Teela

Many a traveller, upon setting foot in Jaipur, has expressed a certain disappointment at not finding the sand dunes they expected of the Rajasthan capital. Fortunately or unfortunately, the city’s long outgrown its sandy frontier days, but worry not: if the desert’s what you after, Teela offers a glimpse of it without having to travel all the way to Jodhpur or Jaisalmer. 

This one’s not for the rugged camping folks. This is luxury camping, set across a vast, untouched expanse of family-owned land, framed by the Aravallis, wild pampas grass and towering cacti. It’s admittedly an hour outside of the main city, and yes, there are network issues, but Teela’s offering something that the heritage hotels in the city can’t – a break from the fort fatigue, and a fun little escape to the wilderness. 

What are the rooms like at Teela?

There are two types of accommodation at Teela: the geodesic domes and the Luna Airstream caravans. From the outside, the domes look fairly simple. They’re made from modular steel pipes wrapped in high-density waterproof fabric with curved PVC windows, which is also your first clue that this is very much a cool-weather escape.

Inside is all very high design too. Each dome’s got a small kitchenette, a dressing area and a lounging corner set beneath the wide panoramic windows. It’s a clever balance between comfort and good design – the air-conditioning does a decent job of keeping both the hot and cold weather in check (though it doesn’t always put up the strongest fight against the peak summer heat). It’s also got some nice touches: Marshall speakers, a tea chest, a Barefoot Luxury kit, which includes artisanal toiletries. The attached bathrooms are also luxuriously fitted. No lugging yourself to the dusty outhouse here. 

The Luna Airstreams are priced higher, and come with a few added indulgences. These include a private patio where the caravan is fitted in, along with an open-air hot tub. Your butler will happily draw your bath and scatter rose petals if you’re in the mood for a little desert romance. In fact, each of the rooms come with a butler, which proves more necessary than indulgent, particularly given the hilly terrain that occasionally requires legs of steel. If you decide you’re done with trekking up and down the dunes for the day, your butler will even summon a jeep to bring you back. 

What can you do at Teela?

This is where Teela truly shines, and the property has no option but to rise to the occasion of keeping guests entertained throughout the day, given that it’s totally cut off from the city. Mornings begin with a sunrise trek, followed by breakfast by a tiny, serene lake. Evenings veer fancier, with private film screenings under the stars on a helipad that happens to be on the grounds. 

There’s a bunch of adventure activities if you’re interested, too: paintball matches in the sand, ATV circuits, Polaris drives, and exploration trails. Plus a trampoline. 

Where do you eat at Teela?

Given Teela’s remote location on the edge of Jaipur, all meals are enjoyed on the property. Lunch is served at The Rait, a sunlit concrete and glass restaurant with large windows that frame the desert. The menu brings together Indian and European influences, with a strong focus on local produce sourced from farmers in the nearby Achrol village. The kitchen’s particularly well known for generous Rajasthani thalis.

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, they’ve also got a Jungle Rasoi experience, where you can learn to make your own rotis with locals inside the forest, and later enjoy the meal on low woven beds under the warm sun. 

For dinner, guests can request a private dining experience set under the open sky, with low seating, carpets, flowers, candlelight, and a thoughtfully curated menu.