Golden Memoirs

Akanksha Maker tours the Rajasthani city with a hint of luxury.

- Akanksha Maker

After recently visiting Jaipur and Udaipur, Rajasthan hailed me back yet another time. This time to a destination that had remained on my bucket list for too long — Jaisalmer. As the airport here is not in operation, travellers fly to Jodhpur and drive on National Highway 11 towards Jaisalmer for 239km. From Mumbai there is only one flight per day to Jodhpur that is operated by Air India. It arrived at around 11am where my ride to Jaisalmer was waiting for me.

The car sent to me by Marriott Resort Jaisalmer (marriott.com) was equipped with wifi, USB charging points, an iPad loaded with music, neck pillows, eye masks and snacks. This rather long journey of four and a half hours was breezy, thanks to these amenities.

As we approached the outskirts of Jaisalmer, the winding highway got replaced by yellow sandstone buildings that are synonymous with this city — attributing to its title of “Golden City”. Soon we arrived at the gates of Marriott Resort Jaisalmer. A traditional vermilion dot was placed on my forehead and a refreshing drink welcomed me into the white marble lobby. I particularly liked the age-old haveli (mansion) door that embellishes a stark wall, apart from antique curios and elaborate light installations.

The lengthy journey called for a relaxing evening in my Jaisalmer Marriott suite, where a plate of traditional Rajasthani sweets accompanied an espresso from the Nesspreso machine in the living room. The suite’s master bedroom is attached to a large bathroom with a bathtub that was decorated with rose petals.