jüSTa Sajjangarh Resort & Spa, Udaipur

It is a beautiful thing to wake up in your comfortable hotel bed and look over out the window and see it there, up among the heavy monsoon clouds, in all its glory. You can’t help but hum the Octopussy theme song.

And the view of the 19th-Century Monsoon Palace really defines your stay at the newly opened JüSTa Sajjangarh Resort & Spa. While the palace is visible from almost everywhere on the property, the hotel itself is the antithesis of what you would expect of a hotel in this erstwhile princely state known for its Rajputana glory. Instead of jharokhas and intricate wall carvings, you are greeted by clean lines and an aesthetic that is minimal with pops of colour.

Art is everywhere at JüSTa Sajjangarh. Right from the sculpture on the driveway leading up to the lobby to the paintings that line the bright orange and blue walls of the hallways and the installations upcycled from car parts on the rooftop, they were all crafted by artisans from all over the world at Chitrashaala, an annual art fair that JüSTa hosts.

On the rooftop you are greeted with a wall covered in colourful graffiti where the hotel plans on holding open-mic nights. Behind it is a pub-style bar with sound-proof walls so the party can go in till late at night. Running adjacent to this space is a long bar where guests will be able to order drinks and finger food. At the far end is a gazebo that will be Udaipur’s first fine-dining Teppanyaki restaurant.

Behind the wellness centre is a 22,000sq ft terraced lawn that is as perfect for sunrise yoga classes as it is for wedding parties under a starlit sky. This, in addition to the banquet hall on the first floor makes it a perfect destination to hold all manner of events–from business conferences to a destination wedding.

If you’ve been to Udaipur before and have done the whole palace hotel experience, JüSTa Sajjangarh offers a fresh new perspective with an oldie-but-goodie view.