VILLA PALLADIO JAIPUR
The Red Boutique Hotel
Exclusivity, intimacy, and captivating narratives are the key elements sought by discerning travelers in today's landscape. Villa Palladio Jaipur, a candy-colored boutique hotel in India, perfectly embodies this enchanting combination. Conceptualized by Italian-Swiss entrepreneur Barbara Miolini and Dutch designer Marie-Anne Oudejans, the creative duo behind the famed Bar Palladio, this dreamlike retreat reimagines a Maharaja's palace through the lens of Rococo exuberance and Italian flair.
CHIC ECCENTRIC
Nestled amidst lush landscaped gardens, Villa Palladio embraces the concept of a 19th-century "Grand Hotel" – a home away from home where guests can unwind, dine, and socialize. However, this experience goes beyond typical hospitality; it's akin to being under the care of a fairy godmother or an eccentric aunt. Miolini's vision for the hotel was to evoke a sense of excitement, surprise, and secrecy, which is brilliantly achieved through a vivid palette of red shades, floral motifs, and geometric patterns that ignite the senses. Fragrances of roses, jasmine, and champa flowers fill the air, accompanied by the serene melodies of babbling fountains and birdsong.
Mughal Empire Heritage
Located just a short drive from Jaipur, Villa Palladio sits on a tranquil three-acre estate, providing an escape from the city's bustling urban sprawl. The property's charm is further enhanced by the existing Rajasthani haveli, a richly decorated mansion reminiscent of the Mughal Empire. Despite the challenges of two Covid lockdowns, the hotel opened its doors in September 2022 after 2.5 years of dedicated effort, standing as a testament to Miolini's passion and the seamless fusion of cultures.
Miolini and Oudejans' intervention focused on revamping the existing mansion while adding a grand veranda and a new pool house. The grounds were transformed into a Mughal garden characterized by precise geometries and central water fountains. The renovation, far from understated, embraced a vibrant transformation, with a sumptuous palette of red hues that infuses the premises with an Alice-in-Wonderland sense of wonder and childlike fantasy.
Drawing inspiration from Jaipur's Pink City, the signature color of Villa Palladio is red, reflecting the robes worn by Cardinals in Rome. Throughout the interiors, red takes center stage, beautifully contrasting with the white exterior. Hand-painted motifs, striped patterns, and multifoil arches pay homage to Rajasthani architecture while incorporating Mughal, Moorish, and Italian influences. Local artisans meticulously crafted Rococo-style furnishings, adding to the hotel's distinctive aesthetic.
Red is the new trend
The enchantment continues in the nine uniquely decorated rooms and suites, where canopied beds, embroidered sheets, and hand-carved marble latticed screens evoke exquisite craftsmanship and a fairy tale ambiance. The Torre Belvedere rooms, occupying former watchtowers, boast octagonal bedrooms, soaring ceilings, and private terraces overlooking the rose garden, showcasing the property's celebration of grand simplicity.
Behind hibiscus hedges, the palm-shaded swimming pool awaits, adorned with candy-striped daybeds and vibrant red umbrellas. A pool house, designed in the Mughal style, stands nearby, while a charming pavilion bar serves Campari-based cocktails, harmonizing with the hotel's red theme. Guests can also indulge in the Spa, offering purifying rituals, nourishing treatments, and a serene meditation and yoga room with garden views. The hotel's culinary team embraces a farm-to-table philosophy, utilizing their organic vegetable and herb garden to create Italian and Rajasthani-inspired menus served on the covered veranda, allowing
