Rambha Palace Opens on the Banks of Odisha’s Chilika Lake, Offering a Royal Experience

Rambha Palace Opens on the Banks of Odisha’s Chilika Lake, Offering a Royal Experience

By Nishang Narayan

Published on October 7, 2024

Rambha Palace, a majestic 18th-century royal residence, has opened its doors to discerning travellers, offering an immersive experience on the tranquil banks of Chilika Lake, Asia's largest saltwater lagoon. After six years of meticulous restoration, led by renowned tropical modernist architect Channa Daswatte, the palace has been reborn, reflecting its original grandeur and Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. Channa Daswatte, a protégé of the iconic Geoffrey Bawa, has seamlessly blended the palace’s classical architecture with contemporary luxury, creating a unique fusion of past and present.

This remarkable opening enhances Hidden India’s portfolio of boutique luxury hotels, offering a serene escape for travellers looking to explore Odisha’s vibrant history, nature, and traditions. The palace invites guests to unwind and reconnect with nature through its focus on mindfulness and slow living, offering experiences that encourage patrons to pause, reflect, and savour every moment of their stay.

Himangini Singh, co-founder of Hunch Ventures, expressed her excitement during the grand opening, stating, “Rambha Palace is a testament to Odisha’s historical significance. Guests can experience the state’s vibrant culture and traditions in all their grandeur and glory. The region's natural beauty beckons exploration, and I am thrilled to welcome guests to uncover Odisha through the lens of Rambha Palace.” Singh also emphasized the deep cultural roots reflected in the palace’s design and decor.

Sri Lankan architect Channa Daswatte further elaborated, “The architecture of Rambha, with its classical planning and Odisha-inspired textures, offers an immersive experience in the unique design ethos of the region.”

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Beyond its architectural splendor, Rambha Palace holds historical significance as the site of the first Utkal Conference, a pivotal event that led to the foundation of the independent state of Odisha. The palace, now a luxurious boutique hotel, offers an unparalleled blend of history, nature, and luxury.

Situated along the shores of Chilika Lake, the palace provides unforgettable bird-watching opportunities, as the region is home to a rich diversity of wildlife. Guests are treated to breathtaking lake views while indulging in the serene surroundings. To ensure a seamless and indulgent experience, each guest is assigned a personal butler throughout their stay.

The culinary offerings at Rambha Palace are equally impressive, with seven distinct cuisines available, including local Odia flavours. The property caters to a variety of dietary preferences, offering vegan and Satvik meals, allergen-free options, and personalised meal plans for those on detox and wellness retreats. Dining options range from a formal dining room and al fresco settings to a poolside cafe, two bars, riverside picnics, and beachside meals.

For those seeking rejuvenation, the Mantnam Spa at Rambha Palace provides a comprehensive wellness experience inspired by ancient Indian practices. Guests can indulge in a range of Ayurvedic therapies, including massages, facials, scrubs, and wraps, along with personalised yoga sessions. Each treatment is designed to promote healing, balance, and longevity, ensuring a refreshing and holistic retreat.

With its meticulous attention to detail and commitment to preserving Odisha’s rich history, Rambha Palace promises to be a unique destination for luxury travellers seeking a blend of cultural immersion, nature, and relaxation.


The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa Redefines Luxury Destination Weddings in Rajasthan

The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa Redefines Luxury Destination Weddings in Rajasthan

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 12, 2026

The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is emerging as a sought-after destination for luxury weddings in Rajasthan, bringing together scenic landscapes, elegant venues, curated experiences, and premium hospitality under one roof.

Located amidst the peaceful surroundings of Pushkar and close to the town’s spiritual landmarks, the resort offers panoramic 360-degree views of the Aravalli Hills along with stunning sunset backdrops, creating a memorable setting for wedding celebrations.

The property features four outdoor and two indoor venues designed to host multi-day wedding festivities with ease. One of the standout spaces at the resort is its dome-shaped venue inspired by the Shiv Ling, offering a unique setting for sacred pheras. The expansive lawns and smooth baraat processions within the property further add to the grand wedding experience while ensuring convenience for guests.

The resort houses more than 98 rooms and private villas, including pool villas and plunge pool villas, making it ideal for exclusive wedding buyouts. The spacious accommodation setup allows families and guests to celebrate together in privacy and comfort throughout the festivities.

Adding to the experience are the resort’s wellness and leisure offerings, including its premium spa, multiple swimming pools, and the Westin WORKOUT Fitness Studio. Guests can also enjoy a range of indoor and outdoor recreational activities designed for all age groups.

On the culinary front, the resort offers diverse dining experiences ranging from global cuisine at Seasonal Tastes to rooftop dining with panoramic views at Panorama. The hotel also provides customised wedding menus curated to match the style and preferences of each celebration.

Speaking about the wedding experience at the resort, Vijay Chandran, General Manager, said, “Weddings today are about creating immersive, meaningful experiences, and at The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa, we bring together nature, luxury, and thoughtful service to make every celebration truly personal and memorable. Our aim is to offer couples and their families a seamless, all-in-one destination where every detail is taken care of.”

Combining luxury accommodation, elegant venues, wellness experiences, and personalised hospitality, The Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa continues to position itself as a refined destination for unforgettable weddings in Rajasthan.


Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park Unveils Summer Series for Kids with Le Petit Chef Experience

Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park Unveils Summer Series for Kids with Le Petit Chef Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on May 12, 2026

Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park has unveiled a specially curated summer series designed for young diners, bringing an immersive and interactive dining concept to the city through the globally acclaimed experience Le Petit Chef.

Timed with the school summer break, the initiative is aimed at families looking for engaging and memorable dining experiences that go beyond traditional restaurant formats. The highlight of the series is Le Petit Chef, a storytelling-driven culinary presentation where animated chefs appear directly on dining tables, guiding guests through a playful, multi-course gastronomic journey.

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The experience blends projection mapping technology, narrative storytelling, and curated cuisine to transform dining into a theatrical event. Each course is presented as part of a visual story, where the animated chef “prepares” dishes in real time, offering children a highly interactive and imaginative way to engage with food.

At Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, the summer programming is scheduled every Saturday and Sunday, with additional weekday sessions available on special request. The initiative is designed to cater specifically to young diners, encouraging curiosity, engagement, and family interaction through a shared dining experience.

The hotel has positioned this offering as part of its broader focus on experiential hospitality, where dining is not limited to consumption but extended into storytelling and memory-making. The concept is also intended to offer returning guests a refreshed experience, while introducing first-time visitors to a globally recognised format of immersive dining.

For families, the experience provides a unique alternative to conventional summer outings, combining entertainment with cuisine in a controlled, indoor environment suited for children.

With this initiative, Hilton Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park continues to expand its experiential programming, reinforcing its positioning as a destination for innovative family-friendly hospitality experiences in Bengaluru


Opulent Oasis Hospitality Debuts with ‘Wild Calm’ Gir Retreat, Enters Experiential Hospitality Space

Opulent Oasis Hospitality Debuts with ‘Wild Calm’ Gir Retreat, Enters Experiential Hospitality Space

By Hariharan U

Published on May 12, 2026

Opulent Oasis Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. has officially entered the hospitality sector with the launch of its debut experiential retreat, Wild Calm, marking a strategic foray into nature-led and experience-driven travel formats in India.

Founded by hospitality professional Bhavik Sheth, the venture positions itself in the growing experiential tourism segment, aiming to bridge the gap between high-end luxury stays and standardised commercial hospitality offerings. The company’s vision is centred on creating destination-led experiences that prioritise emotional connection, local context, and immersive design over scale-driven expansion.

Located in Sasan Gir, Gujarat, one of India’s most significant wildlife regions, Wild Calm will feature 53 keys, including private pool villas and immersive accommodation formats. The retreat is designed with a strong emphasis on nature integration and experiential living, offering a combination of leisure, wellness, and curated cultural engagement.

The property will include a clubhouse, swimming pool, multi-cuisine restaurant, kitchen garden, and an activity arena for curated programming. Outdoor amenities such as pickleball courts, box cricket facilities, and landscaped green zones including a Miyawaki forest further reinforce the retreat’s nature-first design philosophy.

Guest experiences at Wild Calm are structured around flexible, narrative-driven journeys. These include botanical walks, storytelling sessions, pottery workshops, curated high tea experiences, and slow evening rituals designed to encourage mindfulness and connection with the surrounding ecosystem.

Speaking on the launch, founder Bhavik Sheth said hospitality today has become highly standardised, often losing emotional depth despite operational efficiency. He emphasised that the goal of Opulent Oasis Hospitality is to design spaces that feel intuitive, rooted, and memorable, where experience is embedded into every layer of the stay rather than added as an activity.

Sheth previously worked with Evoke Experiences, where he contributed to the development of large-scale experiential properties such as Rann Utsav, further strengthening his background in destination-led hospitality design.

With Wild Calm as its inaugural project, the company plans a selective expansion strategy across wildlife destinations, eco-tourism circuits, desert landscapes, and culturally rich regions, while also exploring opportunities in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets as well as emerging spiritual tourism segments.

Rather than pursuing rapid portfolio scale, Opulent Oasis Hospitality has indicated a focus on carefully curated destinations with strong ecological and cultural narratives, aligning with the broader shift in India’s travel industry toward experiential and purpose-driven hospitality

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