Khem Villas

The hub of Khem Villas is a white-washed bungalow and dining area where tasty, vegetarian fare is served up by Usha, one of owners, using only freshly-grown ingredients from either the gardens or local villages. Surrounded by a wrap-around veranda and fragrant gardens, it’s cool, calm and serene and the swimming pool is a great addition if you’re looking for somewhere to relax. At night, a fire is lit and guests congregate with drinks and snacks to listen to stories from the resident guides and naturalists. There’s also a spa, film room and library, and a small shop.

The rooms, tents and cottages are all gorgeous, but the cottages just edge top prize. Located down a small slope, they all look out over a waterhole and have pretty porches (and outdoor showers) from which to spot resident wildlife. Cottages also have sunny courtyards and loungers – a welcome addition! The tents are hidden amongst lush foliage and are bedecked in block-printed textiles and white linens, with verandas at the front and enormous open-air bathtubs at the back (there are indoor showers too). The rooms are in the main house and are slightly smaller but have air-con, which the others don’t.

You’re probably here to try and spot a striped Bengal and the twice daily game drives should help with that. We recommended staying for at least 3 nights to maximise exploring time and booking all safaris in advance to secure permits. You might also like to leave time for things like nature walks, visits to the hilltop Ranthambore Fort, a few hours in the spa, and an afternoon spent on your porch with a pair of binocs to watch the wildlife in the fabulous surroundings.