As we arrived at Samode Palace we were happy to be getting away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi a small village gives way to a large and beautiful set in the mountains. At check in we were informed that both swimming pools were out of service. Given that we were about 60km from Jaipur this was not welcome news.
We were offered free transfers to the Samode Bagh a sister hotel 15 minutes away to use their pool. We negotiated a discount on our room rate until the pool was fixed however the food nor the pool at the Samode Bagh are worth the trip. The main pool at the Samode is great when working. We did not have an opportunity to use the rooftop infinity pool as it was out of service.
We had booked a Deluxe Suite for the first two nights and a Royal Suite for the third night. The deluxe suites were nice with a nice bed, a seating area, a balcony and a nice bathroom. The Royal Suite was of a very high standard and included multiple rooms and a large plasma TV.
Food at the restaurant was good and after speaking with the chef we were able to negotiate off menu meals covering local specialities. Otherwise, there is the standard buffet option for breakfast and dinner. Some of the staff in the restaurant are great and went well out of their way to ensure that we enjoyed ourselves.
To mirror some of the other comments on the site the some of the best parts of the hotel are off limits to paying guests and instead are solely for the use of tour groups who are shipped in each evening. The hotel is decorated in flowers for them, they are each given a traditional welcome. Much entertainment is put on for these tour groups whilst the paying guests are left with a small restaurant area to eat in and a small balcony from which to catch a glimpse of the fireworks.
This very much gives the impression of being treated as a second class citizen and is the sole reason that would prevent me from returning. This hotel needs to appreciate the paying guests at least as much as the coach loads of tour groups.
