This is a fairly new hotel and people choose between Khem Villas (if they have heard of it) and the Oberoi Vanyavilas. The difference is that at Khem Villas, you are located nearly within the park (Ranthamnbore) and you are treated to a much more personal experience, with the same 5-star hospitality. It's a small hotel with beautiful landscaped grounds. I am from the US, and came to Khem Villas directly from Oberoi Amarvillas. Khem Villas was a much needed dose of home in my first trip to India (2.5 week vacation). It added a luxurious, much needed respite. Usha, the owner, is committed to the area, to organic food, to the villages and wildlife. Can I just say that the food was unbelievable and I'm not the organic type? She made this visit an authentic experience. She is well connected in the area and I felt that I got the real education on the tiger trade (aka unfortunate poaching- from her).The cottages we stayed in had Anokhi fabrics (the best), fantastic 5-star bath areas, and stunning views. They were private, homey, and had the warmth of all of India in them. The food was some of the best I encountered in India. And the nightly campfire (with full bar) allowed me to connect with people from around the world. I stayed at incredible heritage hotels across India and count my stay at Khem Villas as one of my top experiences.

If I had to rate my best experience of our 21 day trip to India-Khem Villas and the family than runs it will be at the top of my list. The pictures don’t do justice for how beautiful and magic this place is. Usha (the manager) is such a lovely person. We felt we were staying in a friend's house. They are kind, honest and extremely professional. The food was amazing and varied. They mixed Indian and international cuisine- in case you are tired of the curry. They should write a recipe book because the dishes were seriously delicious. At night, we used to all sit around the fire, and the family that runs the resort would sit with us. We would be all summarizing how the day went and if anybody saw Tigers. Everybody that we talked to that did more than 1 safari saw tigers- and we did 4!!! And we saw them!!! It is a breathtaking experience when you finally see them. It’s a matter of luck, the more times you go on the jeep, the better. I recommend the Jeep not the Bus. I recommend you book in advance through internet to guarantee a space in a Jeep. A tip: there is a train from Delhi that takes around 4 hours- it doesn’t appear in the guides so book it in internet- or send an email to the hotel, they might know an agency in Delhi that can arrange it for you. But we wish we knew this before we went because it would have made things easier.

The family than runs Khem Villas is just admirable. They are also involved in a very nice project were they help the people of Sawai Madhopur. They construct hospitals, schools and they educate the people of the village, making them understand the importance of protecting the Tigers. Talking to them about it is a pleasure.

We have just returned fro 16 days of luxurious travel in Rajasthan and against all expectations the highlight was here; and believe me their was ample competition. Our outstanding agent, Himalayan River Runners, insisted that we come despite the fact that we had little ambition to spot a tiger. And how right they were.

The internationally renowned ( he won an ultra-prestigious Ashden Award in 2004) proprietor and his wife have created a haven which, while being environmentally sound in every way, is also a thrilling place to stay. The greatest treat for us was to take a bath ( an enormous luxurious, hot, tub) looking upwards only at the stars. There was plenty of room to bathe with a friend.

That even outshone the three tigers which were pretty magnificent as well.

Khem Vilas was fantastic. It was a delightful refuge after several wonderful city hotels. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. It was a warm and welcoming spot.