The Farm

Get inspired at this funky new art hotel near Jaipur, and kick back with its imaginative young Rajput owners

A 25-minute drive from Jaipur, The Farm was bought with government compensation for an ancestral family palace drowned by a dam. And the many lost-palace pieces reclaimed and reworked here set the theme - treasured cultural heritage meets reinvention, originality and flair. Its married owners Ritu and Surya (in their early thirties and with a young son, Vihaan) are both passionate about art, though neither is formally trained. So they think outside the box, see their hotel as a blank canvas for endless fresh ideas (works by different artists are displayed throughout), and offer up a space where you can play too.

It's still early days (they opened in 2009 after a 3-year build) and so, on entry, the grounds look a little bare. However, once safely ensconced in our rag-rolled, art-appointed room (one of 4, with a handful of suites to follow), and sipping cocktails beside the beautiful pool, the loving design and quirky laid-back spirit quickly make themselves felt.

A huge playroom on the ground level (with billiard table, widescreen TV and shelves of games, art books and DVDs, all canopied by a bubble-wrap ceiling) underlines the theme. If you're a cultured 20- to 40-something looking to relax, learn, create and be impressed by things Indian-designed, you'll love it here.

Highs

• The relaxed atmosphere and inspiring enthusiasm of your charming hosts who live on-site
• The classes on offer: cookery, painting and yoga
• The proximity to Jaipur, meaning you can spend a day visiting the Forts and bazaars, but return to the tranquil countryside for the evening
• Delicious food - mostly homegrown and homemade, and all included in the room rate. Dinners are a 5-course feast under the stars
• Spacious, eclectic yet luxurious rooms and suites

Lows

• Vegetarian thali is the standard lunch fare which, though tasty, might feel a little repetitive if you're staying for a while
• Some of the decor, while artistic and inventive, looks a little slap-dash, and cleaning could be a little more squeaky
• The poolside loungers are horizontal woven palettes, so not great for reading on
• It's constantly evolving, so likely there'll always be some areas looking unfinished
• None of the rooms can be made up as a twin