Set on a one hundred acre private estate of indigenous desert scrub, The Serai draws inspiration from the royal caravan sites of Rajputana; blending the dash and vivacity of this Land of Kings.
There is no better place from which to venture into the mystical environs of Jaisalmer to discover its fabled golden fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Evenings are spent under the vast expanse of the desert sky, punctuated by the stars and ancient melodies of Manganiyar folk musicians whose songs have haunted these dunes for centuries.
The Sujan connection to Jaisalmer is one of friendship, of personal connections, of a family being drawn to a destination decades ago, that is favoured by many today. This luxurious desert camp and spa that was established in 2008 is a spectacular getaway.
In its first year, The Serai was an early Indian property to become a member of Relais & Châteaux. Many of the experiences shared at The
Serai would not have been possible without the collaboration of local communities. The ancient folk musicians, who sang for the family when it first came here in 1971, are the same family of musicians who share their music around the campfire today at The Serai.
The guide on that first journey many decades ago, continues to walk the guests through the history and legacies of Jaisalmer.
The Serai is an oasis, a place for rest and rejuvenation in the desert, mapped out with precision and detail.
Built on a linear grid rising up from the desert, it stands proud with some walls carved in sandstone; with tents built on a majestic scale.
Local craftsman worked the stone, built grand plunge pools, and a towering inverted step well upon which lies the placid pool.
From the ‘grand’ in scale, to the smallest precious object and artifact, the camp captures and enhances the spirit of Jaisalmer.
The Serai is simple, contemporary and elegant. In white and gold, it shines in the heart of the Thar.
Subtle interventions of the crafts and textiles are woven into the property through carpets and turbans, throws and cushions, contrasting the vivid colours of Rajasthan with the stark terrain of the Thar desert, to create a tranquil space.
The property's 21 tents are a delightful symphony of styles.
Fourteen tented suites offer spacious accommodation and cover an area of over one thousand square feet.
Six luxury tented suites have their own private walled-in garden and sunken, heated dip pool with Jacuzzi jets.
The exclusive royal tented suite has its own spa, outdoor pool, dining and lounge tents, all walled into a private enclosure.
Each canvas tent is raised on a honey coloured sandstone plinth and comes with its own terrace lounge, saturated with natural light and stylish interiors, all carefully selected and arranged by Anjali Singh.
The Royal Tented Suite set in a private ‘encampment’ has its own spa, a heated outdoor pool and separate tents to dine and lounge in. A personal butler will ensure you have everything you need during your stay.
Privacy, peace and comfort define this spacious and luxurious paradise.
Six Luxury Tented Suites are on offer, each with their own private, open to the sky, plunge pool. Your blue ceramic tiled pool will be
heated on request, and is gently lit by candlelight at night, perfect for a special romantic interlude.
The Luxury Tents, of which there are fourteen, are pitched on a base of soothing local Jaisalmer stone. Each has an outdoor veranda,
a covered living room, and a large and spacious bedroom with an en suite bathroom.
ll Relais & Châteaux properties across the world are unique and outstanding, reflecting the place, its people and their cultures.
The Serai serves sumptuous local delicacies as well as delicious western repasts drawn from inherited recipes that pattern the daily changing menus, meticulously planned, to give you eclectic fare using fresh homegrown organic ingredients.
You may choose to dine at the dining tent or anywhere on site, and the
staff is always on hand to create an experience tailor-made to suit your particular desire, or mood.
The Bar oozes comfort and beckons travellers to slip into the ample, deep set club - chairs, placed around plush accoutrements.
The wonderful interiors are best enjoyed with cocktails or other refreshing concoctions.
The Serai is known for its family recipes and menus, its outdoor kitchen and its team of chefs. Freshly produced salads and ingredients from The Serai’s Organic Herb and Vegetable Garden are used to create delicious, sumptuous meals.
As always, guests are welcome to participate in cooking sessions with the team if they like, either to learn new recipes or to share their own
favourites or even to just view the preparations that go into making The Serai’s legendary dining experience.
Bush cooking involves the most rustic form of cuisine, showcased by the team using traditional Indian methods of cooking, be it on the fire or under the ground on hot coals.
The highly acclaimed Sujan Spa at The Serai, Jaisalmer, has been created by Rosamund Freeman-Atwood, of the globally renowned Raison d’Etre.
The Suja Spa comprises four tents with interiors that induce soporific charm and a sense of wellbeing set within a walled garden. A diverse menu of therapies ensures you experience the mood and essence that your mind and body demands.
From rousing reflexology to cleansing scrubs and relaxing massages, the organic and ayurvedic products are made with ingredients from the Thar, blended with an array of healing herbs that leave you feeling relaxed and heavenly.
The Sujan Spa comprises 4 tents with interiors that induce soporific charm and a sense of wellbeing set within a walled garden. A diverse menu of therapies ensures you experience the mood and essence that your mind and body demands.
JAISALAMER
Jaisalmer sits on an expanse of history that has been carefully recorded by the bards of Rajasthan from the 12th century, when Rawal Jaisal of the Bhati Rajput clan built this ‘golden’ citadel in 1156 AD.
It straddled the once prosperous trade routes of the Great Thar Desert, hosting caravans into India, some of them plying the subsidiary routes of the great Silk Road, connecting China and Asia to the capitals of Europe.
A ‘living’ fort, it has within its walls beautiful palaces and havelis, or town houses. The city is known for its vibrant culture, kept alive by the utterly hospitable desert people.
The Government of Rajasthan recently initiated a clean-up drive and restoration of the historic Jaisalmer Fort, which in 2013 was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site, a great tribute to this surviving medieval fortified city carved in yellow sandstone, where the sun reflects the colours of the rainbow against the golden hues of the great Thar Desert.
EXPERIENCES
The Camp is perfectly located for excursions to the fabled, twelfth-century desert kingdom of Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer is of course famous for its ‘Golden Fortress’ which you can explore on your walk through the ancient fortress city, marvelling at the intricately carved Jain temples and private havelis or mansions.
Camel safaris, desert drives and sundowners on the sand dunes are just some of the other memorable and sought after escapades the resort offers.
Each of the tailor-made excursions is led by an experienced guide and can be booked in advance, which is preferable, or else on arrival at the camp, which will be subject to availability.
The guests are welcome to participate in cooking sessions with the team if they like, either to learn new recipes or to share their own favourites or even to just view the preparations that go into making The Serai’s legendary dining experience.
Camels are the lifeline of the desert and are intrinsic to the lives of communities settled in the region. At The Serai, the desert's staff would be pleased to organize a camel safari for you in traditional Rajasthani style.
The Manganiars are the traditional bards of the western desert, with a history that goes back 13 centuries. At The Serai, they are at home, at ease and sing for you at leisure, their ancestral village barely thirty minutes away.
The Serai Temple Trail takes you through varied glimpses of village life, exposing you to Indian superstition, as well as community and regional beliefs. Each place of worship in the Jaisalmer region has its own little story.
The dunes at Jaisalmer are soft, golden hued and warm. The most sublime experience is to sit at the dunes, feel the softness of the sand, and breathe in the best of nature, interspersed with sublime sundowners. Experience the mystery of the great Thar Desert.
‘Twitching’ is trying to see as many different species of birds as possible. Those involved in this activity are known as ‘twitchers’ and each individual sighting is a ‘twitch’ or ‘tick’. The guides help you sight over 200 species of birds in Jaisalmer.
Step out and step into a different world to observe how life conducts itself in this part of the world. Engage with artisans and local artistes or simply watch life go by at a village well. Wherever you choose to go, this trip is a brief voyage into another way of life.
SUJAN THE SERAI
BherwaJaisalamerRajasthan 345001India