The Clement Dune Retreat, Jamba offers an opportunity to experience this perfection in the stunning barrenness of the desert landscape where you can feel the exquisite beauty around you take over all your senses. Located between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, well off the tourist trail in the remote Thar Desert; Dera Dune Retreat, Jamba adds a point of difference to a tour of Western Rajasthan. Named for the nearby village of Jamba, Dera Dune Retreat has 18 stylishly appointed cottages decorated in royal Rajasthan style, a swimming pool to beat the desert heat and sweeping views of the desert. One amongst just a few luxury resorts in the world situated on top of a nearly 100 foot high sand dune, Dera Dune Retreat, Jamba is approachable by 4WD vehicles only. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit local craftsmen and artisans in their own homes.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Hidden Gem
Luxury
Languages Spoken
English, Hindi
Location
Charnai Village Jamba, Tehsil Phalodi, Jodhpur 342301 India
There are some places you visit that are so exceptional that there are not sufficient words to describe them other than to say they seem like a little piece of heaven on Earth. Dera Dune is one of those. Situated on a hill in the Thar Desert this retreat offers excellent food, stunning views and quite remarkable service. The food is quite delicious with a wide range of beautifully cooked Indian and some western dishes. The cook also gives fascinating cookery demonstrations and while we were there also served some typical street food before dinner on one evening. The views from the hilltop are amazing and rides out into the desert in jeeps or by camel help you to understand and appreciate what can be a hostile environment, yet one in which many people live. There is a pool and plenty of place to sit and soak up the peace and quiet. Rooms are well appointed, each one being in a separate bungalow with a large bedroom and shower room/toilet. The service is superb with everyone working together not only to get what you need, but even to anticipate those needs. The staff are remarkable. This is undoubtedly one of the best places we have stayed in and we shall want to come back.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â All rooms are equally good
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ClementRetreats, General Manager at Dera Dune - The Clement Retreats
Responded 17 Feb 2020
It is our pleasure to hear from you Mr. Richard. Infeed great to know that you feel in love with this place. Would surely lool forward to your next visit.
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If you are looking for somewhere to relax, unwind, and simply recharge your physical and spiritual batteries, then look no further!
Its location, set atop a small hill surrounded by the Thar Desert, is one that naturally makes one just stop and gaze out at the natural beauty for hours, catching glimpses of simple village life of the local inhabitants in the distance, or simply taking in the mesmerising change of light that takes your breath away whilst watching the sun set.
I spent 4 nights here, and would have happily have stayed longer, and it is well worth the 3+ hour drive from Jodhpur.
The staff were incredible, friendly and welcoming, all of whom seem to be very happy in their work and want to go the extra mile to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
The food was excellent, simple, almost home-style, and always incredibly tasty - there was no risk of going hungry! Cookery demonstrations were offered and enjoyed. Dining under the stars was offered on one night, whilst on another a stand was set up offering safe examples of Traditional Street food to be enjoyed with a glass of gin and tonic before supper.
We were treated to traditional music and dancing one evening, as well as having the opportunity to travel out into the deserts both by jeep, as well as part of a camel train (with camel drawn carts offered for those who didn't quite fancy riding up top on their "ships of the deserts"). A morning excursion to see the thousands of migratory demoiselle cranes is a must.
The rooms themselves, eacha a small bungalow designed to look like local homes are comfortable and well appointed. They benefit from both air conditioning and heating, with a lovely touch of hot water bottles in the beds in the chilly evenings.
A wonderful experience and somewhere I cannot wait to return to.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â The swimming pool is very cold, despite the warm daytime temperature. Bring warm clothing for...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Clement Retreats, General Manager at Dera Dune - The Clement Retreats
Responded 12 Dec 2020
Thank you for the kind words. We hope once life gets back to normal, you start your travels again and keep exploring the wonderful planter called "Earth". With Best Regards Abhiraj
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I travelled here as part of a group and with my mother. We were lucky enough to have the whole place to ourselves. Looking out from our high vantage point over 360 views of unspoilt desert, only distant sounds of bells, children, bird and prayer call breaking the peace. It felt like stepping back in time, echoes of my grandparents who loved to visit this area in the 1940’s where so much has remained unchanged.A fabulous place to come to write, to paint, to meditate or just to kick back and interact with local people and learn something of their Bishnois culture. You will be utterly spoilt as the service here is tremendously good, led by the very courteous & engaging director Abhiraj and his friendly & efficient team. We were made to feel extremely comfortable, our roomy thatched cottages were well equipped & the hot water bottle provided at night was a delightful surprise after several chilly evenings spent stargazing around fires. Exciting jeep safaris crossing acres of salt pans and dunes took us to see the various tribespeople and their handicrafts giving us a better insight into their lives and how they manage to survive in this,at times,most hostile environment. Watching the thousands of elegant Demoiselle Cranes coming in to feed just beyond Phalodi was mesmerising. Their numbers have rocketed thanks to one man’s fervent dedication over many years, a true success story. Invited in to watch a class at work and meet some of the children at the local school was a real treat as was our fabulous sunset camel safari. No expense was spared as we were guided through the outlying village & then met by the team at the summit of a dune with chairs and drinks awaiting us. We had no shortage of food throughout our stay, cooked in various ways - street food, sand cooked food and some cookery demonstrations, all of which was delicious. No one will go hungry here! For the more intrepid travellers searching for some r and r in stunningly beautiful and peaceful surroundings then this retreat must surely tick all the boxes. It affords the imagination to run wildly and creates a whirlwind on the senses, intoxicating. It is one of those rare places that crept under my skin and was hard to leave, my mother felt the same. My son is now eager to explore the hidden wonders of the Thar desert, its people, landscape & wildlife. A thousand thanks to all involved in helping to make our 4 day visit so amazing & unforgettable . We hope to return soon. 5 stars 🌟
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Clement Retreats, General Manager at Dera Dune - The Clement Retreats
Responded 12 Dec 2020
Thank you for the kind words. We hope once life gets back to normal, you start your travels again and keep exploring the wonderful planter called "Earth". With Best Regards Abhiraj
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Built strategically on a dune away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Dera Dune was a very pleasant surprise. Starting with the rugged drive in through the scrubland, we were welcomed warmly by Abhiraj and his team with cold towels and refreshing welcome drinks. We were quickly taken to our well appointed cottage with ensuite large bathrooms. The attention to detail in the rooms and amenities was impressive. Following lunch which was a fantastic Rajasthani Thali we set off for an evening safari with Abhiraj spotting wild camel, chinkara, shy Desert Fox, a variety of birds, also an understanding of the Bishnoi way of life, visiting local craftsman and interactions with famillies in the village and understanding their life. This was followed by a camel cart ride ending with viewing a beautiful sunset from atop a dune with coffee and snacks. A magical experience. The poolside was beautifully decorated for the evening for a folk artists performance, the weather was cool and perfect, the sky was so clear, we could see the stars and it was very quiet and peaceful. Just what was needed to relax and wind down. The visit to the graceful Demoiselle Cranes, more than 25000 of them feeding, was a unique experience, not to be missed. Abhiraj also introduced us to the man who has worked hard to ensure the safety and well being of these migratory birds. During our stay, we were well cared for, almost spoilt by Abhiraj and his very warm and friendly staff. We were able to step back in time, unwind, listen to birds and just enjoy the stunning views of the rugged dunes and desert. The variety of meals offered is delicious with local flavours. Everything is top notch and efficient and we have nothing but praise and appreciation. Thank you for the memorable experience.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â The corner rooms have a birds eye view of the dunes
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Clement Retreats, General Manager at Dera Dune - The Clement Retreats
Responded 12 Dec 2020
Dear Betsy Ma'am, Ram Ram! Thank you for your kind words. These lovely feedbacks of yours shall surely keep me and my team in going that extra mile for our beloved guests. With Best Regards Abhiraj
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We stayed at Dera Dune for 4 nights in December and there couldn't have been a better, more bespoke and relaxing way to have ended the year.
The GM, Abhiraj was available from the time of our prelim booking until we reached and throughout the trip his attention to detail and warmth of hospitality has spoilt us for choice. We booked the full board experience with the experiences and they were spellbinding.
The location in itself is offbeat, away from the commercial holiday mode and makes you feel completely at ease. We had a curated lunch in the middle of the dessert, a little tea amidst the salt pans, a crackling fire every night and exceptional home style food.
Must thank the lovely staff of Pintu, PubG, Hari, Pukhraj and others in the backend as well.
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Date of stay: December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Clement Retreats, General Manager at Dera Dune - The Clement Retreats
Responded 4 Jan 2021
Ram Ram Nitya ma'am, Such lovely words are what keeps the moral of the staff high boosted. It was. Indeed a pleasure having you stay with us at Dera Dune. We hope to see you visit us again soon! Best regards Abhiraj
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Travelled here in a group. We were greeted by the director, Abhiraj Singh Hada, a very enthusiastic man to have in charge and his team of merry men. Nothing was too much trouble for him. We stayed in the huts near the pool, which were comfortable and well appointed. In February, when we stayed, the days were warm but the nights after sunset were cool. Heaters were provided in the rooms as well as hot water bottles in the beds each night. A small but most welcome touch. Tea making facilities were also available in the rooms. We visited local villages by jeeps to watch the locals at work; a potter at one and weavers at another where we could purchase their wares. We also visited a local school where the children were all very smart in their uniforms, having an English lesson. Sunsets were amazing. We were there 4 nights watching them over the pool at the resort, the salt pans and one night we had a camel ride in the desert and watched in the dunes in isolation; sheer magic. The early morning ride to see the migratory Demosille Cranes was unbelievable.....words can not express the wonderful sight and sound. We weren’t on the go the whole time, having plenty time for r & r around the pool, reading, listening to the quiet, and completely winding down. Seemed like a million miles from anywhere, the 360 views were truly amazing. A truly wonderful experience. Thank you .
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Date of stay: February 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Clement Retreats, General Manager at Dera Dune - The Clement Retreats
Responded 12 Dec 2020
Thank you for the kind words. We hope once life gets back to normal, you start your travels again and keep exploring the wonderful planter called "Earth". With Best Regards Abhiraj
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We picked a dessert holiday as summer set in. Most folks thought we were mad to go in the middle of the dessert at 40 degrees but honestly it was the best decision ever due to this amazing property. Ms. Anjali who runs this place was warm, thoughtful and informative. Our arrival was welcomed with cold towels and a cool lemonade and this was kept ready everytime we stepped out and got back into the resort. The staff are courteous, food delicious and with a good variety in the menu. They organized a lovely visit to the salt pens, potters home, village tour and an amazing dessert safari with a little adventurous dune bashing, visit to the carpet makers beautiful home too. We spotted some dessert fox and camels and deers of course. The carpet maker also had a lovely collection of carpets you could buy from and nothing like buying products straight from the hands of a craftsman. The property during sunset is gorgeous and the view of stars in the night sky was magical. There is a lovely shade book outdoors with a bed you can chill on and read a book too. I will highly recommend you go visit this place and this was more og a highlight of our trip than actual Jodhpur itself. Thank you for making our holiday memorable.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We arrived to this property by small jeeps as the dunes kept larger vehicle out. Our host, Abhiraj Singh Hada, was delightful, informative and went above all expectations to make our visit meaningful and memorable. The staff and food was lovely, the sundowners a little beyond imagining. after a camel ride, we arrived at a semi circle of rattan chairs and a bar set out for our enjoyment to watch the sun set over the dessert. Informative talks and performances, helped to better understand this ancient and colorful culture. This was a beautiful and refreshing pause from the wildly stimulating urban areas of India.
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Date of stay: February 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from ClementRetreats, General Manager at Dera Dune - The Clement Retreats
Responded 17 Feb 2020
Ma'am it was indeed a pleasure to host you. It's just beyond wonderful for me to know that we were able to make your stay a memorable one. Hope you plan your next trip to the tranquil place soon.
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We were invited by Mr Abhiraj to Dera Dunes and boy am I glad that we accepted it. It was by far one of the best experience I've had in terms of getting pampered. So much so that I lost money in jaisalmer booking to continue our stay here.
Staff is super nice... Food is just like home cooked and personal attention given to smallest of small things is impeccable.
The attitude of everyone was "yes we can" and they made sure they met every single small request of yours even before you made it.
I highly recommend this amaZing resort.
Keep up the great work team.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Clement Retreats, General Manager at Dera Dune - The Clement Retreats
Responded 4 Jan 2021
Hi Mr. Bobby Wish you a very happy new year! Thank you for such a lovely feedback! The entire teams awaits your arrival again with your photography tour. And for sure the GoPro 360 trail in pending and shall be done on your next trip. Best Regards Abhiraj
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If you are looking for amazing experiences in the desert backed with personalized hospitality, it can't get better than this.
The drive to this place sets the mood and satiates your self drive adventure. The property is unique as it located at the top of a sand dune. All pictures posted by the management were so accurate and not misleading at all.
The rooms and bathroom are lovely and comfortable. All architecture is native inspired and locally sourced. I've can feel the pain that the owners have taken to build it up. Even after 20 years of existence, everything looks so fresh.
The dining hall is lovely. The swimming pool takes your breath away especially in the night. Go when it's full moon and see the magic unfold. The bonfire under the stars is just perfect.
There is so much to do here. I recommend atleast 3 Nights here. We saw wildlife so easily starting from a deer, blue bull, peacocks, wild cat, fox, wild rabbit and also a snake when we went hiking on the sand dunes. If you have never climbed a sand dune where is the opportunity to do it. Dune bashing in the bolero jeep and visiting the dhanis meeting the tribal people was such and authentic experience. We bought few hand woven daris from them.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Clement Retreats, General Manager at Dera Dune - The Clement Retreats
Responded 11 Dec 2020
Dear Mr. Tejbir, Ram Ram! We hope that you and ma'am are keeping well and safe! A big hearted thank you for such a beautiful and detailed feedback. Though this time you stayed with us for a short period, I hope to see you and ma'am staying with us again soon and giving us the opportunity to help you explore & discover this untouched beauty of Rajasthan. With Best Regards Abhiraj Hada
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There are more places to choose from in the Jodhpur area.
LOCATION
IndiaRajasthanJodhpur DistrictJodhpur
NUMBER OF ROOMS
16
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