When a hotly-anticipated hotel opens in a popular city, the eyes of the travel world are often upon it and Raffles Jaipur, which opened in the Pink City in July, is no different. Although there's no shortage of luxury accommodation in the Rajasthan capital, Jaipur's newest property – and the second Raffles hotel in India – is a haven of tranquillity among the desert state's colour and chaos. Much like a modern-day zenana, a women's palace from the Mughal times, the hotel brings some glamour to the Rajasthan capital.
The design is a highlight with its royal facade, pastel hues and exquisite interiors. Every fresco, chandelier, table, armchair and artefact has been crafted by master artisans and it all comes together in a beautiful palatial package. The atrium, which is home to tea lounge Saafir, is at the heart of the action. The space features Raffles' signature traveller palm trees, inspired by the original resort in Singapore, and is the place where a daily roster of musical talent is staged.
The National checked in during Raffles Jaipur's soft launch to find out if the hotel is living up to the hype.
The welcome
Exiting my car beside the towering cream-and-pale pink building, I walk into the ornately-designed lobby adorned with wall mosaics, soft carpets and intricate wooden furniture – all reflective of Rajasthan’s traditional crafts. My check-in has been completed before I even arrive, which is a welcome service after my hour-long drive.
I walk through a set of grand doors where the staff are on hand to greet me with a traditional Indian welcome: a dot (tikka) of sandalwood paste applied to my forehead. Sitting on a plush sofa, I sip a hibiscus welcome drink and relax as I breathe in the intoxicating aroma of neroli, bergamot and saffron – the hotel's Moonlit Mirage diffuser scent which was inspired by the princess of Nerola, a French royal well-known for her beauty rituals.
The neighbourhood
Raffles Jaipur is located in Kukas on the outskirts of Jaipur among other hotel heavyweights like The Leela Palace Jaipur, Taj Amer Jaipur and the Fairmont Jaipur, its next-door neighbour. The hotel's 50-key, boutique format offers an interesting contrast to the larger destination wedding hotels typical to this neighbourhood.
Jaipur’s city centre is 30 minutes away by road and guests can book a variety of nature-and-nightlife excursions that explore the region.
The room
There are two types of rooms and six suites to choose from. Guests can take their pick from Junior, Signature, Raffles, Princess and Maharani suites, or opt for the huge Rajmata Bedroom Presidential suite.
Every accommodation has a free-standing bathtub and / or a temperature-controlled pool and beautiful interiors handcrafted by artisans championing age-old craft techniques of Rajasthan. This traditional aesthetic is complemented by modern amenities like automatic curtain switches and sleek coffee machines.
I'm staying in the Princess suite, which has buttercup yellow walls accentuated by miniature artwork, gold murals, carved mirrors and Mughal arches. The king-size bed has an extremely comfortable Sealy mattress which feels luxurious to sleep on.
The indoor sitting area offers plenty of space to unwind, while the outdoor plunge pool is well-equipped with surrounding loungers and a chaise sofa. The ample-sized bathroom has two sinks, a walk-in wardrobe, a separate shower and toilet, as well as a free-standing bathtub, in which I enjoyed a royal-inspired bath.
The service
Each floor of the hotel has two butlers who are single points-of-contact for guests and on hand to help with any requests as well as packing and unpacking services.
My experience is faultless and my butler Geeta is experienced, discreet and warm. In fact, everyone I encounter during my stay, whether it be chefs, bartenders, waiters or spa therapists are friendly and go out of their way to improve my experience.
The scene
It's quiet during my stay, with only a few other guest, but staff inform me that a busy weekend is on the cards with lots of arrivals. There are a few couples and some small groups staying at the same time as me.
Guests keen to keep their fitness on track during their stay can head to the hotel's spacious gym which has a trainer on-site to guide functional exercises, weight training and stretching. During my visit, the spa is still getting ready to open, but a preview deep-tissue massage treatment in my suite highlights the expertise of the therapists, who effectively ease my stiff muscles and follow my requests to a tee.
Guests who wish to venture out of this royal abode have a wide choice of excursions to book via the hotel. Options include seeing Jaipur at dawn followed by a street food breakfast and experiencing evening tea in the wilderness. Those looking to experience the city's nightlife can book a Jaipur by night tour and history buffs will enjoy exploring the city's famous forts, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
An infinity pool looks out to the green hills of Kukas and there are plans for live music sessions on the terrace, as well as a cigar lounge and a rooftop restaurant called Sehera which will serve Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
There is no dedicated kids club, but children are welcome at the property as part of families and groups.
The food
Raffles Jaipur steers away from the average buffet breakfast and instead serves freshly-prepared a la carte dishes along with fruit platters, juices and bakery baskets. Those who hate waking up early will likely relish the in-room breakfast option, which is just as good.
The hotel’s main restaurant is Arkaa and it is a plant-focused eatery serving up progressive North Indian cuisine. Think chaat (street food) flights and tandoori grills, but also crowd-pleasing favourites like chicken tikka bharta (Dh80), Arkaa raan ie whole leg of lamb (Dh166) and gosht biryani (Dh80).
Guests can also sip tea or enjoy a refreshment at Saafir in the lobby or take in the hotel's high tea experience at the Raffles Writer’s Bar.
Highs and lows
Tasteful luxury is a hallmark of the Raffles brand and the elevated design, luxurious rooms and butler service at this resort will delight discerning travellers.
For those who want to be close to the action and perhaps partake in some sightseeing, the hotel's location in Kukas might not be ideal – it's a good half an hour by car from the bustling city centre.
The insider tip
Book the Maharani bedroom suite, which has a beautiful plunge pool on the balcony, ideal for soaking into after a day spent exploring.
The verdict
A perfect pick for those looking for a sophisticated luxurious stay on the outskirts of the Pink City.
The Bottom Line
Stays from Dh2,408, plus taxes per night; check in at 3pm and check out at noon.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
THE SPECS
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Engine: 5-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 680Nm
Price: Dh465,071
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
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Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
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If you go
The flights
Emirates (www.emirates.com) and Etihad (www.etihad.com) both fly direct to Bengaluru, with return fares from Dh 1240. From Bengaluru airport, Coorg is a five-hour drive by car.
The hotels
The Tamara (www.thetamara.com) is located inside a working coffee plantation and offers individual villas with sprawling views of the hills (tariff from Dh1,300, including taxes and breakfast).
When to go
Coorg is an all-year destination, with the peak season for travel extending from the cooler months between October and March.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre V6
Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
Price: Dh179,999-plus
On sale: now
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
