gINKgo | The RARE Newsletter | Latest at RARE | Vol 96
CONSCIOUS LUXURY TRAVEL
How a hotel weaves the story of a destination is integral to defining a RARE heritage hotel, wildlife lodge or retreat. While this builds a unique character for the hotels, it is also easily identifiable as RARE and builds experiences that align with our vision for slow travel. “The owner story is a unique perspective which commands a premium no chain or group hotel can match. It also builds multiple highlights as experiences, community outreach, immersions and activities into a swell program.”
Tourism done right can offer better choices for travellers – choosing hotels that are mindful about showcasing the region, often promoting areas of low tourist footprint, travelling in seasons often overlooked and ensuring that tourism continues to build a positive impact for residents and also ensures that the quality of the destination remains intact.
In its twenty-first year since inception, we re-write our growth story to build back focus for small, boutique and owner-run hotels. You will see our collection shift away from large and growing hotel groups, and those whose ethos no longer matches with the rest of the community. This is a welcome change as RARE is visibly invested in hotels that believe in community-inclusive and planet-sensitive tourism that intentionally look to add value to tourism. Do check our latest updated collection here.
Our Latest at RARE is set around the ancient sites of Bhaktapur in Nepal, Ellora, and Cuttack as well as established tourism destinations of Jaipur, Mount Abu, Gurugram and Manali.
ShivAdya, Himachal Pradesh
Set away from Manali, ShivAdya in Karjan village is in an apple orchard with views of the mountain valley and the backdrop of a dense protected forest. The design and concept of this Himalayan getaway is inspired by village houses, wooden temples, colonial buildings, and old royal bungalows around Himachal. ShiVadya has used stone, wood, and mud in its construction, a unique hill architecture that is earthquake resistant and conducive to the climate of Manali about 6000 ft above sea level.
With in-house experiences like cooking lessons and cultural activities – Ritesh and Neelam showcase ShivAdya as a destination with every season offering experiences that highlight festivals, cuisine, nature, art and history around. Its location is also ideal for various exciting hikes and treks, and also as a stopover for people heading towards Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh.
Laalee, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Laalee, an Indian word hinting at divine love, is a luxurious boutique guest house in the heart of Jaipur. The living canvas of Shan, an artist whose muse is the ‘Pichwai’ style of art, has painted the devotion of the gopis towards Krishna which resonates in themes like celebrations, procession, prayer, seasons, peacocks, sunsets etc. A home operated with the detailed eye and culinary expertise of Devyani, Laalee is an art house, café, hotel and quiet space. If people make spaces, Laalee stands out as one of those RARE places warm and hospitable, surrounded by art and colours of joy.
Wordsworth Lodge, Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Nestled amidst the forested foothills of Gurushikar, Wordsworth Lodge hints at poetry and romance and sits in perfect harmony with the landscape of the Aravallis. Diana Wordsworth, a descendant of the celebrated poet William Wordsworth, journeyed to India for a film project on the Ganga and fell in love with Colonel Buddha Sen of the Indian Army. Wishing to make a home here, Diana with the guidance of Fateh Singh Rathore, then a young ranger, built the lodge designed by architect Rumy Shroff. Sadly Colonel Sen passed away before the lodge was completed and Diana bequeathed the lodge to Fateh Singh.
As a part of the Khem Villas collection, Govardhan has meticulously restored Wordsworth Lodge, preserving its timeless charm for visitors to relish the same breathtaking views and tranquillity. The Lodge will be ideal for travellers as a short break, for birders and nature enthusiasts and itinerant travellers connecting Rajasthan from Udaipur and Bera into Gujarat.
领英推荐
Sadhrana Bagh, Near Gurgaon
Sadhrana Bagh is just under an hour from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. In a region pressed into massive development – Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary – a Ramsar site stands as a small island with a handful of farmhouses surrounding it like a community linking its hands in protection, Sadhrana Bagh is one of them. With all the farmland around more or less building sites now, this region of about a 5 sqkm radius continues to be a haven for migratory birds and local wildlife. The proximity to the sanctuary ensures that Sadhrana Bagh, built on two adjacent farms with slow village life around has the luxury of bird song.
An ode to the design genius of Pradeep Sachdeva, Sadhrana Bagh is a visual congregation of four buildings – architectural ideas taken from the local and vernacular, a transplanted Tharavad home from Kerala, and an experiment with bamboo construction. What you cannot miss is the wide open spaces, flowering arches, fruiting trees, a cacti mound, two swimming pools with open decks and the owls that line up as you drive in.
Kila Dalijoda, Odisha
The story of the East is still unfolding and Debjit stands among the region’s most passionate crusaders for experiential tourism. Located close to Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack is Kila Dalijoda – a heritage homestay with easy access to the Dalijoda forest range and Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary nearby.
The two-storey colonial-style red laterite building was built in 1931 and left to decay for nearly three decades. It was Debjit’s personal vision, funds and energy that ensured a sustained restoration and repurposing of this building as a family-run homestay. Meals are prepared in-house with a fully powered bio-gas kitchen under Namrata’s guidance with local produce brought in fresh every day. Pulling in experiences from all directions, activities at Kila Daijoda include walking through villages, angling, birding, jungle walks, safaris in Bhitarkarnika National Park, visiting textile and craft centres and experiencing Odisha’s cuisine traditions.
The Nanee, Nepal
A charming heritage boutique hotel, The Nanee is located in the spiritual core of the Kathmandu Valley, in the ancient city known as Bhaktapur - once celebrated as the City of Devotees.
A neighbour to the modern capital, this is an ideal addition to Kathmandu due to the wealth of cultural experiences it offers. Ancestors of the Malla kings of the 13th century, the family of The Nanee offer immersions that include meeting Newari craftsmen, monument visits, unique festivals, an insight to the mystical and revered tantric practices, and a culinary tour of Bhaktapur.
Abode Ahangama, Sri Lanka
Set close to Ahangama Beach, Abode Ahangama is twenty minutes by road from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort. The architectural blueprint of the hotel, dating back to the 1950s by a Danish architect, was meticulously preserved to maintain its original integration with the natural surroundings. Large airy rooms and bathrooms with restored vintage furniture and original artworks are the norm and the pool is amidst a tropical garden. Meals are fresh with Sri Lankan and seafood specialties at the retreat though nearby cafes and restaurants provide a great variety too.
Visit the fishing communities to gain an insight into traditional stilt fishing methods, or book a treatment in the spa room. The beach is a great surfing spot, ideal for beginners, and the place to be for unforgettable sunsets.
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Founder of The Wander Therapy, an ethical travel media website promoting India
5 个月That’s fantastic! Enabling interactions between the guests and local communities, & helping them explore a destination through a unique lens makes the stay experience truly special.