RAAS in Jodhpur - Hotel Review with Photos

India › Jodhpur Hotels › Raas Review
Updated: March 23, 2022
By Santorini Dave

Essentials
• Location: Makrana Mohalla, next to the Stepwell.
• Hotel website: raashotels.com
• Hotel phone: +91 (0)291 263 6455
• Check prices for Raas

Almost resort-like with its modern rooms, heated pool, and huge grounds, Raas is surprisingly located in the heart of Jodhpur.

Raas – Uniquely spacious and modern, almost like a resort, yet within the Old City.

This hotel is extraordinary because it’s so large and so contemporary, even though it’s based around an 18th-century guesthouse along a narrow alley deep within the Old City. The Raas tries (not always successfully) to mix the old with the new, but it does feature things unseen elsewhere in the area: lush gardens, choice of restaurants, substantial spa, guest lounges converted from stables, and a resort-like pool (the only one in Jodhpur heated for winter). All rooms are spacious, fashionable, and comfortable, and most provide direct views of the magnificent fort from private gardens or balconies. What’s more, it’s in a prime area of the Old City, with the finest selection of cafés, bars, and shops almost at the hotel gates.

Raas – The Location

Address: Sutharo Ka Bass Road, in an area called Makrana Mohalla, in the northern part of the Old City. Alongside the hotel entrance, Stepwell (known locally as Tunwarji ka Jhalra) is a very useful landmark. The RAAS is not signposted, but the entrance is unmistakable.
Area: In a classier area of the Old City, but still fairly chaotic. The finest selection of cafés and shops in the Old City are within a 1-minute walk.
How to Get There: About 6 km (15-minute drive) from the airport. At the attractive (and low-key) terminal, there are pre-paid booths for taxis and auto-rickshaws, but note: taxis normally cannot enter the Old City, though they may be able to reach Raas. The train terminal (2 km) and main bus station (3 km) are also easily accessible by auto-rickshaw.
Handy to: Old City. Mehrangarh Fort.

Raas – The Basics

Guests: Caters for tour groups and business people, although independent travelers of all ages would feel at home, including families.
Views: Standard rooms face the garden, but all others provide direct views of Mehrangarh Fort from private gardens on the ground floor or balconies elsewhere.
Private Pools/Jacuzzis: Not really expected (or provided) at a smallish inner-city hotel like this in Jodhpur.
Kitchen: The Stepwell Suite features a kitchenette.
How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
Phone: +91 (0)291 263 6455
Email: reservations@raasjodhpur.com
Website: raashotels.com

Raas – Amenities

Pool: Sizable and inviting, like those found at beach resorts. Temperature-controlled, so it’s usable any time of the year.
Spa: Only hotel in the Old City with a proper spa. Gorgeous and relaxing setting, but not much offered except massages.
Fitness Center: Perhaps not really expected, although there is a spa.
Other Facilities: Boutiques. Guest lounges.

Raas – Food and Drink

Restaurants & Bars: Baradari – Informal, open all day, and alongside the pool. Al fresco dining under white umbrellas or air-conditioned inside. Home-grown organic ingredients and some Thai dishes. • Darikhana – On an upper-level for superb fort views. Especially romantic at dinner when the fort is lit up.
Breakfast: Not normally included, but this depends on the room and how it was booked.
Room Service: Available 24/7.

Raas – Rooms

Room Types: Garden Rooms • Luxury Rooms • Duplex Suites • Heritage Suites • Stepwell Suite (1 only) • List of all Rooms
Smoking Rooms: No smoking in the rooms or public areas.
Best Room: The 1-only Stepwell Suite is so delightful, but the outdoor seating area offers more views of Stepwell than the fort.
For Families: The single Stepwell Suite features a second bedroom designed for children, 2 bathrooms, and a kitchenette. All other suites can convert the sofas into single beds, and the Duplex Suites can accommodate families of 4 without feeling cramped.

Raas – Local Transport

Walking: The Old City is fascinating to wander around, but there are no sidewalks, so pedestrians share the scarily narrow streets and alleys with maniacal motorcyclists and anarchic auto-rickshaw drivers. Watch out for huge piles of fresh cow dung.
Public Transport: Nothing of use for tourists anywhere in Jodhpur.
Taxis & Auto-rickshaws: Taxis (unmetered) can be ordered at the reception for longer day-trips, but usually can’t enter the Old City – although they may be able to reach this hotel. Auto-rickshaws are best for going anywhere in Jodhpur, and can be found at the hotel gates. Taxis and auto-rickshaws can also be ordered through the Ola and Uber apps.

Raas – What’s Nearby?

Best Nearby Restaurants & Bars

The Stepwell Café – Along the same lane as the Open House. More spacious seating and loftier views, but a little pricey. Owned by the RAAS hotel.
Jharokha 360 – Rooftop of the incongruous modern building. Broad views and classy Indian food.
Open House Cafe – Quaint, inviting, and directly overlooking Stepwell. For Indian, Chinese, and western meals. And beer available.
Also worth a short walk are these places in and around the historic Pal Haveli hotel. Head up the street (away from Stepwell) and turn sharp right at the junction. Total of 350m from the entrance to the RAAS. Next to Pal Haveli is the excellent Café Sheesh Mahal (coffee, sandwiches, and people-watching), and inside the Pal Haveli are Indique (Jodhpur’s premier rooftop setting) and 18th Century Bar (charming colonial-era vibe).

Nearby Shops & Markets

Facing Stepwell are some surprisingly classy boutiques that could even be described as ‘chic’. Sardar Market, opposite the Pal Haveli hotel (see above), is clean, quiet, and hassle-free, so it’s fun to explore. Based around the iconic Clock Tower, the market is open all day every day. (350m).

Nearby Attractions

Jaswant Thada – Also known as the Taj Mahal of Mewar, a marble marvel amidst lush, landscaped gardens and next to a serene lake. The intricate marble lattice screens as well as the city views are superb. Easily paired with a visit to the Mehrangarh Fort. 9 am to 5 pm. (2.5 km).
Mehrangarh Fort – Magnificent attraction dominates the Old City. The main entrance is about 3km by auto-rickshaw. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
Umaid Bhawan Palace – An architectural marvel; one part of the palace still serves as a Royal Family residence, the rest has been converted to the Taj Hotel and museum. Only the museum is open to the public, and it’s very popular for the vintage car and clock collections and vast gardens with peacocks. Great spot for a romantic meal. 10 am to 4.30 pm. (6 km).
Mandore Garden – Historic garden, home to beautiful empty tombs of the Royal Family. The Hall of Heroes, temple of 330 Million Gods, and Government Museum are worth seeing. Visitors can also explore the Mandore Fort ruins or have a picnic on the grounds. Located just outside the city. (7 km).

Raas – The Hotel

The hotel is located in a quiet and shady part of the Old City.

The Raas hotel is along a comparatively quiet and shady street in the Old City.

The hotel entrance is unmarked but unmistakable as well.

Surprisingly, the hotel entrance is not marked, but is unmistakable nonetheless.

The modern hotel is built around an 18th-century guesthouse.

The RAAS is the only modern hotel in the Old City, although it’s built around an 18th-century guesthouse.

Surprisingly, the hotel has plenty of space for boutiques, lawns, and gardens.

The hotel is able to provide space – including boutiques, lawns, and gardens – unseen anywhere in the Old City.

The poolside Baradari restaurant lacks views.

Of the 2 restaurants, the poolside Baradari is more casual and doesn’t offer views of the fort that the Darikhana restaurant does.

The large pool is the only one in the entire city that is temperature-controlled.

The pool is fairly large and the only one in Jodhpur that is temperature-controlled. Hence, it can still be used during the surprisingly chilly winter months.

The spa offers a gorgeous setting but little more than massages.

The decent spa at the back of the hotel grounds offers a gorgeous setting, but little more than massages.

The lounge areas face the gardens and pool.

Facing the gardens and pool are inviting lounge areas (converted from horse stables).

Most rooms have porches, balconies, or private gardens.

Most rooms feature porches or balconies, and those on the ground floor also have private gardens.

Except for those in the lowest category, all types of rooms offer views of the fort.

The spacious rooms sport a modern decor.

Rooms are spacious and feature a modern décor.

All rooms come with sitting areas that can sleep 1-2 guests.

Each room also has a sitting area that can convert into 1 or 2 extra single beds.

Rooms have a delightful combination of traditional and modern.

Rooms are a delightful combination of old and new, with the expected mod-cons as well as Rajasthani prints on the walls.

The ancient Stepwell pond is right next to the hotel.

A major landmark is Stepwell, an ancient pond and square virtually next to the hotel gates.

Open House Café in the Old City serves good food and beer.

Facing Stepwell, only 50m from the hotel gates, the Open House Café is welcoming and breezy. It also serves beer.

The hotel-run The Stepwell Café is comfortable but pricey.

A little pricey, but with comfortable seating and fine views, The Stepwell Café is run by the RAAS. It overlooks the namesake pond.

Jharokha 360 is a rooftop cafe with a classy Indian menu and excellent views.

On the top floor of the modern building opposite Stepwell, Jharokha 360 is a chic bistro.

Café Sheesh Mahal nearby is excellent for coffee, tea, or sandwiches.

Certainly worth a short walk is Café Sheesh Mahal alongside the Pal Haveli hotel. Head up the street from the RAAS, take a sharp right, and continue for a total of about 350m.

Indique rooftop restaurant at Pal Haveli has the best views.

Inside the Pal Haveli hotel, Indique is the premier rooftop restaurant for panoramic views of the market, city streets, and fort.

There are fashionable boutiques around the Stepwell.

The area around Stepwell offers some surprisingly fashionable boutiques.

The fort's main entrance is 2.5km from the hotel.

The main entrance to the majestic Mehrangarh Fort is about 3km from the hotel.

Allow plenty of time – at least half a day – to explore the incredible fort.

Sunset views of the magnificent fort are impressive.

The fort looks even more impressive for a few hours after sunset.

The Clock Tower in Sardar Market is a prominent landmark.

The Clock Tower is a prominent landmark. Head up the street from Stepwell and take a sharp right at the junction. Total of about 350m from the RAAS.

The Clock Tower is in the middle of the clean, safe, and quiet Sardar Market.

Auto-rickshaws are popular in the Old City.

There are always plenty of auto-rickshaws around the Old City. Check rates and availability: Raas

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About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave Author Bio. Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. We also make hotel maps and travel videos. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.

Hotel Raas in Jodhpur, India

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