Situated amidst the foothills of the beautiful Aravali ranges, the hotel is spread across eight acres making it a perfect urban retreat for a quick staycation within Delhi NCR
Courtyard by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s, open India’s first Courtyard resort in Delhi NCR, Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort. This marks the arrival of the brand’s second property in Delhi. Situated amidst the foothills of the beautiful Aravali ranges, the hotel is spread across eight acres making it a perfect urban retreat for a quick staycation within Delhi NCR.
“The opening marks the 23rd Courtyard by Marriott property in India, attesting to the robust growth and popularity of the brand in the country. Our select service portfolio is also driving momentum for growth in the region with an exciting pipeline,” said Ranju Alex, Area Vice President, and South Asia at Marriott International.
Accentuating contemporary design, Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort boasts 158 designed guestrooms, including spacious family suites and villas. Each guestroom features a private balcony that overlooks the stunning pool or hill views.
Drawing inspiration from local and international fare, the hotel’s four dining venues showcase a variety of gourmet offerings. The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, The Aravali Kitchen offers regional delicacies and international favourites overlooking the beautiful poolside while Huang, hotel’s specialty restaurant offers a variety of Asian cuisines. The poolside bar and restaurant, Olive Grove offers mesmerizing sunset views to enjoy some fresh cocktails and light bites.
The resort also features a kid’s club, a uniquely tiered swimming pool, and a spa for complete relaxation.
American home furnishing brand, The Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids, portfolio brands of Williams-Sonoma, opens an online store in India. As part of this franchise relationship with Reliance Brands Limited (RBL), the Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids brands’ assortment of furniture, decorative accessories, textiles, lighting, and functional décor for adults, babies and kids is now available online at www.potterybarn.in and www.potterybarnkids.in.
Both, Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids’ are known for its quality design, expert craftsmanship besides being sustainable and organic.
The brand pays utmost importance to customer satisfaction with its Design Crew services where a dedicated team of interior design experts provide complimentary one-on-one design services to all customers. Design Crew team helps answer style questions and gives advice on room planning via an online chat, or virtual consultations by video, phone, and email.
Pottery Barn’s key product categories include furniture, bedding, bath, rugs, window treatments, tabletop, lighting and decorative accessories. Most products on offer are designed in-house and are exclusive to their catalogues, stores, and website.
House of Ming, one of Capital’s oldest Chinese fine dining restaurants makes a comeback in its new avatar. The restaurant has been a defining part of the city’s culinary landscape for over four decades.
“Taj Mahal, New Delhi remains an ideal location with exquisite dining choices. The re-imagined House of Ming makes a comeback featuring some of the signature favorites in addition to novel dishes, with exquisite presentations, that celebrate the Cantonese, Sichuan and Hunan flavours”, said Satyajeet Krishnan area director – New Delhi and general manager, Taj Mahal, New Delhi.
The new décor is elegant and chic, with an ambience that is reminiscent of the famous Ming Dynasty and weaves the tale of the Ming Princess in this visually magnificent restaurant.
Imperial dinging at the House of Ming.
A 110 seater House of Ming presents a gastronomical confluence of the old and the new with an eclectic menu carefully curated and prepared by the Chef Arun Sundarraj where there is something for every palette.
The food concept is based on the delicate balance of hot, sweet & sour flavours. The new menu selection offers dishes in which various cooking techniques – roasting, baking and frying, have been incorporated from all over China. Imperial dining has been introduced which offers an immersive and fine-dine experience with Chef’s Choice menu presenting seventeen courses, designed exclusively for the private dining rooms. The menu classics and the evergreen favourites feature on the menu in addition to novel items and dishes with a modern twist.
The concept of The Tea Brewing Cart – a live tea trolley, has also been introduced to provide the Chinese tea experience. The cocktails have been designed by some of our best mixologists keeping in mind the balance between the five elements of nature – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
One of the holiday homes by Bennet and Bernard, Quinta Del Mariano of the colonial Portuguese architecture in Goa.
Bennet and Bernard launches its custom holiday homes Casa Creole with a Mauritian vibe in Goa.
Each project by Bennet and Bernard whether it’s Casa Del Senor reflecting the Spanish colonial architecture, Tudor House of the French Chateau Style or the Quinta Del Mariano of the colonial Portuguese architecture, is designed with the client’s ultimate comfort in mind, while being creative in its extravagance.
Casa Creole brings the best of Mauritian architecture to Goa’s shores and exudes the best of tropical culture, perfectly marrying the location and architectural magnificence. The project is the first of its kind in India, with only 6 exclusive villas in a gated community.
Nestled in North Goa, in the enchanting village of Moira which is distant from the cacophony of the city, Casa Creole has a glorious façade with high vaulted ceilings and shaded wrap-around verandas, aesthetically steep sloping roofs, with intricate wrought iron balconies, natural light, protecting interior spaces from the intense midday heat.
The classic evening lights will add a delicate halo to the home. The central fountain is an amalgamation of beauty and elegance, embracing every detail of the home. The powder room design creates an overall graceful experience. It is a convergence between ‘luxury living’ and ‘quality of life’ and the two seem synonymous.
Casa Creole is seamlessly designed for self-care spaces combining old-world charm with modern comforts. Designs and architecture inspired by the sounds, smells, sights, and senses of lands, and nature are the vital elements of the project. It’s based on the concept of sustainability, and includes other significant features like smart designs for air ventilation for natural cooling, LED lighting, classic Portuguese styled clay or cement tiled roof, amongst many other features that enable impeccable living.
“Once you have lived with the mountains, you belong to them”. These eternal words from the legendary Ruskin Bond, describing the mighty Himalayas cannot find a better manifestation than The Kumaon. A peaceful, stunningly beautiful hideout, made with immaculate taste in the Kasar Devi region of Uttarakhand, even a brief stay in The Kumaon will make you want to belong to the property.
The Kumaon was conceived at a time when there were burning discussions in the country about ecological damages being hurled on the mountains by mindless construction activities. It won’t be completely wrong, if one was to say that mountain tourism in India is still at an evolutionary stage. This process of evolution has had its own challenges. And some serious calls for introspection too. The Kedarnath tragedy of 2013 raised the burning question all over again. The million dollar question is how to make our hills a destination for sustainable tourism, while providing the luxuries and amenities of modern hospitality, without creating an ecological imbalance?
Many hospitality chains and boutique groups have tried to come up with answers to this challenge. Some by adopting global best practices and some by incorporating indigenous innovations. The Kumaon is trying to do its bit by a mix of both.
The Himalayan retreat has put to practice some very innovative ways of building, operating and sustaining a mountain property, setting new benchmarks for sustainable luxury.
Surrounded by the rich biodiversity and unparalleled views of the spectacular Himalayan range, The Kumaon’s design language resonates with contemporary India and reflects a distinct elegance in simplicity, while sharing a unique insight into slow travel and conscious living.
The Kumaon houses 10 chalets across 5 structures nestled in pairs with one-a-top the other
Quite unlike the regular mountain getaways, The Kumaon was envisioned by Vikrom Mathur, who originally bought the land to build a private home but later on decided to develop into a boutique stay on the doorstep of rhododendron forests and the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. The spaces have a constant reference to the outdoors, while a moderate palette is retained to emphasize the picturesque backdrop. “The unique landscape is a main conduit for travellers to connect with nature, immerse themselves in the local surroundings at their individual pace and in the privacy of their own space at The Kumaon”, says Mathur.
Designed by the award-winning Sri Lankan architects, Pradeep Kodikara and Jineshi Samaraweera, The Kumaon symbolises the principle of abstract modernism and highlights minimalistic design maintaining low intensity development in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Environment friendly practices
Spread across 2 acres of verdant greens, The Kumaon houses 10 chalets across 5 structures nestled in pairs with one-a-top the other. Each chalet is named after different villages of the Kumaon region and opens into a private sit out offering incredible views of Nanda Devi range.
Upper Chalet at The Kumaon use fly-ash bricks clad with bamboo sticks and copper wire and have bay windows that extend out to large terraces
The property has been built around the idea of sustainable architecture that highlights the locally sourced materials, utilised extensively across different structures and spaces through varied local techniques and skilled craftsmen from the region. These materials have been allowed to retain their natural quality to give a rustic feel and have become an integral part of the design language.
The lower suites have adjacent outdoor sitting areas and are built of locally-quarried stone used for Kumaoni village homes while the terrace upper suites use fly-ash bricks clad with bamboo sticks and copper wire and have bay windows that extend out to large terraces.
With efforts to restore the balance over the years, The Kumaon team has also integrated a few indigenous species of trees into the landscape including cedar, oak, rhododendron, and also encourages the cultivation of local pulses, fruits and more in the area.
Enabling local communities and empowering them with sustainable livelihoods
The Kumaon is an idea rooted in the region’s ecology and its coupling with the culture and livelihoods of local communities. These were core principles around which the property was conceived and launched in 2017.
Building The Kumaon wasn’t easy, recalls Mathur. “It took us around two years to make this transformative sanctuary it is today, while resolutely navigating through the initial constraints of the area being largely non-motorable and inaccessible,” he says. “But with the ardent commitment and love for the region, the locals were encouraged to come together and help build the property from ground up, including facilitating the passage of locally sourced materials to the site during the initial days of inception.”
Many individuals who worked on the site were seamlessly accommodated and trained into various technical roles at The Kumaon and still continue to be a part of the core service team. In fact, many have exceptional stories to share about their journeys from being masons to now the anchors of heartfelt hospitality and service at the retreat.
Over the years, these efforts by The Kumaon to develop the region have both inspired and resonated with visiting guests as well as the local communities. This further encourages them towards creating impactful change and pushing the envelope – around conscious travel and sustainable living.
Chefs Hemant Oberoi & Ajay Chopra launch knosh, a food-tech platform which home delivers signature dishes from award-winning chefs in Gurgaon.
Chef Hemant is the mentor for Knosh while chef Ajay will don brand ambassador’s hat for the platform, along with his chef’s cap.
India’s first unique epicurean platform, Knosh brings together award-winning chefs of international repute on a single platform. Food connoisseurs can now indulge in culinary delights from handpicked chefs, in the comfort and safety of their homes.
The chef-to-customer platform is a collective of chefs, that includes Hemant Oberoi, Ajay Chopra, Vaibhav Bhargava, Sabyasachi Gorai ( Saby), Nishant Choubey, Sweety Singh, Vanshika Bhatia, Jajos, Harangad Singh, Zebi Zubair and Rajesh Roy of Le Meridien, Gurgaon. Besides celebrity chefs, various cuisine specialists who are experts at creating authentic dishes are part of the Knosh platform. The on-boarding of chefs is done by-invitation only, ensuring exclusive meal experience.
Knosh is now live for Gurgaon residents and will soon expand to Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore and Dubai.
The platform is led by a strong team that includes Sumbul Siddiqui, Ajay Malhotra and Samrat Das Gupta as co-founders, along with chef Ajay Chopra who brings in deep industry connect and insight.
“Food industry has changed dramatically in recent times. We wanted to build a platform that enhances the brand value of Chefs and bring these food innovators in front of our customers. Chefs take the centre stage on our platform. Knosh brings fine dining to your doorstep in an easy and convenient manner. Besides offering signature meals from chefs of various cuisines, our focus is on leveraging technology to enhance food experiences. The road ahead includes-hosting Chef’s Table at exclusive locations, AI driven health subscription meals and live streaming food events. We want to create magical food experiences for our patrons through an integrated social food platform,” explains Sumbul Siddiqui, co-founder, Knosh.
The USP of this platform lies in its features. It offers flexibility of ordering for same day or one can choose to pre-order planned meals up to 10 days. There is a multi-cart option which gives customers ease of ordering from multiple chefs in one single order. It features curated menu with handpicked bestseller dishes.
“Knosh is a path-breaking concept bringing the fine-dining experience to your doorstep at an affordable price. This is a win-win for chefs and customers alike and the best thing is it does not restrict itself to a particular cuisine. Through this platform I would be able to mentor a lot of chefs as well,” says chef Hemant.
Customers can download the app, on Playstore or Appstore or log on to the website knosh.in
What better place to discover one’s skin’s natural glow than in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve surroundings of Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru?
From April 9 to 18, 2022, guests can treat themselves to a revolutionary skin-rejuvenating session with facial guru, Teresa Tarmey. One of the world’s most influential skincare experts, Teresa Tarmey will be in residence at her first and only resort-based facial studio at Landaa’s wellness haven, AyurMa.
“We’re delighted to have Teresa on site for more than a week,” says Shylesh Subramanya, director of AyurMa. “It’s an exclusive opportunity for our guests to savour the deeply rejuvenating aspects of Landaa Giraavaru – from its natural surroundings to dawn yoga and Ayurvedic dining – while discovering Teresa’s world-leading techniques for themselves.”
Tarmey’s visit offers guests a chance to unveil the kind of flawless skin her A-list clients keep her on speed-dial for. Her signature facial – The Ultimate TT – is a cutting-edge combination of radio frequency, advanced LED technology, light lactic peel, cryotherapy, and hands-on massage. Guests can top up during their stay with the Cryo Lift – a results-boosting mini version of the full facial.
With Tarmey’s facials creating transformative results with no pain or downtime, guests can elevate the healing experience with a range of other holistic services. At the Resort’s heartfelt haven, AyurMa – the evolution of 15 years’ of wellbeing innovation – the four pillars of Planetary Wellbeing, Ayurveda, Yoga Therapy and Wellness invite visitors to cultivate care for themselves, others, the oceans and the entire planet.
The camp at Sujan Jawai celebrates great outdoors and offers you a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture of the region.
Winter is the best time to answer the call of the wild. And if you are doing it, why not do it in style?
These are the months when national parks are open and so are the luxury camps catering to wildlife. Hospitality brands are giving a unique twist to the otherwise regular itinerary with lucrative offers to engage the travelers for longer periods and also induce them to come back again.
While most camps catering to wildlife are providing all-inclusive offers comprising daily meals, a safari ride as well as recreational activities, some are walking an extra mile to offer rare experiences to their guests.
Depending on what exactly are you looking at, there are plenty of options. The Luxe Café helps you cut the clutter and make an informed choice to book your next wildlife vacation.
Rajasthan
Aman-i-Khas
A luxury wilderness camp by Aman on the edge of Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan is something you can’t miss. With only 10 tented suites, the camp offers incomparable privacy, each serviced by an experience batman.
Spot tiger, leopard, spot foxes, deer, antelope and many beautiful varieties of kingfisher birds during the daily safaris organized by the camp. After an exhilarating game drive, comforting Aman spa therapies, picturesque swimming pool and the dining tent awaits you.
Mughal-inspired tent at Aman-i-Khasoffers incomparable privacy, each serviced by an experience batman.
Visit to Unesco-protected Ranthambore Fort, a bush dinner in a secluded location within the camp, with live cooking on chulha and a half-day Chambal River Sanctuary excursion, with a private picnic are some of the unique and rare experiences for you while at Amani-I-Khas. The Camp is welcoming visitors in a new Wilderness Escape experience; with exclusive rates for residents of India.
Doubles from Rs 1,00000
aman.com
Closet National Park: Ranthambhore National Park is 15 minutes by car
SujanSherBagh
If you are looking for a place that takes you back to 19th century style camping yet modern enough for a luxury traveller, you should head to SherBagh. The Camp consists of 12 hand-stitched white canvas tents inspired by the adventurous charm of old-world safari camps in India.
Spa at SherBaghunder the spread of an ancient peepal tree
Cooking sessions with the team, picnic at the fort, spa therapies under the spread of an ancient peepal tree, breakfast near the pool, savoring traditional thalis surrounded by wild grasses under the star lit sky are a few experiences at SherBagh.For game drives, we suggest you to book through SherBagh for an unparalleled experience of the wildlife with their carefully selected guides and drivers
Doubles fromRs 71,000
sherbagh.com
Closet National Park: Ranthambhore National Parkis 12 km away
SujanJawai
Set up against billion-year-old granite rock formations, SujanJawai is a place where leopards roam wild and free, coexisting comfortably with the charismatic communities. You can spend your day in the wilderness tracking leopards and other wildlife.
The camp celebrates great outdoors and offers you achance to immerse yourself in the local culture of the region. With just ten tented suites, SujanJawai redefines responsible luxury in the wilderness.
Experience dinner on the rocks or a guided walking safari with the Rabari tribe to track animals through the wilderness and explore the magnificent plants and landscapes around you.
thesujanlife.com
Doublesfrom Rs 99,000
Closet National Park:The Jawai area, which is between Udaipur and Jodhpur, is nearby.
Madhya Pradesh
Jamtara Wilderness Camp
Each tent at Jamtara Camp overlooks the forest.
Jamtara Wilderness Camp is a 10 luxury tented camp, in the heart of rural Pench, right next to the national park. It’s a place where you can even chance to spot a tiger passing by freely through the camp. Each tent overlooks the forest which sets the perfect background to the jungle experience.
Whether you want to take a walk or a bike ride, naturalists will accompany you to help identify the flora and fauna around the camp. While you are here, must experience the “star bed” machanthat is placed under the vast star lit sky in middle of the wilderness.
Doubles from Rs 37,800
jamatarawilderness.com
Closet National Park:Pench National Park is 49 minutes away by car.
The Sarai at Toria
Close to Khajuraho and Panna Tiger Reserve, Sarai at Toria is a uniquely designed 8 room accommodation situated along the banks of River Ken. The Safari though “river garden” is a haven for birdwatchers as kingfishers, storks, ducks and even an eagle owl are all part of the landscape. The place is surrounded by wonderful history and natural beauty and is a destination in itself.
Doubles starts from Rs 20,000
saraiattoria.com
Closet National Park:Panna Tiger Reserve is just a 5 minute’s drive.
BaghvanTaj, Pench
Baghvan, which literally means the ‘tiger forest’ is a beautiful retreat of 12 quaint standalone suites, right next to the Pench national park. The suites are built alongside a picturesque ‘nullah’ (dry riverbed), that demarcates the lodge premises from the national park. Each bungalow comes with its own rooftop machan, and a private sit-out surrounded by the woods.
You can sign up for private jeep safari to track the Royal Bengal tigers, leopards, Barasingha , sloth bears, wild dogs, and over 250 varieties of birds. One can even opt for a night Safaris and listen to the sounds of the wild that give away the flurry of activity in an otherwise tranquil night.
Other attractions include Canoe Safaris to enjoy the unique eco system around the rivers and floodplains; Bonnet breakfasts in the jungle or a village visit to the local tribes. “From the Pardhis to the Gonds and Baiga communities, Taj Safaris provides a deep insight into the century-old heritage of local art, providing a platform to these unique art forms for the guests,” says KanhaiKapoor, associate vice president, Taj Safaris.
Doubles start from Rs 35,500
tajhotels.com
Closet National Park:Pench National Park is 27 minutes by car
Pench Tree Lodge
Evening Sundowner in the wilderness at Pench Tree Lodge.
A luxurious abode in the jungle includes six spacious cottages on ground and six tree houses perched on top of the Mahua trees that are supported by stilts. You can spot wild boars, civets, jungle cats, jackals and spotted deer while sipping your morning tea or the evening sundowner on the private deck.
To keep the adventure alive in the night, you can opt for a night safari which starts just after the sunset. “It’s a great way to experience the nightlife and is very popular amongst the guests for leopard & tiger sightings,” says ManavKhanduja, co-founder, Pugdundee Safaris that runs Pench Tree lodge.
A haven for bird photographers as the lodge offers a unique concept of Bunker Bird Hides to take eye level shots of their subject.When it comes to food, local authentic recipes are given utmost importance. Experience the bush and farm dinners with the vibrant sounds of the forest to give you company.
Doublesfrom Rs14,500
penchtreelodge.com
Closet National Park: Pench National Park is a 37 minute drive.
Maharashtra
Svasara Jungle Lodge
Svasara is a eco-friendly luxury jungle lodge, situated 300 metres away from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. The lodge features 12 elegantly furnished suite rooms with all modern amenities.
Besides the safari experience through custom-fitted jeeps , one must take a nature walk at dusk to spot the tiny termite nest frog. The lodge offers delectable food spread to choose from and the chefs can even customized as per dietary requirement or preferences. But please be sure to inform them before the arrival.
Doubles from Rs 8000
svasararesorts.com
Closet National Park:Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserveis 300 metres away.
Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge
The Bamboo Forest Safari Lodge at the Tadoba Tiger reserve curates eco-luxury experiences in a very rustic-style lakeside villas and bungalows.
During your stay, you are likely to see the Big 5 of Tadoba – Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear and the Gaur, along with a great variety of ungulates and birds.
Explore nature around the lodge at night with specialized naturalists and discover the fascinating nocturnal world of beetles, spiders, owls, moths and other creatures. A must do for all the nature lovers.
Post the jungle safari, take some relaxing therapies in the spa or a dip in the pool. The Lodge accommodates almost every request made for the food whether it is eating out in the bushes or customizing your own meal.
Doubles start from Rs 22,000
Bambooforest.in
Closet National Park:Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is 50 km away
Gujrat
The Blackbuck Lodge
One of the most amazing wildlife resorts of Western India. The elegant Indian antelope, called Blackbuck, venture close to the cottages here, while globally-threatened birds can be seen in the bushes. That’s the beauty of this lodge.
For more wildlife experiences, the lodge provides blackbuck safaris in customized jeeps with experienced drivers and guides. Book a Bush Dinner with a beautiful setting enhanced by lanterns, a bonfire and an open barbecue under the star-lit skies of blackbuck national park.
Doubles start from Rs 8000
theblackbucklodge.net
Closet National Park:Blackbuck National Park is just 3 minutes away
The Postcard Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
Raw yet luxurious, the fifteen rooms at The Postcard Gir are a modernist refuge in a surrounding that is as old as time itself. You can head to Gir Jungle safari to spot majesctic Asiatic lions besides leopard, blue bulls, wild boars and jackals, organized by the property. Back at the lodge, enjoy a dip in the pool or some relaxing Ayurveda treatments to rejuvenate yourself.
Doubles start from Rs 55,000
postcardresorts.com
Closet National Park:Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is 39 km away
Karnataka
Pool Hut Villa at Evolve Back, Kabini
Evolve Back Kuruba Safari Lodge
Evolve Back Kuruba Safari Lodge, Kabiniis a luxury resort surrounded by forest and river and offers a range of wildlife activities. Go on a safari organized by the lodge to spot some large herbivores such as Chital, Sambar, Gaur, Asian Elephant and a large number of predators including the Tiger, Leopard and Wild dog. You can also opt for a boat safari to witness the largest congregation of Asiatic elephants, Marsh Crocodile, Smooth-coated Otter and myriad water birds.
In the evenings, enjoy traditional Kuruba tribal dance around the campfire or indulge in boat-dining experience where you savour exquisite food and wine from a menu prepared onboard just for you, while silently floating on the waters of the Kabana.
Doubles start from Rs 18000
evolveback.com
Closet National Park: Nagarahole Tiger Reserve is 65 km away
Serai Bandipur
Nestled on the fringes of the vast forest reserve, SeraiBandipur offers you rustic luxury amid the wilderness. Take part in a variety of activities, from jungle safaris, nature walks to mountain bike trail and therapeutic wellness sessions at the spa to rejuvenate yourself.
The base of Bandipur Tiger Reserve is only a 45-minute drive away from The Serai where you can chance to get real close to tigers, leopards, panthers, elephants, and other wild animals during the safari.
Doubles start from Rs 38,000
theserai.in
Closet National Park:Bandipur Tiger Reserve is 14 km away
The Bison Resort
The Bison is situated at the confluence of the Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks, on the shores of the Kabiniriver. The camp represents a good mix betweena rustic African styled tented camp and the old lodges of the Raj. Elephants, leopards, wild boar, and deer can be seen quite often from the camp itself. If you are lucky, you may even hear tiger roaring into the night, its terror stricken prey sounding their alarm calls. Curl up in yourcosy deck and gaze into the forests at sunset, have a drink by the crackling fire, dine in the jungle under the stars, soak in the romance of a midnight boat ride or thrill yourself with tracking down a big cat on safari. And when the Camp is run by India’s “Leopard Man” Shaaz Jung, you know you are definitely in good hands.
Doubles start from Rs 13,000
thebisonresort.com
Closet National Park:Nagarhole Tiger Reserve is 32 km away and Bandipur Tiger Reserve is about 100 km
Uttarakhand
Paatlidun Safari Lodge
Paatlidun Safari lodge is as close as it gets to the Corbett Tiger Reserve. This Lodge captures the essence of rustic luxury and weaves it with Kumaoni hospitality to bring the best wildlife experience one can get.
Each cottage-suite at the lodge has a private pool, cozy sit-out and a sunny backyard to enjoy the outdoors that open to wildlife. The resort is frequently visited by tuskers at night and wild boars who like to dig up the grounds.
Paatlidun offers you plenty of experiences to choose from. One can head to Himalayan ridge for a sunrise breakfast or for a high tea at the Kosiriver or on a nature walk in the plush forest.
Doubles start from Rs 15,000
Patlidun.com
Closet National Park: Jim Corbett National Park is 11 km away.
Jim’s Jungle Retreat
Jim’s Jungle Retreat situated in the lush southern forests of Jim Corbett National Park offers old forest bungalows and rest houses of the Raj era packedwith modern amenities for a luxury traveller.
Stay overnight in one of the park lodges in the forest for the most immersive jungle experience.
An Indian barbecue by a bonfire, tea by the end of safari by the forest, snacks served by the pool and exclusive private dining options are parts of your gastronomical experience.
You are surrounded by the sights, smells and sounds of the lush forest around, whether you are in the park on a game drive, taking a nature walk, fishing in the Ramganga or simply lying back at the retreat.
Doubles fromRs 16,000
jimsjungleretreat.com
Closet National Park: Jim Corbett National Park is 12 km away.
From the Experts:
Must-haves on a Safari
While for summer safaris, early morning rides can be a touch cool, with temperatures rising only as the sun comes up. Choosing lightweight materials in natural colours such as olive, tan and khaki that can be layered with a sweatshirt is a good idea. For winters, one should pack heavy woolen clothing, Woolen hats, scarves and gloves.
According to AnandShekhwat , general manager, Aman India, a few must-haves that guests should pack for their safari visit to continue capturing the wildlife are Itinerary, camera, binoculars, comfortable shoes, insect repellents, flashlights, sunglasses and sunblock, hat or scarves and a power bank to charge phones. Lastly, a strong rucksack to withhold all the essentials.
Things to be careful about
“Our advice would be to ensure all possessions such as sunglasses, jewelry and valuables tucked safely away just in case a mischievous monkey makes an appearance. Many seasoned safari goers have lost such items to the wilderness when forgetting to conceal them from the hands of a passing monkey,” says Shekhawat of Aman.
While ManavKhanduja, Pugdundee Safaris emphasizes on respecting the forest. As safaris are conducted in eco-sensitive areas it is very important to tread in a responsible way and avoid littering of the forest in order to conserve it in its original form.
Most of the tourists are tiger centric & in their chase for tigers, visitors miss out on the opportunity of observing small living wonders, the landscape, the sunrise & sunset and a vast array of fauna that the forest has to offer. “If you go only with the expectation of sighting a tiger, you might miss out on the rest of the treasures that our jungles have to offer,” says Khanduja. Every small detail can leave you mesmerized and will take you to a different world, provided you are paying attention.
In a fast changing world, the idea of luxury is also something which is constantly evolving. In the last few years, with a worldwide rising concern on climate change and environmental impact of businesses, sustainable luxury has become a defining principle of reputed brands.
In India, hospitality is one of the sectors which most strategically trying to incorporate sustainable ideas while providing world class luxury experiences to their patrons. Most of the leading hospitality chains have undertaken some very pioneering interventions towards making luxury socially and environmentally responsible.
One of the market leaders in the segment, Aman-i-khas, a luxury wilderness camp in Ranthambhore, is extremely cautious in maintaining world class luxury yardsticks, while being environmentally cautious and engaged with the local communities for smooth functioning.
The camp makes sure its design and operations are in sync with the local surrounding and environment. It also constantly strives to engage with the local communities, actively involving them in day to day operations.
It places sustainably as the core practice in whatever it does. According to AnandShekhawat, general manager Aman India, it starts from a purpose and then it filters down to the minutest of the detailing. “The small steps we take across the camp’s operation bring a whole lot of difference in the conservation.” Utmost care is being taken to minimize camp’s ecological impact.
Emphasis on local sourcing
Most of the raw material at the camp’s kitchen, including vegetables, fruits and herbs comes from in-house organic gardens. The herbs and spices that are not grown at the camp are sourced from local communities. For example, Aman-i-Khas sources herbs and spices that are not grown at the camp from the neighboring villages, such as chillies from Chhan and coriander from Kota. This not only engages the local community but also ensures the quality and freshness of the product.
Most of the raw material at the camp’s kitchen, including vegetables, fruits and herbs comes from in-house organic gardens.
Also, the requirements of ghee and milk are fulfilled by inhabitants of villages around the Camp.
Engaging local communities
The Camp closes in June and reopens in September. Re-opening the camp every year is like starting a new hotel. It takes a month to dismantle and another 40-45 days to put the tents back at the camp, requiringa lot of capital and human resources on just stitching a tent for which the Camp engages local artists.
Newly erected cotton tents at Aman-i-Khas last for 3 years, basically 3 seasons, each season spanning across 7 months.Once discarded, the Northern side of the tent, where the sun’s exposure is limited, is used to make tiny makeshift tents which are given to local administration or to homeless people. The remaining part of the tent is utilized to make tote bags and proceeds of the sales of the bags go to the disabled schools the Camp supports.
Additionally, they regularly train villagers on the benefits of using the right technology, whether it’s for high yields or better crop survival or composting process.
The Camp also works with NGOs engaged in empowering women. For eg.before the camp reopened in September, a Chef at Aman-i-Khas took a session with 20 women on how to prepare pickles in Olive oil,” Anand told The Luxe Cafe.
Environmentally responsible/ Zero waste Policy:
Whatever comes in the camp, doesn’t go out.
For everything that comes in the camp, the amount of things that goes in the waste is equally high. “We have a rule — the waste doesn’t go out. So we have to find ways to use it. And then be careful as well,” says Shekhawat, adding, “We follow a strict rule of ‘No Plastic’ in the property. We tell our suppliers not to get any plastic at the camp”.
As a policy, Aman-i-khas grinds spices at the property to avoid plastic packets coming to the property. Spices that are not grown in the camp are sourced directly from neighboring farmers. This not only provides employment and better price to the local community but also ensures the spices are procured properly for the best quality.
The camp generates revenue from the things that don’t get consumed. “Our metal scrap gets sold, and can be recycled. Part of the tent cotton which has no use is put back in compost. The lindt that comes out from laundry washes is utilized for making Paper. The Camp has even set up a unit for paper making. May be someday we can put this unit to commercial use,” says Shekhawat.
The used/unwanted paper is also given another life through ancient art called paper mache to store grains or make little things like baskets to give away.
The camp is also careful of the Coal it uses for campfires. Tiny particles of coal are segregated from the ash that comes out of Campfire and used to make small coal brackets which are again reused for tandoors and other purposes.
Every tent uses 15 tons of AC unit to maintain the temperature inside. To ensure they consume less energy, Aman-i-Khas upgrades the air-conditioning to the latest technology. Additionally, the camp also uses solar power to generate at least 40 per cent of the energy consumed.
While India is still way behind the global curve on carbon neutrality, the strategic interventions by brands like Aman provide a hope that the future is bright and in the near future, India will evolve as one one the most sustainable economic destinations in the world.
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Invented by Chef Fat Boi, who detests thin, floppy, and dry wraps and rolls, Fat Wrap Fat Roll is his attempt to create a range of rolls and wraps that are giant, juicy and stuffed!
Before basking in the oven’s scorching heat, each wrap and roll is crowned with cheese and distinct toppings, resulting in a golden, shatteringly crispy shell, crusty cheese crust and a juicy symphony of flavours.
The menu has a vast representation of Indian flavoured rolls and worldwide flavoured wraps. Varying from full-on desi to star spangled American, from subtle Italian to spicy Southeast Asian. Some of the bestsellers include the Fattest Paneer Makhani Fat Roll, Siracha Chicken & Sweet Chilli Fat Wrap and Tandoori Mint Chicken Tikka Fat Roll.
Ultimate Veggie Fat Wrap (Packed in with Honey Mustard and Cheesy Sauce, Herby Paneer, Black Olives, Sweetcorn, Red Paprika, Mushrooms, Capsicum, Cheddar, with another helping of Red Paprika and Capsicum on top) is highly recommended.
Since the innovations with Fat Wraps are endless, Fat Wrap Fat Roll will soon launch various flavours over the next few months with an innovative sides menu including a nacho bar, a french fry poutine bar and more. Fat Wrap Fat Roll is currently a delivery-only brand with 11 outlets spread across the NCR.
What we Loved?
The supersized wraps and rolls are extremely filling and stuffed with fresh ingredients, premium meats and juicy sauces and are encased in a flour tortilla.
We highly recommend its Ultimate Veggie Fat Wrap and Chicken Pepperoni Pizza Fat Wrap.
