http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33348
We couldn't believe our luck at finding such a gem of a hotel among the hundreds on offer in Jaipur. We weren't the only ones, though, as it was hyper busy in reception with people coming and going... this was the only place in India (so far) where the staff on reception were fast, efficient and courteous. Checking in and out was easy and they helped us with transport and maps. A number of people seemed to be staying at the hotel on a long-term basis.

We stayed twice, with a trip to Agra in between (see my review of the Tourists Rest House there). We were offered a choice of rooms on our first visit, the super deluxe with a balcony and the deluxe without. The cheaper room was twice the size of the first, high-ceilinged and prettily decorated in Rajasthani style, with a bath and shower. It was high up on the roof, overlooking an atrium. To get to the restaurant we walked through a trickling water feature on the roof and peered over balustrading into the garden below. It was a lovely place to sit and relax.

Food here is from a self-service canteen (tip: take a pen and write out the order yourself - it'll be quicker and you are less likely to have mistakes in your order). The food was a little hit and miss, but mostly very good indeed. We ate in the garden under the stars at night and in the shade of the flowery border in the morning.

A great choice in a great city the Arya Niwas is so good we would go back again.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33348 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32690 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32690 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21591 Difficult to overstate the friendliness of this place.
They will pick you up from the train station for free.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21591 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20448
The staff are friendly and very helpful, they'll present you with a map of the area and tourist sites when you check in and no request is too difficult for them to fulfill.

The guest house has big rooms (most come with balconies), large comfy beds and hot running water (all the time) all for a low price. Most rooms are under 1000 rupees per night, but there are cheaper rooms on the ground floor (no windows). They also serve really good cheap food (and have room service), and have cheap internet and laundry services.

There's also a well maintained rooftop terrace which is nice for evening drinks. It's about 30 rupees from the train station by rickshaw.

Most people try to stay at the Hotel Pearl Palace in Jaipur, but trust me, this is as good an alternative.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20448 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12649
The staff were a bit indifferent (apart from the very friendly room cleaning man) but if asked, would organise what you wanted. Being left alone by the staff in some ways was a welcome break from constantly being asked where you were going and whether you wanted a lift (at a price of course !).

The location was in a quiet residential part of town which was about a 15 min drive into Jaipur but there were always autorickshaw drivers outside to take you where you wanted.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12649 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12614
When you are in this hotel, you feel as if you are royalty. Everyone seems to know and be close with everyone, and servants are willing to wait on your every need.

I plan on coming back to India simply to visit this wonderful family and their luxurious hotel once again. Ranvijay, the hotel manager, will go to any length to see that you are satisfied with your stay in his hotel.

Visit the hotel, or at the very least, stop by simply to eat a meal on the rooftop of this castle.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12614 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12375
Incrediably cheap - it cost me the grand total of just under £30.00 (room/food/drinks) for a four-day stay in a hotel which can only be described as a work of art.

The staff are wonderful (with a capital W) and, unlike the four-star hotel I stayed in Agra, who were hell bent on chiselling every last rupee out of me, they bend over backwards to ensure that you get a fair deal.

I cannot reccomend this hotel enough. I for one, will be returning as soon as I can.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12375 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7331 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7331 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1178
The building itself is beautiful; a small, gorgeously restored haveli with astonishing attention to detail (handpainted fresco walls that have to be redone after every monsoon), and a great pool.

The food is fantastic, the chef will listen to anything you have to say, then knock up something wonderful (ask him for his excellent off-the-menu Rajasthani thali, only Rs300 for 2).

But it's the staff that make this jewel of a place so special; they're kind and caring and friendly and considerate, especially Abdul, the head houseboy and Hanuman his sidekick.

They don't yet have a drinks licence, but there's a beer shop around the corner, and the guys don't mind you bringing it into the hotel at all; there's a fridge in each room. Plus, there's plans for a bar in a few months.

So good we went back again a week later! Note, the website pics were taken before the pool was built.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1178