When you take your friends to your home state, to a place owned and managed by friends, its an expectation overload already. Welcome to The Sariska Retreat, it redefines hospitality with ease. It ticks all the expectation boxes right. Location, Hospitality, Food and things to do – all worthy of a 5 star rating! Location – easy accessibility (you’d find only 2 unassuming signboards – one at the entrance and another at the lane leading from the main road. Yes, that’s all – just follow google maps and you’d be there), from Delhi as well as Jaipur (the nearest Hubs). We drove from Gurgaon, and it was a breeze. The Monsoons added to the charm – the drive off NH48 along Sanjay Smriti van through Viratnagar is picturesque. From there it just takes 3 odd turns to get to the property. And once you get there, you’re nestled along a panoramic view of the mighty Aravalis – with a scattered hamlet of houses for company.
Park your car(s) at an unassuming parking lot (and no sooner than you’re done with it, you’re greeted by staff that’s wearing traditional local attire – and their trademark welcoming smiles). I specially love the fact that the property employs all local staff and does not insist on pompous uniforms - allowing the staff to dress in their traditional wear. A turban clad man fondly referred to as Baba, makes his way down from one of the most incredible villages (Duhaar Mala) that you’ll ever see (provided you’re game from an hour-long hike across the hill) everyday to work. Much like the rest of the villagers, as hiking is the only way to get in and out of Duhar Mala. The friendly folks of the Baba’s village offered Tea, Hookah and even Kheer (as it was Janmasthami) when I landed in the village un-announced (and even took me for getting blessing from the local deity Bhairav Naath, which I gladly did). The marvel of simplicity that the village presents is that it does not have running water or electricity yet or a commute that’s only expected; and yet the inhabitants are so happy, warm and hospitable.
From the parking, as you walk in through golden sand lined pathway and a creeper adorned archway, you are greeted by a wide-open space with a minimal build layout of a Large Dining Hall (with fabulous views of the lawns and the imposing Aravalis and farmlands) and the Rooms and Swiss Tents. A simple lemonade welcome drink so good, that it is followed by a request for a jug full by us. The luggage finds it’s way to the rooms and we head to the Pool. With a superbly efficient filtration plant (very important, specially post COVID) and a lovely thatched patio and strategically planted elephant grass offering an almost surreal setting with all the privacy you may need, it was an absolute bliss getting a swim and fun time with kids.
After working an appetite, we head to the dining hall and devour the most amazing traditional fare (reminding us why farm-to-fork can never go wrong! All the greens for the kitchen come from the property’s own farms). The manuhaar (insistence on having a good fill) is remarkably honest and genuine - something a foodie like me won’t mind one bit! The daals are so good, you would forget the non-veg fare and the Laal Maans (Lamb Currey) is so good that it drops off the bones at the mere touch of cutlery. You get the drift! The fare is simply outstanding, and the Chef is God!
Now about the rooms. Large, neat, clean and functionally appointed with wildlife prints and sparkling clean linen it’s absolutely easy to feel at home. Should you want to catch a game of soccer (that’s all I watch on TV – that too on the phone most times) like I did (or anything else), there are TVs in every room. Sleep indeed comes like a drug!
Wake up to the most surreal soundscape of peacocks and parrots and other exotic birds, head for a hike to catch the aerial view of the entire place. If you’re up for it, go all the way to the village, else go till wherever you can. The attractions of the hike include - a chit chat with the local kids taking their cattle up for grazing; prospect of marveling at the sure-footedness of the village ladies who hike up in a flash and come down with effortless ease on a rock faces (where you most likely would crawl, watching your every step worried) carrying heaps of freshly sickle chopped grass for the livestock. Drive to the Sariska National Park If your schedule permits or drive around in any direction for some amazing views. We drove to Bhangarh and were thrilled to bits with the drive and the views!
These two days were a time so cherished, that it immediately prompted us to plan the next visit as we drove out. As for my friends, I guess their expectations were not belied at all. So, thank you(s) are in order! Thank you for the hospitality, Hemant Singh and the entire staff! See you again soon, The Sariska Retreat!
