Back in March 2014 when we were a couple, Daraius and I flew to India as part of an around-the-world trip for my parents. During our journey, we visited India, the Maldives, and Hong Kong.
We took a 4-day trip to Jaipur, a city in the Northern part of India called Rajasthan. I really like Rajasthan for its historic palaces, extraordinary forts, and excellent shopping. And we even took a picturesque elephant ride! It’s different than anywhere else I’ve traveled, and that’s why I liked it so much!
Mom and Me at the ITC Rajputana – a Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel
This series of posts will cover the logistics of getting to Jaipur, the hotel we stayed in, the activities we did, and restaurants we visited.
Jet Set to Jaipur Trip Report Index:
Part 1 – Planning and Introduction
Part 2 – Getting to Jaipur, India
Part 3 – ITC Rajputana Hotel Overview
Part 4 – ITC Rajputana Hotel Room
Part 5 – Activities in Jaipur – Amber Fort and Elephant Ride
Part 6 – Activities in Jaipur – City Palace and Jaigarh Fort
Part 7 – Shopping in Jaipur and the Hunt for Lacquer Jewelry
Part 8 – Eating in Jaipur
Part 9 – Conclusion & Blog Giveaway
ITC Rajputana Hotel (A Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel)
Daraius booked us at the ITC Rajputana, which is a Starwood Luxury Collection hotel. It’s a Starwood category 1, which means it only costs 3,000 Starwood points per night (2,000 Starwood points on weekends).
When we stayed, it was a Starwood category 2 hotel. So we paid 4,000 Starwood points per night (still a bargain!).
Paid standard rooms here normally cost ~$130 per night, so this was a terrific deal!
We used Starwood points earned from our American Express Starwood Preferred Guest personal and small business cards. Here’s my series on how to earn (and use) Starwood points!
There are lots of other chain hotels in Jaipur where you can stay using points, including Club Carlson, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, Starwood, and Wyndham hotels, including:
Hilton Jaipur (20,000 Hilton points per night)
Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre (15,000 IHG points per night)
Jaipur Marriott Hotel (15,000 Marriott points per night)
Radisson Blu Jaipur (15,000 Club Carlson points per night)
Hotel Hustle is a terrific tool for finding award nights! I like that it shows the number of points required per night and whether or not award rooms are available!
The ITC Rajputana Is Well-Reviewed and an Amazing Value at Only 3,000 Starwood Points per Night
The hotel was made of brick and seemed like it may have been an old warehouse or factory.
The Architecture Was Unusual for a 5-Star Hotel!
Outside of the hotel was a street with not much else.
Not the Most Scenic View, but We Liked How Close the Location Was to Places We Wanted to Visit
But the hotel was close enough to the major sites.
All Ready to Check-In at the ITC Rajputana
We put our belongings through the metal detector (common at hotels in India).
Like Going to the Airport!
And then entered the lobby.
The Lobby Was Ornate With Lots of Carvings and Brightly Colored Decor
The lobby was very pretty and featured a gorgeous staircase with carved railings.
You’d Almost Feel Like a Princess Going to the Ball Coming Down These Stairs!
The staircase had beautiful traditional carvings that are very common in India.
The Elaborate Staircase Carvings Must Have Taken Many Hours to Complete!
In the center of the lobby was a fountain with rose petals.
You Don’t Often See Fountains With Floating Rose Petals at US Hotels!
My favorite part of the lobby were the lanterns that hung from the ceiling.
We Were Impressed With the Unusual Lighting in the Lobby
There was a lot of comfortable seating.
I Loved All the Bright Jewel Tones in the Furniture and Decor
I liked the pretty colors of the furniture.
They Certainly Aren’t Afraid to Use Bright Colors Here!
Several counters welcomed guests to check in.
The Check-In Counters Were Stylish and Modern
There was a Starwood Preferred Guest counter, too!
Thanks to Starwood Points, We Stayed for Free!
The view of the lobby from the staircase was very pretty.
An Impressive View! It Was a Real Treat to Stay at Such a Beautiful Hotel
We were so happy Daraius picked this hotel for us!
We Still Can’t Believe This Hotel Costs So Few Starwood Points per Night!
The hotel lobby also had traditional paintings.
The Lobby Murals Seemed to Tell a Story
The main lobby also had a bar, and restaurants nearby. The bar looked very classy!
The Perfect Spot for a Cocktail After a Long Day of Touring Around
The hotel had a beautiful inner courtyard that made you feel like you weren’t in India!
A Nice Spot to Relax and Take a Break From Sightseeing
There was a big swimming pool.
The Courtyard and Pool Were Quiet and Relaxing
After a full day of sightseeing, my mom and I decided to go for a swim. There was an adult and kiddie pool.
Time for a Dip! Families Would Feel Comfortable Here Too
It was relaxing to sit by the pool, chat, and read magazines!
Nothing Like a Little Mother-Daughter Down Time!
The sun wasn’t too strong since it was later in the day.
No Sunburn Here! We Waited Until Later in the Afternoon to Chill by the Pool
There were some unusual flowers in the gardens.
I’m Not Sure What These Flowers Are Called, but They Were Gorgeous!
The hotel had a highly-rated restaurant called Peshawri, a spa, a shopping arcade, and a game center.
Spa, Shopping, Dining – Everything You Need Is Right at the Hotel
The architecture and landscaping made the hotel very elegant and comfortable.
The Flowers and Landscaping Gave the Hotel a Fresh and Tropical Feel
There was an indoor / outdoor bar where you could order drinks and relax.
Take a Break From the Heat With Refreshments at the Poolside Bar
The outdoor beds looked relaxing.
If You Need a Nap, These Beds Look Perfect for an Afternoon Snooze
The shops at the hotel were small and expensive, so I would not recommend going.
You’ll Pay Far Less Buying Your Souvenirs in the City Instead of the Hotel
Bottom Line
The ITC Rajputana (a Starwood Luxury Collection hotel) was a comfortable and classy place to stay during our trip to Jaipur. It was in a good location, had excellent sleeping rooms, and a pool, spa, and 2 delicious restaurants to enjoy!
We used 4,000 Starwood points per night for a standard room, but the price has since gone down to 3,000 Starwood points per night. It’s a terrific deal!
If you prefer other chains, there are also Club Carlson, Hilton, IHG, Marriott, and Wyndham hotels in Jaipur.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at the rooms!
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