Dev Shree Deogarh

Staying at Dev Shree in Deogarh is something special. We didn't feel like guests, but rather like welcome members of the family. The house is comfortable and everything is done to make guests feel at home. We particularly recommend the “Rural Ramble Sundowner” – a jeep safari that lasts several hours and shows you rural India in a special way. We were lucky and even got to see leopards.

Dev Shree is a gem, particularly for a European touring India. It is called a homestay and in a sense it is in that Bhavna, Shatrinjai, Maha and Bhagi welcome you into their home and you eat, if you wish, and we did, family style with them.(apologies if I’ve misspelled). They are charming with Bhavna gracious, funny, clever and full of laughter, Shatrinjai full of charisma and stories and with two absolutely charming, solicitous, knowledgeable and empathic young men whose abilities augur well for this very well run business. The setting is on the edge of a village - the odd loud firework, birdsong interrupted by the omipresent scooter horn, the occasional drums of the mosque instead of the traditional Adhan. The sweeping verandah overlooks a dammed lake with a set of chairs, a long breakfast and lunch table. Inside, in an open but formal room is a dining room for supper. To the left is a generous sized pool with loungers which is framed by trees. Afternoons were spent reading or having reflexology overlooking the lake with a dip in the pool. We asked for the drinks and laundry price list which put every hotel in which we stayed, to shame in the sense of being so much more reasonable. At my request they also poured me some Indri whiskey which I enjoyed. The food is sensationally good - authentic and spiced as you wish. Breakfast involved the best parathas of our stay and fantastic Akura - Parsi scrambled eggs with many other options too. Lunches and dinners were complete feasts with dal baat churma and, as they are Kshatriya there are also delcious meat curries - the laal maans was quite the best that we had in all our month. In fact the food was quite the best we have had. The rooms are huge, well airconditioned with bathrooms with the most beautiful Carrera marble and excellent showers. The staff - forgive my spelling - from Mukesh, Asif, Harishna and Patti were all charming as were the many whose names that I did not learn but were part of the large well oiled team. I can’t recommend Dev Shree highly enough for a change from hotels, for an experience of a modern Indian home (on a regal basis) but with absolutely excellent cooking and hospitality. In leaving this review - having literally reviewed hundreds of places I note that there are 2-3 reviews from people who have only reviewed Dev Shree and no other place. I would be highly circumspect of these - their content does not represent a reasonable range of views, even if different from mine - they look like hatchet jobs and a misrepresentation. Be assured, Dev Shree is a joyful part of India and an essential part of any Rajasthan tour. This reviewer who gives praise only where praise is due cannot praise it highly enough for a proper experience of a modern Indian family.

A warm welcome by the family and the staff, superb meals together and on the terrace, rich discussions, a wonderful bird safari in the evening and spotless premises

A boutique hotel that’s really a beautiful home that takes guests. The family is lovely - elegant but informal, always aiming to make one’s stay as good as possible, aided by an outstanding group of people who took care of every detail.

On our travels around Rajasthan, my partner and I stayed at Dev Shree for 2 nights. It was a lovely oasis of calm between Jodhpur and Udaipur. The owners are absolutely lovely and offer lots of fun activities - village walk, local train ride, cooking class, yoga by the pool, etc….but the best part was simply chilling on their charming veranda whilst chatting to fellow chilled out guests. I highly recommend this place as a wee break from the constant sightseeing of local cities (which are great but can be exhausting).

One of the highlights of my recent trip to India, Devshree is set in rural Rajasthan. The family, who live on site, personally host visitors and all manner of activities are available from local walks, to bird-watching, a jeep safari, and my personal favourite, a local rural train ride through spectacular scenery. The family hold history, heritage and nature very close to their hearts and this shines through in their pleasure in sharing their values with their guests through the many activities on offer. The rooms are exquisitely furnished, meals taken with the family and other guests and I was also fortunate to celebrate Diwali there.