Mihir Garh
Rohet
Mihir Garh is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Venues for a Wedding or Party
Rising like a golden mirage from the parched earth, Mihir Garh – meaning ‘Fort of the Sun’ – is an extraordinary boutique hotel set on a lonely sand mound in the vast, sun-scorched Thar Desert of Rajasthan. Located west of the sleepy village of Khandi and about an hour's drive from Jodhpur, it is a bold, beautiful expression of desert luxury, a place where architectural vision meets familial passion and where every detail tells a story of the land.
Conceived and built by the Rohet family, celebrated hoteliers and equestrians, Mihir Garh is part castle, part dreamscape. With walls made from wattle, mud and timber, and turrets that echo the silhouettes of desert forts, the property blends organically into the desertscape that surrounds it. But while its outward appearance is rooted in tradition, its interiors are unapologetically sumptuous. There are just nine vast suites, each stretching over 1,700 square feet, and every one designed to be a private sanctuary. Expect plunge pools, open-air Jacuzzis, shaded courtyards, star-drenched terraces, and hand-crafted fireplaces sculpted by women from local villages. The soft, earthy tones of the décor are inspired by the desert itself, with locally sourced fabrics, artefacts and textures lending each space a sense of quiet, grounded luxury.
The suites are named Alishan and Shandar, after the magnificent Marwari stallions bred by the Rohet family, a nod to the hotel’s equestrian soul. And indeed, one of the great joys of staying at Mihir Garh is experiencing Rajasthan on horseback. Guests are invited to join expertly guided riding safaris across the desert plains, through Bishnoi villages and scrubland, on horses that are as graceful as they are spirited – making this one of the finest horse-riding destinations in India.
Beyond the saddle, life at Mihir Garh is about slow, sensory immersion. The Vilasa Spa offers a soothing counterpoint to the dry desert air, with a well-curated menu of treatments drawn from both Indian and Western traditions, and two peaceful treatment rooms framed by mud walls and natural light. There’s also an outdoor pool, ideal for cooling off after a camel safari, and a barbecue terrace where smoky, spice-laced Rajasthani dishes are served under the stars. Meals are largely sourced from local produce and recipes handed down through generations, offering a true taste of Marwar.
What sets Mihir Garh apart is not just its astonishing setting or its architectural flair, but its authenticity. This isn’t a hotel that’s been designed to impress, it’s been built to belong. It honours its place and people: from the artisans who helped build it to the horses that gallop across its plains. It’s no surprise that Mihir Garh has garnered awards from the likes of Tatler and Condé Nast Traveller, yet it still feels like a well-kept secret.
For travellers in search of luxury in Rajasthan that is quietly exceptional – with soul, stillness and a deep sense of place – Mihir Garh is unforgettable. A destination in its own right, and a poetic pause on any journey through India’s regal heartland.
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To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson