Neemrana Hotels

The story of Neemrana begins in 1977 when, while writing a book, Aman Nath and Francis Wacziarg first saw its 15th-century ruins lit up by the setting sun. They were researching for a book on the frescoes: The Painted Walls of Shekhavati. The Neemrana fort on the Aravalli range in Rajasthan seemed captivating.

Aman Nath followed up with the Raja and bought the ruin with two Indian friends in 1986. They bought the fort for Rs 700,000 in 1986 and restored it, opening as a hotel in 1991 with 12 rooms. After restoration, the fort, which was built in 1464 under Chauhan Rulers and had been a ruin for 40 years, open to guests. The hotel has been used as the venue for the International Festival of Indian Literature in 2002, for Mastermind India, conference, events and for dozens of dazzling weddings. But when the two original partners wanted to leave after 6 years and the hotel was running to much applause, Francis Wacziarg stepped in.

Later, the Neemrana Hotels company was established in 1991 by Aman Nath and Francis Wacziarg. Aman Nath was a post-graduate in medieval Indian history from Delhi University, and Francis Wacziarg a former French diplomat who began in Bombay.

The company also manufactures jam from the fruit orchards in Ramgarh, and tea from the plantations in Coonoor and Coffee from Coorg. It also runs a "Neemrana Music Foundation". The clientele, which initially consisted mostly of foreign tourists, is now (as of 2010) 70% Indian.