Le Meridien Jaipur was once again the host for the Writer’s Ball for the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival, 2015 and word was that guests and organizers were wondering how the hotel would top the setup from last year.
Now the hotel has to think about how they are going to top their setup from 2015! It was spectacular. The setup, the hospitality, the food, the music and the people. It was quite overwhelming in scale and no details had been overlooked.
The decor and lighting, with the hotel building in the background, were visually stunning. I tried not to publish too many photographs of the same but it was difficult to choose!
Guests sat around the heaters and there was friendly conversation all around. After all the wonderful sessions at Diggi Palace, the Writer’s Ball is one of those closing parties that are hard, if not impossible, to top.
Kutle Khan is of course a fabulous artist. The music was eclectic and soulful and very enjoyable. The front of the stage was quickly crowded by guests who chanted along with the musicians. I lost count of the number of people who were recording Khan’s performance. Some with devices on low battery were also recording but only for the music sound. It was a surreal performance. I love it how Starwood always gets the music and dance part of their celebrations just right.
The night ended with me sitting smack in the middle of the empty grounds after almost all the guests had bid goodbye, surrounded by the Le Medridien Jaipur crowd. Dinner was clearly late but it was splendid. “Haleem” with hot rotis from the kitchen, chilled beer, surrounded by wood and charcoal fire and heaters and some great banter and company. What a way to wrap up my Jaipur assignment with Starwood Hotels!
