Ahilya Fort

Rooms

Scattered around the fort, the 15 rooms and suites vary in size and décor. Some have views of the river, others the verdant gardens, but all come with air-conditioning, minibars, WiFi and tea- and coffee-making facilities.

Cheapest are the Princely Rooms. Of these, we particularly liked Champa, Gulmohar and Kachnaar, which have little balconies to sit out on. Some can accommodate additional beds, and two - Imli and Neem - are set around a lovely private courtyard. They’re a little smaller than the others and have tiny windows. There's also a 2-Bedroom Princely Room with a private terrace on a turret; handy for families.

If you can, it’s definitely worth paying extra for one of the 2 Regal Suites. Narmada is wonderful - a beautifully light room built into the wall of the fort, with teak parquet floors and its own sitting room and balcony overlooking the river. It also has a fantastic freestanding bathtub in its bathroom, which is partially open to the bedroom. Naqar Khana is darker but just as spacious; it too has a separate sitting room and a balcony. It’s set outside the main fort walls, a minute’s walk from the entrance, so it’s very private.

For a real treat, consider splashing out for the romantic Arjun Regal Tent, which sits in its own garden on the riverbank. Inside it’s airy and comfortable, with a four-poster bed, a sitting area, air-conditioning and a bathroom with a clawfoot tub. Outside is a private plunge pool, along with loungers, cushioned benches and sweeping views over the water and adjacent temple.

Since our visit, a Princely Tent has also been added. It sits in a secluded spot next to the Arjun Regal Tent. It has a kingsize bed and an ensuite shower room. The two tents can be combined for families wanting extra space.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Minibar/fridge
• WiFi

Eating

The food at Ahilya, all included in the rates, is excellent - a mixture of Western dishes and traditional Mughal cuisine. Prince Richard is a dedicated gourmand, taking a close interest in what happens in the kitchen (he's even written a couple of cookbooks), and everything is homemade using plenty of veg from the kitchen garden.

Breakfast is à la carte and combines Western staples - eggs, homemade bread, marmalade - with fresh fruit and Indian dishes like poha (flattened rice). It’s normally served in one of the shaded courtyards, and you can opt to have bed tea brought to your room beforehand on request.

Lunch is served at separate tables dotted around the grounds, and consists of light dishes such as chilled spinach and sorrel soup, homemade quiche or papaya and carrot salad. Picnics can be arranged if you’re heading out on a day trip, and tea, cakes and biscuits are laid out every afternoon.

Evenings begin with cocktails on the terrace, accompanied by Indian snacks such as deliciously fresh pakoras with green chutney. Dinners are sumptuous affairs with plenty of wine, laid out in various locations around the grounds and illuminated by flickering butter lamps. Guests tend to eat together, hosted by Prince Richard whenever he’s at home, but private tables can be set up if you prefer. There are at least 4 or 5 dishes, many based on traditional recipes handed down through the Holkar family - perhaps Kashmiri duck with pomegranate sauce or a rich vegetable curry. We feasted on Bengali kid and sweet and sour aubergine, and enjoyed every mouthful. Special dietary requirements are easily accommodated, so just ask.

Features include:

• Children's meals
• Minibar/fridge

Activities

• Lounge by the beautiful pool, which is surrounded by lush gardens, or explore the fort, with its hidden courtyards, battlements and verandas linked by stone walkways
  
• Book a massage or unwind with a yoga session in the peaceful gardens
  
• Glide down the Narmada river at sunset on a traditional hand-paddled wooden boat (included in the rates). Floating dinners and picnics on a nearby island can also be arranged for an additional charge
  
• Wander along the ancient ghats below the fort, watching local life on the banks and pilgrims bathing themselves in the sacred waters
  
• Visit Rehwa, the fort’s own weaving centre, which makes gorgeous fabrics and is dedicated to sustaining centuries of textile heritage. Afterwards, meet the children at Ahilya School, set up to educate the weavers’ families
  
• Explore vibrant Maheshwar, with its indigo buildings and friendly residents, or head across the river to the pretty village of Naoda Todi and its Shaliwan Temple. Bikes are available to borrow if you want to pedal around
  
• Take a day trip to stunning Mandu, an abandoned 15th-century city less than 2 hours’ drive away. It’s full of ornate yet crumbling palaces and temples, and Ahilya staff can arrange a private picnic among the ruins
  
• Or head to Omkareshwar, one of the most important Hindu sites, set on an island in the river
  
• Also within reach are Bakawa, famous for its hand-crafted lingams (representations of the Hindu deity Shiva), and Indore, the 18th-century seat of the Holkars. Guided excursions with lunch are available on request

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Ahilya welcomes children of all ages, and kids will relish the magic of staying in a fort. We visited with our 1-year-old and 3-year-old and the staff were very helpful, happily arranging special food at inconvenient times.

There is a kitchen garden for children to explore, as well as chickens and some farmyard animals to meet. Boat trips and swimming in the river also provide a lot of fun.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Some Princely Rooms and Regal Suites have space for an extra bed or baby cot. Two of the Princely Rooms, Imli and Neem (both doubles), are set around a private courtyard with a ping-pong table, so they're ideal for families who want their own little corner of the hotel. If you can, it's worth booking the 2-Bedroom Princely Room with has a double and a twin, plus space for a baby cot in the master bedroom.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: Indore (1.5-hour drive)
• Shop: Maheshwar (5-minute walk)
• Hospital: Maheshwar (5-minute walk) or Dhamond (30-minute drive)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Ahilya Fort sits by the Narmada river on the outskirts of Maheshwar, a rural town in Madhya Pradesh, central India.

By Air:
The nearest airport is Indore (98km), a 1.5-hour drive from Maheshwar. It’s served by domestic flights from major Indian cities, including Mumbai and Delhi - click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
The hotel offers airport transfers. Alternatively, you can arrange a car and driver for your entire Indian holiday via our Tailormade Tour Operator.

By Train:
The nearest train station is Barwah (39km away), but it’s better to arrive via Indore, which is served by mainline services from Delhi and Agra. The hotel can arrange transfers from both these stations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Madhya Pradesh and getting around