Hotel Castle Mandawa

The Holi event was reasonably good, but the buffet was so badly managed that it was the most expensive and worst meal of our vacation. More generally, meals were a mixed bag. À la carte dishes tasted very good, though service was extremely slow and disjointed. The buffets were average for variety, taste, and quality, and the restaurant and Holi garden buffet had flies everywhere. We couldn't get chilled soft drinks or beer during our stay, and even with a limited à la carte menu, many dishes weren't available. The setting is beautiful and remains the region's biggest, grandest property, but the operation lacks basic hospitality. Our rooms and large bathrooms had poor air circulation. The bathrooms had no shower curtains or hand showers, and their clear windows had no curtains, which meant little privacy. Room supplies were inadequate for the number of guests, and we had to remind staff repeatedly. Power cuts happened often, and there weren't enough electrical outlets. Staff seemed untrained in handling requests and complaints, and information was hard to get because employees often didn't know the answers or communicate them clearly. Foreign group tours seemed to get preferential treatment. We left feeling underwhelmed and as if we'd paid too much.

We had a memorable stay in a lovely old palace hotel. Its spacious rooms still have a historic, luxurious feel, and the restaurant food was very good, though room service took a little while. At night we enjoyed a bonfire, and the sunset view safari is well worth recommending. There's also a brilliant guided tour about the castle's history. Only after arriving did we learn that quite a few famous Bollywood films had been shot here, including Jab we met, Mimi, and Shekhawati.

The rooms let through even small noises from next door. Our neighbors had their TV music up so loud we couldn't sleep. Aside from that, the property was amazing and came as a real surprise. We stayed overnight after visiting shree balaji temple, and enjoyed the puppet show, Rajsthani music, and delicious food.

The staff were friendly, looked after our needs with a smile, and made us feel at home. Wi-Fi was free and worked throughout the property, though it was slow. The TV stuck in the corner of the room was barely usable. The castle itself is striking, with intricate frescoes and historic details, and the property's character won me over at first. But the stay went downhill fast. It feels as though the place hasn't decided whether it's a museum or a hotel, and the hotel side doesn't justify its premium prices. Areas seem neglected, upkeep is questionable, and the facilities feel like afterthoughts. The gym was a dusty collection of broken, abandoned equipment in a depressing room. The swimming pool was the only saving grace. A wedding group was staying during my visit and played extremely loud music late into the night. The bass shook the walls and made sleep impossible. The hotel either has no noise rules or doesn't enforce them, and that ruined what should have been a peaceful heritage stay. Mandawa is an interesting open-air gallery town in the Shekhawati region, and the castle is right in its heart, within easy walking distance of the painted havelis. Getting there takes about 3-4 hours from Jaipur and even longer from Delhi. The rural surroundings add an authentic feel, but leave few alternatives for food or amenities if you want to get away from the property. Meals were another major letdown. A basic meal that might cost ₹600-700 elsewhere was ₹1000-1200 here, with tiny portions that left me hungry. The average hotel food didn't come close to justifying those prices, and with few nearby options, it felt like they knew guests were stuck. Breakfast was disappointing and repetitive, and by the end I felt gouged. The rooms have high ceilings and traditional decor, but the water was genuinely cold in my shower. Hot water is a basic need, even in a heritage hotel. Fixtures were dated, maintenance problems showed, and some rooms seem better kept than others, so it's a gamble. The beds were acceptable, but for this price the overall condition was unacceptable.