How I learnt that I deserve to be pampered, the luxurious way

When you grow up in a small town like Meerut, you may dream big, but sometimes, your approach to spending money is more like counting calories at a buffet. Sure, who doesn’t want to swim in an ocean of overpriced bags and sneakers? But I’ve always kept my feet firmly planted in the shallow end of ‘smart spending’ and budgeted nights out with friends. The thought of splurging on a basic white shirt that cost as much as my monthly ration was as alien as ordering caviar at a roadside dhaba.

In 2023, when I moved to Mumbai, dragging along a mismatched red and silver suitcase, I braced myself for the misadventures ahead — tight budgets, matchbox-sized rooms, and thakela traffic that made me question my life choices. From wading through my flooded flat to tackling a ceiling that caved in during the monsoon, I weathered every storm by myself.

Living in Mumbai can be overwhelming and lonely. Finding a moment of calm feels as rare as scoring tickets to a Coldplay concert. Fast-forward a year of surviving the city’s constant chaos, my overstimulated self could barely remember what relaxation felt like. The thought of someone else taking care of me seemed foreign until I landed at Raffles Udaipur.

When I heard that the property was on an island in a lake where one would arrive by boat, I almost squealed with excitement. Upon arrival, I couldn’t help but feel like I had stepped into the opulent Randhawa mansion from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. My welcome at the property was as warm and luxurious as the surroundings — complete with a refreshing coconut mocktail that instantly set the tone for the stay.

And then I met Bhoomika, my personal butler. She greeted me with welcome snacks, and a song playing in the background so perfectly curated it felt like SRK’s dramatic entrance in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Cue the pooja ki thali.

The island, nestled in the middle of the serene Udai Sagar lake, offered a silence I hadn’t experienced in ages — just the twittering of sparrows, chatting like gossiping relatives at a shaadi. It was a far cry from the honking cars and my loud next-door neighbours back home, who begin their day by yelling at their kids. As I listened to the birds, my thoughts settled into a calmer rhythm and I allowed myself to just sit back and relax. Choosing my next meal was the only decision I had to make.

Speaking of meals, I fancy myself a food connoisseur. I was eager to try new cuisines on this trip. So, when I learned my first meal at Raffles Udaipur would be an authentic Rajasthani thali at Sawaai Kitchen that is known for its Rajput and Mewari food, I made sure not to ruin my appetite. However, my initial intrigue dipped when Chef Avijit presented bajre ki raab (soup) as the first course. It whisked me back to my childhood, when my mother would chase me around with that dreaded, bland bowl. But then I took my first sip, an unexpected wave of comfort washed over me — it tasted like home. The following courses, much like a mother’s endless offerings after a long absence, hit all the right notes. My stomach and heart were full.

As an introvert, I’m not a fan of small talk. But at Raffles Udaipur, the chef’s love for his craft and the wait staff’s friendly check-ins — “Ma’am, did you like the food?” — sparked conversations I’ll remember fondly. We laughed about how poha can sometimes taste like cardboard (no offence to poha lovers), how sushi should never become street food, and all the viral Instagram recipes we secretly love to hate. It’s true: it’s always the people who make a place special.

For someone who has always travelled on a tight budget, the indulgence at Raffles Udaipur wasn’t just about the lavish setting. The true luxury was their team’s ability to anticipate my needs, like surprising me with my favourite dessert: cheesecake. During my weekend stay, I was treated to delightful Italian for lunch at the multi-cuisine Dining Room and savoured sushi at the Long Bar that’s popular for its Asian and Indo-Mediterranean small plates. Their restaurant, Harvest reflects the farm-to-table concept, where the chef prepares dishes from ingredients picked fresh from the island’s orchards.

I soon discovered the wonders of the spa on day two. When I was told that, ‘you should definitely try Raffles special spa’, I hesitated. I’m the girl who buys expensive things for her family, but doesn’t splurge on herself. Since I had coaxed myself to be open to new experiences, I said ‘yes’. The Raffles Spa is known for its Alchemy Bar where you can pick from several essential oils and herbs to customise your treatments. Lying there, naked, waiting for someone to massage my body was terrifying. But the second the oil touched my skin, every ounce of tension melted away. For the first time in ages, my body, mind, and soul felt truly relaxed.

My stay there gave me reason to pause and slow down. I even found time to finish a long-overdue book in the most stunning library I’ve ever seen — truly a reader’s paradise.

As my luxurious retreat came to an end, I sat at the scenic Belvedere Point for high tea, feeling a swirl of emotions that hit me like a gully cricket ball out of nowhere. The chaos of Mumbai and the serenity of Udaipur blended in my mind, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony of my journey. From the quaint lanes of Meerut, where the loudest sound was usually the nankhatai vendor, to sipping chamomile tea in a palace-like setting, I had come a long way. It was a beautiful reminder that even in the hustle and bustle of life, we can find pockets of peace. It was as if my small-town upbringing had packed its bags and joined me for this adventure, whispering, “Sometimes it’s okay to splurge on yourself because, guess what? You deserve to be pampered.” I left feeling like I had accidentally stumbled into a fairytale, with memories I knew I’d treasure for a lifetime.