Forty years back in the city of Jaipur a dream was taking shape. Fond of traveling, this retired engineer belonging to one Bansal family wished to start a hotel in his adopted city. A hotel he wished would be pleasant, clean, homely and affordable to the common man. So one morning the entire family, including the engineer sons and the ladies of the household got together. To fulfill their dream. And hotel ‘Arya Niwas’ was born on a heritage property once belonging to a feudal lord of erstwhile Jaipur state. During my recent visit to the pink city of Jaipur, I opted to stay in one of their other equally attractive and centrally located property Jai Niwas Garden Hotel.
Amidst the green, chirping of birds, a touch of pink and wonderful people who run the place.
This trip was very special
It’s festive time once again in India. And you know what festivals mean to Indians spread across the length and breadth of our country. Also for all settled or working abroad as well.
But when a festival is of the global kind where thousands spanning generations of BITSians fly down from all across the world to celebrate togetherness, knowledge sharing, success, giving forward to our institution and happiness, it has to be the BITSAA Global Meet. The fifth edition of the meet held every three years, recently concluded in Birla Auditorium, Jaipur. And what a spectacular show it turned out to be. Without any doubt a classical masterpiece of how a three day event can be made so enlightening, enriching, entertaining and blissful. After all it’s BITS,Pilani. And it’s different. More about the event sometime later. Here is just a glimpse.
Check out this number & the mood that evening in Birla Auditorium
Jai Niwas Garden Hotel
Coming back to the basics, the hotel chain that started modestly has now emerged as a popular destination for travelers. If you are seeking to spend a few days amidst nature while in Jaipur, head to Jai Niwas Garden hotel. And experience perfect Rajasthani hospitality. It was nice speaking to Sushma Bansal over breakfast one morning and understand how the group evolved over the years. And it was also a pleasure chatting with Harsh Bansal over our common links with Pilani. Both the owners are such humble people and probably the reason for their success.
The group now has four other properties, a bakery from where bread and biscuits are supplied to their in-house restaurant and a food processing unit for homemade pickles & jams which you too can buy and take back. But be careful to pack it in your checked-in baggage or else the security guys at the airport won’t let you take it with you.
They took away my green chilly and red chilly pickle bottles. I pleaded but they said it was a big security threat as it could be used to sprinkle in the eyes of the crew and fellow passengers. So funny. Why would I wish to die at such an early age in a plane crash? If only I could sprinkle it in their eyes or mine and show them it was harmless because after all it was organic.
Your other stay options
Book Jai Niwas or other group hotels here on Travelwisesr Holidays
A walk around the property
Nice cozy rooms
The peaceful evenings
What’s cooking for breakfast?
The mobile is such a nuisance these days. It doesn’t even let you have your breakfast in peace, forget other meals. So let’s just quickly go around and pack our plates before the damn thing starts ringing again. And let’s hope we are lucky and it spares us today morning.
Whether your mobile rang or not, don’t forget to buy a few bottles of organic pickles and jams from the restaurant before you check out of the hotel.
Jai Niwas Lunch & Dinner
Rajasthan & food
For this delicious one above, head straight to Amaltas Restaurant in Om Niwas which is a group hotel. Or you could probably ask them if it could be delivered for you at Jai Niwas.
New friends, new conversations
You might also like reading: Back to BITS, Pilani. What’s changed?
Jai Niwas Garden Hotel. Pleasant, clean, homely and very much affordable. With a good touch of heritage and Rajasthan we all love. It was a pleasure being hosted. Would surely love to be back in one of their other properties next time around in Jaipur.
If you loved our festivity in Jaipur & Jai Niwas Garden hotel, PIN it for booking later!
This hotel looks like a good choice if visiting Jaipur. I like the look of the garden, I’m sure the views must be so pretty to wake up. The food looks colorful and tasty too.
Yes Lisa the colors of Rajasthan, India. My room was facing the lawn. And the first thing was my cup of tea and the sun. Just wonderful.
I would love to spend a few nights at the Jai Niwas Garden Hotel in Jaipur. And I would definitely try those Rajastani thali! It looks so delicious. It often pay to stay at a family owned place – they usually take better care of the property.
Yes so rightly said Natascha. The owners out their heart into their property and serving guests.
Jai Niwas Garden looks nice. I like how they put benches around the garden for guests to enjoy the garden. It will be my choice if I find myself in Jaipur.
Sure try them out when in India.
Bitsaa Global Meet looks like a lot of fun! It’s a pity they did not let you carry the chilli pickles with you. Jai Niwas garden hotel truly gives a royal feel with its unique architecture. That Rajastani thali is totally inviting! 🙂
Yes Jan it was a completely Rajasthan feel for me a state we love having studied there in Pilani.
The Jai Niwas Garden Hotel seems incredibly lovely. How soothing it is to enjoy a cup of coffee on the terrace while admiring those lovely natural wonders! Attending Indian festivities seems like a lot of fun; how I wish I could do this soon. My focus was initially drawn to the vibrant charpais and muddas since I find them to be so adorable.
Yeah it was such an amazing property and three days of wonderful celebrations with our university friends.
I have been to Jaipur twice but didn’t know about this hotel. Maybe next time I visit I can stay there. The hotel looks very welcoming, with great staff. I love that they have their own bakery from where they supply the hotel with baked goods. The room looks very cosy and perfect for a good night’s sleep.
Please do try them out next time Joanna. You should love it. Nice simple place, very reasonable prices and right in the heart of the city.
I’ve still not been to Jaipur yet and it is one of the places I’ll visit as soon as I get back to India. Jai Niwas Garden Hotel in Jaipur sounds like an awesome place to stay. It is indeed nice and cozy. Alumni meets are always awesome and I’m glad to know that you’re a BITS alumni. The Rajasthani thali at Amaltas Restaurant it totally mouth watering.
Yeah I went there after ten years and it brought back wonderful memories. The stay was simple and nice. Next time I too would have that thali.
Happy to know there are many options in terms of accommodation in Jaipur. The rooms look nice and adequate. What caught my attention are the grounds. I would love to spend the peaceful evenings there.
Also, thank you for sharing about your event. That looks so fun. That’s definitely packed with exciting activities.
Yes Clarice the event was fun as we have the largest active alumnus network in the world. And I happened to be one of the speakers as well. So it was even more fun.
The Jai Niwas Garden hotel in Jaipur is such a beautiful place with sprawling courtyards and garden and cozy interiors. It’s great to know you had a satisfying Alumni meet after years as a Bitsiaan. It’s inspiring how the owners started their venture and now they have ventured into bakery pickles and jams as well. The Rajasthani thali, pyaaz kachori and lassi look delicious!
Yes Puloma. The hotel was such a lovely place to relax. And sitting out on the bench in the garden during a winter night is something I love doing.