the perfect restful, immersive, gentle stop between Jodhpur / Jaipur and Udaipur. A true gem!

Thank you to all the wonderfully special, caring team Devshree - a Stately home at Deogarh, Rajasthan
Shatrunjai Singh Deogarh
Bhavna Kumari

MAhout

30/03/2024

Indian Odyssey.......A wonderful, relaxed evening back at hugely pretty Rawla Narlai. What a gem. With its gorgeous courtyards, inviting pool; longterm, smiling staff, and a variety of cosy, traditional heritage rooms or slick, fresh more contemporary rooms, there's something for everyone here. Chill out, go looking for leopard, walk up the rock, explore the village, or enjoy an impossibly romantic candlelit dinner in the countryside. Dining on the roof terrace, under the stars, is also a treat! A perfect stop between Jodhpur and Udaipur, for time exploring the wonders of the Aravalli Hills.

Thank you Rawla Narlai : A Heritage Resort

MAhout

29/03/2024

Indian Odyssey......another lovely day took us to charming Chanoud Garh, a 300 year old fort, steeped in history, in the middle of a bustling village. After a long absence, it was a treat to be back and to spend time chatting with owner Thakur Ajeet Singh ji and his lovely children, Jairaj and Swati, who make it happen. With 10 pretty, colourful, lofty, traditional heritage style rooms; leafy courtyards, and oodles of space, its a treasure trove to explore. Jeep safaris, village walks, heritage walks, and cooking demos, all make for an interesting stay at this relaxing, homely, family run fort on the edge of the desert scrub.

Thank you Chanoud Garh

MAhout

29/03/2024

Indian Odyssey......the romance of Rohet! What a joy to be back with the Rohet family and their wonderful hotels - The House of Rohet. The flower-filled gardens, pretty rooms, delightful village and family vibe at Rohet Garh always make me smile. The serenity and peace of majestic Mihir Garh - the epitome of spacious rural desert comfort - tucked away on its mound in the desert; and with its superb horses and glorious, huge suites, is an honour to spend time at, exploring the mysteries of The Great That Desert, its people, flora and fauna. Whilst chic, elegant, intimate Rohet House with its calm, sophisticated atmosphere, gorgeous bedrooms, and verdant garden, is a little gem in Jodhpur. Each so different, each so special, each offering something unique - they all warrant a visit

Thank you to all the lovely team at
House of Rohet

MAhout

28/03/2024

Indian Odyssey.....another great day out in the desert seeing the wonderful camp of Manvar Kumat. What a stunning place....fab tented rooms, well spaced out, oodles of privacy and space, great style, finish and feel appeal. A lovely desert moment. Also visited 'lesser sister ' Manvar Sevan (pics 9 & 10). A charming tented camp with traditional, cosy, Shikar tents arranged in a semi circle. Each lovely in their own way.

Manvār Kumat - Thar Serenity Camp

MAhout

27/03/2024

Indian Odyssey.....the wonders of RAAS Jodhpur.....
A green, oasis-like sanctuary in the heart of the old city of historic Jodhpur. The epitome of chic, relaxed, sophisticated elegance, this is THE place to stay. As magnificent by day as it is romantically beautiful at night, the views up to the fort are awe-inspiring. Eat well, sleep well, and be looked after by efficient, friendly staff.....it's a treat to spend time here. Next door is the excellent Stepwell Cafe (pic 8) for a change of dining moments; and across from the stepwell is Stepwell House (pics 9 & 10) for an excellent alternative for those on a tighter budget. Both run with the inimitable RAAS style and staff!

Thank you
RAAS
MAhout

27/03/2024

Indian Odyssey......a wonderful day seeing lovely friends and colleagues in the fab city of Jodhpur; visiting favourite small hotels; and spending time out in the countryside at an inspirational farm. Mharo Khet is an experimental farm proving how once degenerated land can become a productive source of incredible veg, herbs, spices, fruit and fungi. An amazing place to visit for lunch or dinner......7 small courses of delectable, organic, farm to table, vegetarian dishes! Brilliant, affable chef Ishan, highly educational walk around, great mode of transport!, and a chance to don fine shoe covers! The heat is building here.

Thank you
Mharo Khet


MAhout

26/03/2024

Indian Odyssey.......where better to recover from the fun, frolics, and excess of holi than at gloriously peaceful, serene RAAS Chhatrasagar. A dreamy place comprising exquisite tented rooms on a dam by a lake, it's the ultimate rural retreat between Jaipur and Jodhpur. With incredible attention to detail, wonderful walks, views, wildlife and boating experiences, it's a place to come and take time out, relishing nature. Chilling out on your verandah or enjoying a jar overlooking the lake is a treat in itself. RAAS always do things to perfection and this is no exception.

Thanks
Camp Chhatra Sagar
RAAS
MAhout

25/03/2024

Happy Holi. Nowhere better to play (celebrate) holi than at the exquisite Umaid Bhawan Palace with the wonderful Jodhpur Family.

A festival that celebrates spring and love; which signifies a time of rebirth and rejuvenation — a time to embrace the positive and let go of negative energy. A time of forgiveness, with good triumphing over evil.

Aka 'the festival of colour', it is one of the most wonderful moments to immerse oneself in, in this glorious country.

Thank you Umaid Bhawan Palace
HHM Gajsingh Bapji Jodhpur

MAhout

25/03/2024

Indian Odyssey......we continue into the rural heartlands of Rajasthan. Destination... delightful Shahpura Bagh. After a long absence, it was a treat to be back and to see the lovely Shahpura Family. The hotel was looking fab...the food is on another level; the gardens were overflowing with blooming amaryllis; the charming manager, PK, is quietly attentive, informative and efficient; the glorious pool was warm and begged Babe to spend time poolside; all beautifully maintained; and dinner at Dhikola Fort is one of those special, rare, romantic moments....a must during any stay. We watched the sun go down and the Holi full moon rise over the lake before feasting in candlelight. Shahpura is a gem of a garden haveli...a place to take time out in a hectic itinerary.

Thank you and congrats to the fab team at Shahpura Bagh and Jai Shahpura

MAhout

24/03/2024

Indian Odyssey......a treat to be back in Jaipur for a wonderful spell at my 'home away from home' ...Samode Haveli. Gearing up for Holi, it was buzzing with activity; the gardens are in full bloom and alive with colour. The new reception is a triumph...so much more spacious and efficient. The new bar works brilliantly off the central courtyard. It's always a joy to stay here, with its amazingly peaceful vibe in the heart of the city. Chilling out by the pool after a hard day's shopping, listening and looking is just the ticket! Closing in May for a month of intense renovations, I can't wait to see Samode Haveli's resplendent resurrection......watch this space !

Thank you to all the lovely team at Samode Haveli
Samode Hotels

MAhout

24/03/2024

Indian Odyssey......and so to Jaipur with a stop en route to visit dear friends, Udaijit and his two gorgeous pachyderm girlfriends, Lakshmi and Rangmala, at lovely Dera Amer. A conservation project for rescued animals, it's a wonderful tented, rural retreat to stay at or visit for a feast of a lunch or dinner.

Visited a charming, small hotel nearby, the Jodhpur family's polo lodge when in Jaipur. Now a 6 bedroom hotel, replete with history and tradition, it would be a great takeover place.

In Jaipur Babe indulged his interest in pottery, spending an enlightening morning learning the art of 'blue pottery ' whilst I headed off to visit exquisite RAAS Rajmahal Palace. It was looking spectacular with a fantastic, cool new bar, beautifully developed, more inviting gardens, and a wonderfully relaxed and welcoming vibe. One of Jaipur's gems - small and perfect!

Also discovered a really lovely, brand bew 9 bedroom homestay in the heart C-Scheme....art / design led, it's fun, cheery, welcomin, cosy and fresh.

Ended the day with a great evening at Jaipur's hottest new venue.... the brilliant Polo Palladio......sipping cocktails amongst the great and the good, by the Jaipur polo grounds. Chic, sophisticated and will soon offer all day dining....if you can get in!

Thanks Dera Amer Wilderness Camp
Udaijit Singh
RAAS
Aditya Baheti

MAhout

23/03/2024

Indian Odyssey......Heaven to be back in beloved India. After a fun time in Delhi meeting up with friends and colleagues, we headed to the sanctuary that is Anopura. Situated just 45 mins from Jaipur, surrounded by fields and hills, it's an oasis of calm and makes the perfect entry or exit point for India. The 7 new rooms enhance it hugely and in no way impact negatively on the peace, privacy, beauty and atmosphere of the original, gorgeous 6 rooms / villas. They are large, light, lofty, soft and elegant and have their own, shared pool and sundowner terrace well away from the other rooms; and offer a well priced alternative. The new breakfast / dining area; and chic, cool new bar, looking over the veggie patch, are another wonderful addition......and are a great place to sip a martini...as you can see! This little gem has it all....rural peace, romance, walks, fab food, glorious comfort, style and privacy, smiling staff and on Jaipur's doorstep! Love it!

Anopura, A World Apart
MAhout