Chandra Mahal Haveli

Rooms

The 11 rooms are hidden all over the haveli, many leading onto a central courtyard where a fountain overflows into colourful marigolds from the garden. Decor is traditional Rajasthani in style, with beautiful antique furniture, vintage photographs, and ornate stonework throughout.

Heritage Rooms are simple but comfortable, some with terraces. Room 106 has a tiny extra cubby space with a single bed for parties of 3 (though no separating door). The top-floor Suites are simply palatial and definitely worth the splurge. Each has a private alfresco hot tub filled upon request, and 3 terraces with different views. Note bathrooms throughout are shower only.

Features include:

• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Meals in the poolside Peharsi Andaaz restaurant are an absolute delight, with the focus on simple regional recipes using seasonal produce from the surrounding fields. Food is good value, unpretentious and hearty - and refreshingly, never heavy or greasy. We asked for the chef’s recommendations, and were presented with plate after plate of simply extraordinary food - malai kofta with cashew nut and rosewater puree, a Rajasthani Thali with a seemingly endless selection of tiny vegetable dishes; and a sweet and salty nimboo pani (fresh lime and soda) to wash it down.

Breakfast (included) is simpler, but still tasty. You choose Indian or continental fare (poori baji or idli if you opt for the former, eggs and porridge for the latter) with coffee or masala chai. During busy seasons, breakfast is served as a buffet; during quieter seasons it is served a la carte at your table.

Features include:

• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Rise early for a guided walk around the village: see buffalos being washed, chapatis being handmade, sarees being hung up to dry - all the sights and sounds of a tiny village waking up
  
• Day trip to the mind-blowing Taj Mahal, the evocative red sandstone palaces of Fatehpur Sikri on the way to Agra, and Agra's fort and bazaars
  
• Closer to home, visit the amazingly preserved Deegh Palace near Bharatpur, or the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (one of the best in India), home to countless species of cranes, pelicans, and eagles
  
• Relax in the hotel gardens and swim, play croquet or badminton. During high season, there are live folk-music concerts by the pool
  
• Upon request, Rajkumar (the village camel) can take you for a ride through the fields on his cart!

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Badminton
• Birdwatching
• Croquet
• Museums / galleries
• Private guided tours
• Traditional cultures
• Wildlife

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome at Chandra Mahal. There's a wide-open garden area for kids to play, and the pool has a shallow end. The local villagers are extremely welcoming to children, who will be fascinated by their culture. Note, there are no baby cots or baths. Kids under 11 stay for free when sharing their parents' bed.

Best for:

Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

All rooms can fit 1 rollaway bed, for a maximum occupancy of 3. Heritage Room 106 has a tiny extra single bed tucked away from the main bedroom area.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Chandra Mahal is 25km from the small town of Bharatpur in Rajasthan. It's 1.5 hours west of Agra (80km), and 3-4 hours drive from Jaipur (160km) along the Jaipur-Agra expressway.

By Air:
Agra (80km) is served by domestic flights from Delhi Indira Ghandi International (a major international hub, 244km away). Alternatively fly into Jaipur (160km) and come overland.

By Rail:
Bharatpur is on the main railway between Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay), with regular connections to Mathura, Sawai Madhopur and Kota. It's also connected by rail to Agra.

By Road:
If touring northern India by road, we recommend hiring a car with driver - our Tailormade Tour Operator can arrange this for you.