Haritage Kuchman Haveli

Haritage Kuchman Haveli is located right inside Merti Gate in Jodhpur. If you are looking for it, you have to head toward the main road and then pass through the big stone gate that marks the entrance to this part of the old city. The haveli is a traditional building with thick stone walls that keep it surprisingly cool even when the Rajasthan sun is beating down outside. It isn't a modern hotel with glass and steel; it has old wooden doors and narrow staircases that wind up to the upper floors. You can see the history in the carvings on the stone and the way the courtyard is laid out. There is always the sound of the city coming in from the street—scooters honking and people calling out—but once you are inside the thick walls, it gets a bit quieter. We spend a lot of time maintaining the place because old buildings like this need a lot of looking after. The floors are stone and the ceilings are high, which gives it a very open feel. We don't use a lot of fancy words to describe it; it’s just an old family property that we have kept running. It feels very real and grounded, unlike the newer buildings on the outskirts of the city. Most evenings, we sit out near the entrance and watch the people coming and going through Merti Gate. It’s a busy, lively spot to be and we like the history of it.