Amanbagh: An Oasis In The Aravallis That Serves Sustainable Luxury

Tucked away in the rustic folds of Rajasthan’s Alwar district, Amanbagh is not just a destination—it’s a gentle exhale. Here, life unfolds at a slower, more mindful pace where the boundaries between nature, heritage, and everyday life blur seamlessly—where luxury isn’t loud, but quietly rooted in the rhythms of the land and its people. Our car drove into Amanbagh—a true garden oasis nestled between the tiger-inhabited jungles of Sariska and the ancient forts of Rajasthan’s Aravalli Hills. After crossing a lush patch of green at the entrance, we arrived at a vaulted gateway inspired by Mughal architecture. Desert rose-hued cupolas rose above the surrounding greenery, blending harmoniously with the dramatic mountain landscape.

We alighted from the BMW that had been sent to fetch us from Jaipur airport and were greeted by a traditional floral rangoli and the soothing chant of Vedic verses—a house custom at the property. A welcome drink in hand, we stepped into a beautifully restored verandah supported by sandstone pillars holding the rooftop. There was no typical lobby chaos—check-ins at Amanbagh are done in the villas, at the guests’ convenience. From the moment we arrived, it was clear: we were entering a space of utter peace and consummate privacy.

First Glimpses of Paradise

Beyond the verandah—also used as an open-air venue for breakfast, lunch and dinner—stood the tall, swaying eucalyptus trees.  Just past them, a 33-metre rectangular pool shimmered in hues of deep blue, followed by a smaller 12-metre square spa pool. That view of the deep blue pool amidst the greens and sandstone all around instantly washed away the weariness of travel. As we made our way to our villa through a stoned walkway, we passed the lush green garden; the wafts of verdant nature’s aromas filled the air. A group of babbler birds played in the sunlight—I instinctively counted to see if they were in a group of seven. Ornithologists would have identified them by feather hues or beak shapes, but I kept asking the attendant to name the birds I spotted, my grasp of ornithology being rather basic. Each evening, like clockwork at 5 PM, peacocks and peahens would fly to settle down atop tall trees, sleeping the night over on the branches.

Living Like Royalty at Amanbagh

Our abode for the next 48 hours was the 2,185-square-foot Pool Pavilion, set amidst an oasis of fruit trees and flowering shrubs. The villa stood in elegant contrast to the stark, arid beauty of the surrounding Aravalli Hills. It came complete with a private pool, a sun-drenched terrace, and a courtyard—echoing the grandeur of countless hunting lodges once used by the Maharaja of Alwar.

Inside, a king-sized bed, large daybed, writing desk, armchairs, and a spacious dressing area with twin walk-in wardrobes conjured the mood of modern royalty. The en suite bathroom, awash with natural light, featured an opulent bathtub carved from Udaipur green marble—a centrepiece that made the space feel regal and rooted in local craftsmanship.

Amanbagh also offers slightly more compact yet elegantly appointed suites for those seeking the same serenity in a cosy space. The Terrace Haveli Suite, at 1,754 square feet, offers sweeping views of the central pool or the surrounding mountains, while the Garden Haveli Suite, measuring 1,345 square feet, features a private terrace opening out to the lush gardens.

The hotel also has thoughtfully designed facilities to make guests experience an unhurried and a self-actualised holiday. A fully equipped spa offers a range of therapies, from facials to massages or tailor-made immersive holistic wellness programmes that can extend up to 21 nights, each customised for guests. Another cozy spot in the property is the well-stocked library on the upper floor of the main building. Apart from magazines, newspapers and novels, the library also has a great collection of reference books on Indian history, arts, culture and wildlife.

Serenity and Wildlife at Amanbagh

 

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One evening, as I swam in the temperature-controlled spa pool, I watched the birds quietly find their nightspots. At dawn, they would call out to one another—a natural wake-up call that, despite its early hour, felt so calming and authentic. Then came the monkeys. The little simian brats roamed freely across the property, and by early morning, they had claimed the space as their own. As I sat down for tea beside our private pool, I spotted one monkey half-swimming already and another lounging unabashedly on a deckchair.

Fortunately, Amanbagh always has a dedicated “Monkey Man”—a uniformed staff member responsible for shooing the rebel creatures away. Speaking of staff, the service levels and willingness to help at Amanbagh was exceptional. Every interaction revealed a team that was caring, careful, and classy. They never intruded, yet someone was always nearby when needed. It was this quiet attentiveness that defines a quintessential Aman experience, which I had come to know from my past stays at Aman resorts in Tokyo, Venice, Phuket, and Galle. It’s the quiet and sophisticated luxury they offer that make it special.

Culinary Craft Meets Sustainability at Amanbagh

 

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Another highlight is their genuine focus on sustainability. On a guided tour of the in-house organic garden with Executive Chef Achman Dhupar, we were shown how virtually every leaf and herb in the salad are grown in his garden along with many fruits that are grown at an adjoining farm, that houses goats, rabbits, and chickens—all contributing to the property’s sustainable culinary program. Later that afternoon, I ordered a salad and could taste the crispness of fresh leaves plucked from the two-acre in-house garden.

The menu at Amanbagh has on offer a refined mix of local Rajasthani, North Indian, and European fare, though the kitchen can accommodate any guest preference. In the evenings, the rooftop bar provided panoramic views of the property and live folk music, adding a touch of cultural richness to the experience.

A Sunset Safari Through Village Life

 

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Amanbagh is not just a property—it’s also about curated experiences. One such excursion, the Cow Dust Trail, took us on an open jeep ride through nearby villages just before sundown around 5 pm. We were accompanied by tea, biscuits, and stories. Many of the villagers work at the hotel, after receiving intense training on the tricks of hospitality. Our driver was one of them. Quickly introducing himself as Rambo, he went on to narrate how once the French General Manager at the property, who couldn’t pronounce his actual name Ram Babu nicknamed him Rambo, that has now stayed on for years.

Rambo-ji drove us through the rustic countryside to experience the pastoral village life: golden fields of wheat, women working in ghaghras and vibrant dupattas in blending colours covering their heads and children playing outside their homes cheering as we drove past. We spotted an occasional tea stall, a peacock, a muster of peahens, and many old buildings with stories of yore. We absorbed it all, feeling rather romantic, about the whole milieu around us.

The fact that almost all the houses are pakka and young girls are dressed in comfortable clothes like their city counterparts spoke of progress and upkeep. The other striking observation was that the kids knew how to speak in basic English, as we spotted a couple of schools in the various villages; this became clear that education was being systematically passed on. We passed the village Sarpanch’s home; he was sitting across the road and catching up on some work. We stopped for a photo, realising that the son of a Sarpanch takes on the mantle—a tradition passed down for generations.

 

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As twilight descended, women returned home from the fields, some lighting fires to prepare early dinners. Children gathered around the warmth, their laughter filling the air. As we drove past some of the monuments of Ajabgarh, with stories of magic being narrated by our driver, towards Amanbagh, we felt a sense of mystique combined with quiet simplicity.

Other Excursions:

 

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Bhangarh: Just a generation after its founding, the township of Bhangarh was mysteriously abandoned—and today, it’s infamous for being one of India’s most haunted sites. Nestled amidst green lawns and towering banyan trees, the ruins preserve remnants of palaces, temples, pools, and bustling bazaars from a bygone era. A designated national heritage site, Bhangarh was built in the 17th century by Diwan Madho Singh of the Jaipur royal family. Amanbagh offers guided visits to this folkloric medieval city.

Pro tip: visit early in the morning to avoid the intense midday sun.

Sariska Tiger Reserve: Only 45 minutes by car from Amanbagh lies the Sariska Tiger Reserve, once the private hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Alwar. Today, it serves as a protected sanctuary for endangered tigers, though sightings are said to be more frequent in nearby Ranthambore. Still, Sariska is teeming with wildlife—wildcats, deer, and numerous smaller creatures thrive in its rugged landscape.

How to Reach:

Amanbagh is served by the airport of Jaipur. Guests can take a flight to Jaipur, followed by a two-hour journey by a private car. From New Delhi, it is possible to travel to Amanbagh by car, train or helicopter (the property has its own heliport).