RAAS Chhatrasagar: Camping gets a luxe upgrade

The family that originally owned the property ran a farm on it, but about 20 years ago, they suspended all farming and let the land grow wild – so most of the vegetation today is natural and overrun. And being in a dam, the terrain isn’t ideal for manicured landscaping.

Bespoke Hand-Embroidered Tents
When Nikhilendra Singh, founder and MD of RAAS Hotels began refurbishing the site, the aim was to bring alive the Rajput campaign tented lifestyle of years past, but with a modern upgrade. Says Singh, “We did want to give the guests the feeling that they were staying in a tent but we didn’t want it to look like a typical African safari tent. We went for a more relaxed, contemporary feel.” The result is an airy, roomy and elegant tented accommodation with all the trappings of a luxe hotel room, including skylights, air conditioning and bathtubs in each structure. 

The tents have also been created keeping in mind the ecological constraints of being situated in a dam.  The designers, Delhi-based Studio Lotus, came up with a hybrid system with lightweight, pre-engineered pods built on a steel frame with zero concrete. Says Ambrish Arora, co-owner, Studio Lotus, “Since the tents are perennial, we had to minimise the AC load and keep energy consumption to a minimum. The tents consist of dry lightweight walls and an insulated dry roof over which there is a Tencel fabric canopy that provides insulation and protection from rain.”

The tents are airy and open, but secluded from each other: a walkway on the dam, at a height of 8 feet below the tents, connects the rooms and restaurant, ensuring each unit has privacy.

Behl used specially-crafted 8-foot blocks (roughly the size of surfboards) to create her designs and has used a combination of illustrations and graphic designs for her prints. No two tents are alike – each is customised with a different set of prints and patterns.

The intricate detailing on the tents are offset by the simplicity of the furniture, designed by Mangrove Collective in Delhi. The brief was to bring in a sense of the wild while creating furniture that was comfortable, durable and stylish. Each piece has been custom designed for the property using locally-sourced acacia wood from the estate. There is a rustic elegance to each piece, with elements of brass and canvas and a nod to Jaipur Deco. (No laminates have been used, everything you see is pure wood.) If bespoke spells luxury to you, then this property will certainly not disappoint!

RAAS Chhatrasagar is unique in that it offers all the majesty of Rajput-era campaign life with modern minimalism and comfort. The best way to reach the hotel is by road from nearest airports Jodhpur, Jaipur or New Delhi. It takes about 2-3 hours by car from Jodhpur. A road trip from Jaipur will is a little over 4 hours, while driving down from Delhi could take anywhere from 8-9 hours. So if you are looking to get away from the city and the four walls of your home, bookmark it for your next trip.

The property is now open and welcoming visitors, with all COVID-19 precautions and safety measures in place. RAAS Chhatrasagar is offering a 15% discount on bookings to all of our readers. Check here for all the terms and conditions. For enquiries, call 91-291-2636455 or email reservations@raaschhatrasagar.com .