BY : NIVI SHRIVASTAVA
Once in a while all of us wish to go back in time and witness the grandeur of old-world that we have only read about in glossy coffee-table books. In Rajasthan, tourists and young couples often come looking for such exquisite royal experiences and without a doubt, they get to relive the past in present tense.
When we visited the newly built Gateway Resort at the Pushkar-Ajmer Bypass we couldn’t help but wonder how this beautiful property in the middle of lush Aravali hills could be a perfect destination for a royal retreat.
For couples, who are looking for an offbeat destination wedding location, this is an ideal place to experience the wonderful hospitality of Rajasthan and recreate a picture-perfect royal nuptial ceremony – the grand resort with 81 rooms and a luxury suite has all the elements of traditional décor and art from the region. The standard rooms at this property start at INR 4,500 per night and come with a fabulous view of surrounding lush mountains.
The resort is built in the form of a palace with trademark coral sandstone and classic marble flooring – hints of typical Rajasthan architecture can be seen in all the rooms with dark wood décor and carved jhoolas (swings).
The widespread resort has a fabulous poolside area, with an elevated stage area that could be a perfect venue for an evening soiree. A grand banquet hall and adjoining restaurant Aravali that serves authentic Rajasthani and global cuisine are also noteworthy highlights.
Nagendra Hada, General Manager, The Gateway Resort Pushkar Bypass Ajmer, informs us, “The resort can accommodate 240 guests at one time. The lavish indoor venues can accommodate 300 – 500 guests and outdoor venues anywhere between 300 – 1000. The property offers wedding packages which are priced INR 35 Lac + taxes upwards which include stay and all meals for guests. For any other requirements such as decorations, lighting etc guests can customize and add other features.”
Apart from these facilities, one can also get pampered at the Spa inside the hotel, where guests can relax with therapeutic massages and health treatments.
Breath-taking farewell in the wilderness
After the visit from the twin cities around the hotel, we received a beautiful farewell in the form of a wilderness dinner planned by our hosts from the hotel. The surprise on the last day of our stay was a fabulous dinner experience created in the outdoors amidst the Aravali Mountains.
Beneath the bright moonlight, a delicious spread of heritage dishes and a romantic bonfire was planned along with traditional Rajasthani music in the wild. A perfect kind of bachelor’s night if you think from a wedding perspective! As we enjoyed the flavourful wines with our luxurious meal, we were soon lost in the happy memories that we gathered at this fabulous getaway!
How to reach The Gateway Resort Pushkar Bypass Ajmer
The resort is located around 120 km from Jaipur airport, and it is situated 15 km ahead of Ajmer and 12 km away from Pushkar city. If you are travelling from Delhi, a convenient way to reach would be by road or by railway – both routes will take you around 6-7 hours depending on the traffic.
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This is a lovely insight into the Gateway Resort, very informative and well written. I would definitely like to visit it after reading this post!
thanks tarini. let us know about your experience 🙂