Best staycation ever: Weekend at The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa
I'm a bit of a Rajasthan enthusiast. It's the state I've explored {and enjoyed} the most, not because of its accessibility from Delhi but simply because how culturally and creatively enriched I feel after each visit. Pushkar had been on my list ever since I read about a certain hot-air balloon festival that happens here. The numerous colourful travelogues on the internet about the Camel Fair also had a huge role in drawing me closer to the idea of Pushkar while also creating a sense of urgency to visit the city for its sheer rustic beauty.
But why I've been really lucky is because I got to experience the said rustic beauty with a dash of luxury, thanks to The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa, a very recent addition to the star line of properties by Westin. What sets this one apart? The fact that it gives you the feel of a full-fledged lavish getaway while making you feel absolutely at home. Currently, the property has 98 beautifully decorated rooms, out of which 44 have their own private pools! The resort also has a gorgeous outdoor pool area characterised by the Moroccan style 'dome', one of the many Insta-worthy spots in the property.
Dining
While I have a lot of good things to say about the property, it was the scrumptious food that I'll commend the most. Whether it was the chef-recommended a la carte meals or their lavish buffets, I cannot praise their kitchen enough. We had most of our meals at Seasonal Tastes, the all-day dining restaurant but also got a fine taste of Panorama, the gorgeous rooftop al fresco dining, on our last night at the property. Featuring a swanky bar and comfortable couch-seating, it is aptly named since it gives you a 180 degree view of the property and that of the star-laden Pushkar skies. We had a truly memorable evening of never ending conversations, delicious munchies, chilled beers and a specially-arranged organic hookah {a no-tobacco signature at Westin}.
For evenings when drinking is the main agenda, surrender your glasses in the able hands of the mixologist at Mix. The all-day bar is best known for its crafty {and hearty} cocktails and a variety of nibbles to go along. What's more? You can actually get behind the bar and DIY your favourite cocktails at the regularly held mixology sessions! I can totes whip up a mean Orange Caprioska on my own now.
Spa and gym
The spa was yet to begin operations when I visited but I did take a small tour of it. It's got a very relaxed and calming decor and the spa menu looked extremely promising. Fitness enthusiasts are free to access the fully-equipped gym at the resort. Bonus: they plan to organise regular morning yoga and exercise sessions for the guests.
Accommodation
Westin Pushkar is a shining example 'God is in the details'. The rooms display minimalism at its best, while scoring full points in the department of comfort and luxury. I stayed at one of the Premier Villas at the property and it was an absolute delight. I was more than satisfied by the amenities provided within the room. In case you'd like to take things another notch up, book yourself a Royal villa {with a private outdoor pool} or a Luxury Villa {with an indoor pool}. You can know more about the types of rooms at offer and corresponding tariff here.
I've had a great experience at the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa and highly recommend that you give it a shot the next time you visit the city. Feel free to ask me any other questions that you may have in the comments below.
Getting there: The best way to get to the resort is via train {Ajmer Shatabdi} which takes around six hours from Delhi to Ajmer. The resort is just a 40-minute drive away from Ajmer Railway station. Jaipur is the nearest airport, Pushkar is about 145 km {about 3 hours} from there
You can totally make a road trip out of it; it is a very doable 8 hour drive from Delhi.
Tariff: Starts at INR 6000. Get a better idea here.
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