Shikarbadi Hotel, a royal retreat of the
HRH Group of Hotels, Udaipur,
Takes you into its quiet fold for a
memorable weekend of heritage holidays
The Economic Times, July, 11th 2002
I was being closely watched, even as I was combing my hair in front of a huge mirror. The adult langur seated atop my window sill was looking me straight in the eye, following my every movement.
I was in a spacious room facing the jungles of Shikarbadi in the newly-built extension of the Shikarbadi Hotel situated barely 5 kms from Udaipur's city centre. The walls of the room, made of unpainted, natural rough-hewn rocks, are decorated with framed prints of birds of shikar. A comfortable rocking chair is placed invitingly between the bed and the picture window, close to the round oak table with carved legs.
The hills of the Aravali mountain range form a picturesque backdrop as a steady stream of wild visitors perch themselves by turn on the window sill. In a couple of hours I spotted deer, neelgai, wild boar and dozens of peacocks, and many smaller birds like the koyal and wild pigeon, traversing a marshy lake that once used to brim with water.
Shikarbadi was the hunting lodge of the royal family of Mewar, built in the early 1930s. The main hunting lodge with six rooms was converted into a hotel in 1976, while the adjoining jungle was declared a private deer park and wildlife reserve. The polo pavilion and ground have been converted into a private airstrip and air control tower while the cricket ground is still used for matches. Visiting European teams also play here regularly every year. Polo horses are bred and housed in the stud farm. The paddocks, exercise ring and stables add a special equestrian touch to the lodge.
Today, with the extension, the hotel owned and run by the HRH Group of Hotels, offers chalet style accommodation in 25 air-conditioned rooms and suites, all faring the deer park and reserve. From the rooms one can watch, at fairly close quarters, animals and birds that come to the watering ponds in the mornings and evenings. The walls of the Wilderness Bar in the main building are decorated with old photographs of cricket and polo matches that were played here. There are also sepia-tinted photographs of the royal family's conquests during hunting expeditions. Tigers shot here can be seen spread eagled on the walls, preserved for posterity.
The main building has a charming double staircase, leading to the first floor, progressing upwards in a semicircle from either side of the lobby. The bar upstairs overlooking the Beer Garden is cozy; the high-ceiling rooms are large, each different from the other.
All the buildings, including the reception and office, are encased in brilliant magenta bougainvillea; the tiled roofs and the flame of the forest in full bloom make a beautiful and peaceful setting, ideal for a leisurely stress-free holiday. Shri Arvind Singhji Mewar, the present custodian of the House of Mewar, lived here in Shikarbadi till recently.
The food is authentic, simple and wholesome, pleasantly reminiscent of circuit house fare. Baithak restaurant looks out into the mountains and jungle, and if you're lucky, you could be supping with peacocks and deer for company. The entrance is framed by a small swimming pool. The Cheetal restaurant faces the Deer Park. Campfires and barbecues can be organised at the Risala, an open-air restaurant. The Shikarbadi is ideal for business conferences, for a quiet weekend getaway or even for family holidays.
Horse-riding and safaris are also available. Plans are afoot to introduce aero-adventure sports at the newly-fashioned private airstrip whose runways are decorated with brightly painted matkas for markers.
So, if you happen to own a little aircraft, take-off right into nature's wonderland.
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