St. Regis is a name synonymous with luxury and the good life. This we all know. That they intend to bring this very special hotel brand to India, I didn’t. They do. And so, in the middle of the social and social calendar this January, they invited a small group of us to experience a little of the high life, St. Regis style, in Jaipur. Paul James, Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels, led us through a brief introduction to the brand in an intimate, non pushy sort of way. We hear about the founder John Jacob Astor IV, the wealthiest man in the US at the end of the 19th century and probably one of the wealthiest in the world, part of the tribe of new American aristocracy leading the field for the Vanderbilts, Rockerfellers and Carnegie families to follow.  His mother, the Grand Dame of High Society Caroline Astor, defined what New York high society and the country’s first aristocracy followed. JJ died on the Titanic and his son Vincent, carried on the empire and brought the  famous Paris club, La Maisonette Russe, to St. Regis in New York (now the Nat King Cole Bar), creating the Bloody Mary, highlighting the Upper East side look and feel of his grandmother’s legacy. The St Regis signified opulence and richness and reflected Caroline’s love of flowers, afternoon tea and service. All the rooms in all St. Regis hotels have 24×7 butler service even today. This is a USP of the hotel. I stayed in the Singapore St. Regis and on arrival thought this butler thing was a bit over the top. I wasn’t looking forward to the intrusion. Impeccably trained, my lady butler was invisible when I wanted her to be, there at a press of a button. My soothing hot cup of chamomile tea was delivered in bone china before I went to bed. No task was too difficult. Allergy tablets. Yes, in a flash. Restaurant reservations, no problems. And of course, coffee, tea and anything else on tap. You can get used to this style of pampering. Today’s St Regis reflects today’s definition of luxury. It may not be over the top décor and opulent furnishings. Instead, luxury today could be defined by art, service, style and glamour.

We spent the weekend mingling with beautifully dressed polo people, gazing at royalty in colourful lahariya sarees. We posed with one of the world’s greatest polo players Nacho Figueras who plays for the St. Regis team worldwide and is ambassador for the Polo brand;  indulging in the Jaipur Lit frenzy including a private interlude with playwright Farrukh Dhondy and finishing it all off with a party which rocked the city of Jaipur till dawn at the magnificent Jaigarh Fort. We had afternoon tea and bubbly sabering at the Rajasthan Polo Club, devilishly delicious Bloody Mary’s at the evening party and the most amazing pampering ever.  The “immersion” was gentle and persuasive and luxury was re-defined, St. Regis style.