An oasis 12km south of Jaipur, Savista is one of the most idyllic, tranquil and yet grounding spa retreats the SPA-ARK Retreat & Spa team have visited.
With over 200 species of birds ( we saw many including a Kingfisher by the pond), a variety of herbal trees and sweet smelling flowers like Champa, Jasmine and Neem. Savista is so relaxing - the apex of a Maharajahs lifestyle...
The building is the family home of it's owner, Bhanwar and it's draped with beautiful and historic family heir looms from generations of Indian art and crafts. Bhanwar converted his family home to give something back to the community, share knowledge and help cultivate peace and wellbeing for many walks of life.
The spa in an adjacent building has separate quarters for men and women with adjourning sauna. It looks and feels cool away from the dusty malaise of the bustling city beyond. Here there is a nice little bar, again with beautifully stunning hand made arts and crafts but this time from indigenous tribes from around the world. The kitchen here in the spa is very clean with also a barbecue grill - you can imagine nights after a good trek or shopping in Jaipur and a relaxing massage and sauna to be chilling out on the lawn outside the spa having a beer or tea eagerly awaiting a Delicious evening meal...
We had a wonderful evening meal, fresh tomato soup with near ripe tomatoes picked that morning and mild chicken curry that was very tender. The finale was the sweet, like Victoria sponge in the UK but dripped in syrup and absolutely exquisite, each bite endued with the feeling of a thousand mantras such was the intention of the great food.
The small palace of Savista has rooms following carefully selected designs and subtly colour co-ordinated themes. The specially made camel pottery lampshades and homely but luxuriant on-suite bathrooms topped-off the most natural, inspired and rurally royal rooms I had ever seen...
A large swimming pool the centre piece of the cool courtyard within shaded by Date trees and a billowing fabric from the ramparts above perfect for reclining after a yoga class, block printing session or musical muse in the wonderful reception room.
Many of the guest rooms have their own balconies to give privacy and yet a sense of community from the subtle adjourning paths between each balcony. It is the perfect spot to enjoy the stars at night or the countryside and beautifully kept gardens during the day. At the back of the Maharajah's home is a long broad and stately staircase leading to an amphitheater, great steps to sit and watch a musical event or evening play.
Sitting there I can see many musical events under the cloak of night punctured by scintillating stars, let alone the peaceful air and eminent staff make Savista a place not to be missed...
Thank you to all at Savista By Giggling Buddha
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