A seasoned hospitality professional with over 20 years of experience, Rajiv Kapoor began his career as an Operational Trainee at Grand Hyatt and subsequently climbed the ladder with various renowned hotels across International brands such as The Westin Sohna Gurgaon Resort and Spa, Le Meridien Mumbai and Sheraton Surabaya Hotel & Towers, Indonesia.
At Fairmont Jaipur, he is at the helm of a grand and experienced team which runs this modern palace, the first Fairmont in the country and one of the most prestigious hotels in Accor’s Luxe portfolio in India.
His reputation precedes him and he is renowned for creating experiences that transform hospitality in to a celebration for guests. Today with us he shares insights on the design process of Fairmont Jaipur, sustainability initiatives, Architecture aspects of the hotel, interior design delicacy and more..
1. Can you give us a brief of your Design journey?
The design of any project begins with a story. All hotels are essentially theatres, with leisure guests coming in for an experience that is different from their daily lives, along with other reasons of celebration, relaxation, escape, contemplation, exploration, etc.
The story of Fairmont Jaipur began with the vision to present Rajasthan and the special place that Jaipur holds in the state. Guests come to Rajasthan with certain expectations of its culture, music, dance, vibrance and hospitality. Iconic destinations of Rajasthan, such as the exquisite Amer Fort, are architectural marvels with breathtaking arches and structures with large empty spaces inside. Designing Fairmont Jaipur presented itself as an opportunity to draw inspiration from these structures and create an experience of living in these spaces while looking out at the views framed by the ubiquitous arches.
2. What are the three elements of design that you focused on while designing?
There is no fixed number of elements that we target to cover. We focus on different elements for different projects. The main consideration with Fairmont Jaipur was to have a collection of architectural characteristics which ostensibly reflect the eras in which the palace was built and added to. Another element we emphasized here was to subtly describe a journey through the seasons of the year, starting with spring at the entrance and so on.
3. What are the sustainability initiatives carried out while planning the entire hotel?
Instead of focusing purely on sustainability per se, we turned our attention to celebrating the local crafts and traditions of Jaipur and trying to source as much local produce as possible. We began with a very small crew of builders since the work is quite complicated and heavily detailed, but the word spread fast and we uncovered something unexpected. Once people found out that we were building in this style, workers would show up and ask to join. When turned away for not having relevant qualification, they informed us that their fathers and grandfathers had taught them the building styles integral to Rajasthan and Jaipur. When given the chance, it became clear to us that the local workers had untapped skills and they needed to be preserved.
4. How deeply did the history of the place inspire you to build the interiors and the minute details of the hotel?
The interiors and details were all connected to the story we created of the young prince building a small hunting lodge in the countryside. Over time and over centuries, the initial pavilions were expanded to accommodate the growing family and retinue. This mirrors the creation of so many of the Rajput forts created in the days when peace could not be assumed.
5. How according to you, did you justify Mughal architecture in your design when it comes to planning and connectivity? (Physically and visually)
At Fairmont Jaipur, there isn’t just Mughal architecture, but rather a synthesis of the Rajputs, the Kachhwahas of Amber and the Mughals which was incorporated into the design philosophy. The main consideration was twofold, to combine the experience of staying in a space with the volume of old palaces and to enjoy looking out at the landscape through the evocative lobed arches.
6. How does the hotel ensure a seamless experience for its guests through its architecture?
The architecture is like a golden thread connecting all the components of your concept. It is what meets the guests’ eyes as they approach the property and embark on their magnificent journey with us. The architectural elements connect people with ideas right from the entrance to the Palace, as they make their way through Charbagh, Rang Mahal, Lobby, Rooms designed with private hammam in all the guestrooms, Saheliyon Ki Badi, Chaupad style pool and multiple other spaces that are uniquely designed. These elements make the opulent and memorable experience of Fairmont Jaipur more holistic and sensorial.
7. What are the various engagement rooms designed for the guests to stay longer within the property?
The authenticity of the rooms designed with private hammam gives a magnificent experience in all the guestrooms, spa and multiple F&B offerings in the beautiful scenic views of the Aravalli hills. Understated yet opulent at the same time, the beauty however lies in the intimate details of all the rooms. Such an experience makes any guest longing to stay more away from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives. The stay at Fairmont Jaipur transports you to another world where guests can sit back, relax and rejuvenate their mind, body and soul.
8. If you had to describe the Hotel’s delicacy design in a few words, What would it be?
Designing the hotel as a King’s Palace which stands strong and opulent at first glance was the vision behind building the hotel. The idea of creating a majestic palace was inspired by the Mughal and Rajput cultures, to offer a seamless luxury experience where moments turn into memories.
