It has been a long time since Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas announced plans to open Six Senses Fort Barwara. Supposed to open in 2018, the opening of this plush new hotel, featuring 48 suites, was delayed and delayed, but it seems the world is finally going to get a look in September of this year.
Found in Rajasthan 68 miles southeast of Jaipur, the property is located in the village of Chauth ka Barwara on the site of a 700-year-old fort which was owned by the Rajasthani Royal Family and sits directly opposite the temple, Chauth ka Barwara Mandir, according to Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.
“This is the perfect complement to our resort portfolio which includes highly successful properties in China, Maldives, Oman, Portugal, Seychelles, Thailand and Vietnam,” said Six Senses President Bernhard Bohnenberger on the announcement of the property, noting that this is the second heritage property for Six Senses, including Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal.
The Barwara Fort itself was constructed in the 14th century by the Chauhansand was conquered by the Rajawat Dynasty from the Hadas in 1734. During World War II, Raja Man Singh from the noble family of Barwara along with Jaipur State Armed Forces fought alongside the British. In appreciation of his services he was bestowed with the title of Rao Bahadur. His grandson, Prithviraj Singh, is now restoring the fort to its previous glory in tandem with Espire Group. The project team will seek the five-star green rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) certification, the highest classification of national sustainable design ratings in India.
The 5.5 acre site is encircled by an imposing 5-foot thick rock wall that rises up to 20 feet in some sections. Inside the historic fort, three buildings which traditionally accommodated the common, men’s and women’s palaces and two temples were preserved and restored, according to press materials from Six Senses. Outside the fort, the property faces the local village to the west and protected land that will be reforested to the east.
Six Senses Fort Barwara is set to feature two restaurants, bar, and lounge, 30,000 square foot spa and fitness center, two swimming pools, banquet space, retail boutique and kids club.The design will include traditional gardens and water features. Shekhavati art will be used to depict the rich history of the fort in the landscape.
A well known wellness brand, the Six Senses Spa, located in the original women’s palace, will feature an extensive ayurveda program, meditation and Six Senses Integrated Wellness programs including Six Senses Integrated Wellness and Sleep with Six Senses.
The property is 30 minutes from the Ranthambhore National Park, one of the last places to see the Bengal Tiger in its natural environment. Ranthambhore differs from other tiger preserves and national parks in that visitors frequently spot its large, thriving tiger population. Located in the northwestern state of Rajasthan, Ranthambhore is a series of dry savannas, emerald lakes, and patchy forest framed by the peaks of the Aravili and Vindhyan Hills.
Six Senses will offer daily safari drives to the sanctuary, home to a variety of wildlife including leopard, nilgai, wild boar, sambar, sloth bear, southern plains gray langur, rhesus macaque and chital plus a wide varierty of trees, plants, birds and reptiles.
Currently the best luxury property serving this region for wildlife safaris is the 10 luxury tents of Aman-i-Khás, one of the most exclusive properties in the world. Each tent has a central living room area, which opens on to three other areas for sleeping, bathing and dressing. The “bedroom” has a king-size bed and two writing desks, while the bathing area includes a shower, soaking tub and separate toilet while the dressing area contains wardrobes and twin vanities.
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas operates 11 resorts and 31 spas in 20 countries under the brand names Six Senses, Evason and Six Senses Spas.