BARE & BEAUTIFUL

In Ajabgarh’s rugged Aravalli terrain, Ananta Spa & Resort—developed by the Jaipur-based Goyal family—takes a deliberate departure from traditional Rajasthani palace-style hospitality.

- ANKITA RATHOD

With elemental architecture and site-sensitive planning, the resort prioritises restraint, privacy, and a deep connection to the land

It’s six in the evening, and we’re on our way back after a two-day whirlwind schedule to shoot the brand-new Ananta Spa & Resort in Ajabgarh. The photographer—who had been up since 7 a.m. capturing the stunning shots you'll see in this feature—is now fast asleep beside me as we race toward Jaipur airport, hoping to make the last flight out. It’s only now, as the sun dips behind the Aravallis and the countryside blurs past the window, that it fully sinks in.

There were no glass chandeliers. No palatial domes. No gilded mirrors or marble inlays. No towering archways meant to recreate a romanticised past. Instead, what I found was something far more disarming: stone warmed by the sun, courtyards where light pooled like water, and villas that echoed not royalty, but earth—humble, grounded, and deeply comforting.

It was clear that this wasn’t just a design decision—it was a philosophy in practice.

As Mohit Goyal, the design-forward director at Ananta Hotels & Resorts, explains, “Rajasthan, with its deep cultural roots and royal heritage, is already a canvas of opulence. At Ananta, we sought to add a different brushstroke—one that blends understated luxury with immersive calm. Instead of emulating the grandeur of palaces, we chose to create sanctuaries where nature speaks louder than décor, and tranquillity takes precedence over extravagance.”