Etihad Airways has added another Indian city to its South Asian routes, with four non-stop flights to Jaipur every week starting June 16. The Abu Dhabi airline now flies to 11 locations in India.
Famously called the “pink city” for its standout architecture, Jaipur is the capital and biggest city of the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan. It offers a kaleidoscope of forts, palaces and bustling bazaars, all steeped in history and regal charm.
The walled city is also a Unesco World Heritage Site. Its architecture aside, Jaipur pulsates with vibrant cultural energy, best experienced by getting lost in its labyrinthine streets.
“Jaipur is an expression of the astronomical skills, living traditions, unique urban form and exemplary innovative city planning of an 18th-century city from India,” says the Unesco website.
Among some of its landmarks is Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, which features an intricately latticed facade in red and pink sandstone and with hundreds of windows. Another tourist hotspot is the City Palace complex with courtyards, halls and structures that showcase the rich heritage of Rajasthan. It is also where the royal family resides.
Jaipur is part of India's golden triangle, given its proximity to New Delhi and Agra. The well-travelled route provides a good spectrum of the country's travel-friendly offerings. The city has built a strong tourism reputation over the years, with several stunning five-star properties slated to open soon. Here are four to watch out for.
Raffles Jaipur
When it opens next month, Raffles Jaipur will have 50 rooms, the design for each inspired by Mughal architectural tradition. The property will also “feature cultural references at every corner”. There will be a restaurant serving North Indian cuisine, afternoon tea in the Atrium, a Writer's Bar, a spa and a rooftop pool and bar.
Opening in July
Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur Hotel
Anantara's first Indian property will include luxurious suites with private plunge pools, a spa and a large events venue. It will welcome guests via an entryway that opens onto a double-height ceiling and grand staircase.
The hotel's 150 rooms and suites will include four terrace suites, each with a plunge pool. There will be an Indian fine-dining restaurant, and a rooftop restaurant and bar. The new-build property also touts itself as a grand wedding destination that can accommodate 2,500 guests.
Opening late 2024
Waldorf Astoria Jaipur
The Waldorf Astoria brand by Hilton is set to arrive in Jaipur in 2027. The property will span nine hectares overlooking the Aravalli Range. There will be 51 pool villas and 174 guest rooms. In terms of other amenities, it will feature a spa, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre.
Five dining venues are coming, including Waldorf Astoria's Peacock Alley lounge and bar. The property will offer meeting spaces, plus lawns, courtyards and gardens for weddings and other celebrations.
Off the Delhi-Jaipur Road, the property will offer access to attractions such as Amer Palace, Nahargarh Fort and Hawa Mahal.
Opening in 2027
Conrad Jaipur
Hilton has also announced the 2027 arrival of Conrad Hotels & Resorts in the city, in the Mansarovar area and a 15-minute drive from Jaipur International Airport. Guest rooms will range from deluxe to suites with private plunge pools and an expansive presidential suite.
More than 1,800 square metres of event space will be offered, from lawns to courtyards and gardens.
Opening in 2027
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Grand slam winners since July 2003
Who has won major titles since Wimbledon 2003 when Roger Federer won his first grand slam
Roger Federer 19 (8 Wimbledon, 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)
Rafael Nadal 16 (10 French Open, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open)
Novak Djokovic 12 (6 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 1 French Open)
Andy Murray 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)
Stan Wawrinka 3 (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 US Open)
Andy Roddick 1 (1 US Open)
Gaston Gaudio 1 (1 French Open)
Marat Safin 1 (1 Australian Open)
Juan Martin del Potro 1 (1 US Open)
Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Fight card
1. Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) v Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
2. Featherweight: Hussein Salim (IRQ) v Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
3. Catchweight 80kg: Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Khamza Yamadaev (RUS)
4. Lightweight: Ho Taek-oh (KOR) v Ronald Girones (CUB)
5. Lightweight: Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) v Damien Lapilus (FRA)
6. Bantamweight: Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) v Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
7. Featherweight: Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
8. Flyweight: Shannon Ross (TUR) v Donovon Freelow (USA)
9. Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Dan Collins (GBR)
10. Catchweight 73kg: Islam Mamedov (RUS) v Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM)
11. Bantamweight World title: Jaures Dea (CAM) v Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
12. Flyweight World title: Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Name: Salem Alkarbi
Age: 32
Favourite Al Wasl player: Alexandre Oliveira
First started supporting Al Wasl: 7
Biggest rival: Al Nasr
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
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War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness'
Director: Sam Raimi
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg and Rachel McAdams
Rating: 3/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch
Top 5 concerns globally:
1. Unemployment
2. Spread of infectious diseases
3. Fiscal crises
4. Cyber attacks
5. Profound social instability
Top 5 concerns in the Mena region
1. Energy price shock
2. Fiscal crises
3. Spread of infectious diseases
4. Unmanageable inflation
5. Cyber attacks
Source: World Economic Foundation
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
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