The Earth at Ranthambore: A Perfect Blend of Eco-Conscious Luxury and Wilderness

The Earth at Ranthambore: A Perfect Blend of Eco-Conscious Luxury and Wilderness

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on June 5, 2024

The Earth at Ranthambore in Rajasthan is now fully operational, offering an eco-conscious luxury experience amidst the wilderness. This unique property stands out as the only resort in Ranthambore where sustainability and luxury coexist seamlessly.

With the recent addition of 12 new, eco-friendly cottages, The Earth at Ranthambore now features a total of 37 cottages made from mud, wood, and limestone, spread across nearly five acres of lush greenery. These new cottages are not only durable and energy-efficient but also fireproof, constructed primarily from soil and wood.

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Rohit Pareek, Managing Director of The Earth at Ranthambore, emphasizes their commitment to sustainability. “Our goal was to blend with the local ecology rather than disrupt it. We used natural and sustainable materials sourced from around the site to build these cottages. Our rammed mud and cob earth walls are self-insulating and energy-efficient, maintaining a stable internal temperature through all seasons,” Pareek explains.

Earth Structure Benefits

The Earth structures at Ranthambore offer numerous benefits:

Warm, Dry, and Healthy: These cottages provide a healthy indoor environment, counteracting humidity and maintaining a stable internal temperature throughout the seasons. This creates a warm and dry living space that is energy efficient.

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Non-Toxic: Built with non-toxic materials, the cottages ensure a safe and healthy environment for guests.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly: These structures are low in embodied energy and produce reduced waste during the building process. They fit seamlessly into the landscape and look great while being sustainable.

Strong and Durable: The cottages are weather-resistant and suitable for a range of climates. Experienced rammers ensure maximum strength and durability for every project.

Unique and Customized Look: Each cottage has a unique and customised appearance, blending perfectly with the natural surroundings.

Energy Efficient: The natural insulation of these cottages reduces the need for power-based heating and cooling systems, contributing to energy efficiency.

Noise, Pest, and Fire Proof: The cottages are sound insulated, reduce pest problems, and are fire-resistant, offering a secure and peaceful stay.

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Designed by renowned architect Eugene Pandala, The Earth at Ranthambore offers a range of amenities to enhance the guest experience. Guests can enjoy the all-day multi-cuisine restaurant (Tattva), a swimming pool (Taranaalya), and a recreation hall. For those seeking cultural experiences, Raasa provides an outdoor dining venue, while Kriya, the open-air amphitheater, hosts folk performances and wildlife documentaries. The spa, Sattva, offers a serene space for relaxation and rejuvenation.

The resort boasts seven categories of rooms, each designed to offer a unique blend of rustic charm and modern comfort:

Ambar Villas (5): These villas, crafted using the ancient cob earth technique, feature a king-size bed on the ground floor, a twin-sized bed on the mezzanine, and a spacious verandah overlooking the resort's Miyawaki forest. They also include an open-to-the-sky shower.

Neer Cottages (8): These intimate mud cottages, ideal for honeymooners and couples, come with a private indoor pool, a large bed, and a personal sit-out area.

Vayu Villas (4): Majestic duplex villas made entirely from rammed mud and cob earth, featuring a king-size bed on the ground floor, two twin-sized beds on the mezzanine, and an open-to-the-sky shower.

Tejas Cottages (8): Sustainably crafted mud cottages with an open-to-the-sky shower, offering a direct connection to nature.

Dhara Rooms (4): Luxurious cottages made entirely from stone and lime with oxide-finished floors and a personal sit-out area.

Vanam Cottages (4): Unique wooden cottages overlooking a tranquil pond, featuring an open-to-the-sky shower.

Anantam Rooms (4): Elegant rooms with stone and lime mortar construction, wooden flooring, a lavish bathtub, a kitchenette, and a private balcony.

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Located just 600 meters from Ranthambore National Park, 10 km from the railway station, and 4 km from the Trinetra Ganesh temple, the resort is easily accessible, being a five-hour drive from the National Capital Region (NCR) of New Delhi.

The Earth at Ranthambore takes pride in its sustainable construction practices. “We recycle or reuse materials from different stages of the build where possible and source materials locally to reduce carbon emissions,” adds Pareek.


Gimlet Garden at AER, Four Seasons Mumbai Redefines Cocktail Culture with Culinary Flair

Gimlet Garden at AER, Four Seasons Mumbai Redefines Cocktail Culture with Culinary Flair

By Hariharan U

Published on October 31, 2025

High above Mumbai’s ever-buzzing skyline, AER at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai continues to set the tone for sophisticated evenings. Adding a refreshing new chapter to its story, the rooftop bar introduces Gimlet Garden, an enchanting hideaway of greenery and understated elegance that invites guests to unwind and savour the art of crafted cocktails.

At Gimlet Garden, cocktails aren’t just drinks they’re culinary adventures in a glass. The new menu draws inspiration from ports and coastal traditions across the world, turning familiar ingredients into bold expressions of culture. Think truffle and basil, tamarind and green apple, or even squid-infused gin paired with shiso leaf  creative combinations that redefine how a cocktail can taste and feel.

Each creation on the menu carries its own story. The Oaxaca Me Margata captures Mexico’s warmth through smoky agave, cacao, and chili, while the Citrus Caravan Paloma sparkles with grapefruit and kokum, a playful nod to global markets. The Siren’s Cove, blending coconut tequila, mulberry liqueur, sloe gin, and black tea, evokes the ocean’s rhythm, while Giloy brings layered complexity through tequila, Martini Extra Dry, Cointreau, D.O.M. Bénédictine, and subtle notes of Islay peat, Penja pepper, cucumber, shiso, and milk oolong. For those who crave something truly unexpected, the Pescadito transforms Peru’s iconic ceviche into a bright, savoury liquid experience.

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The menu extends beyond drinks, pairing each cocktail with globally inspired small plates. Dishes like The Bombay Guac, Salmon Ceviche with Peruvian Tiger’s Milk, and Truffle and Parmesan Fries complement the cocktails perfectly, creating a seamless connection between kitchen and bar.

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“Our new menu at Gimlet Garden is designed to take our guests on a journey,” says Nitesh Gandhi, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai. “Each cocktail and dish is a narrative in itself, crafted with care, creativity, and intention. Whether at golden hour or under a starlit sky, Gimlet Garden offers an experience that is both intimate and inspiring, where every moment lingers long after the last sip.”

With panoramic views, lush ambience, and a spirit that celebrates flavour and artistry, Gimlet Garden at AER is more than a rooftop bar, it’s a sensory escape above the city, where mixology meets gastronomy and every visit turns into a lasting memory.


The LaLiT Mumbai Showcases “Cause of You bvby”, A Celebration of Art and Inclusivity

By Hariharan U

Published on October 31, 2025

The LaLiT Mumbai has once again reaffirmed its status as a beacon of art, culture, and inclusivity with the launch of “Cause of You bvby”, a visually stunning music video collaboration by Rahul Rajkhowa, ICONYK, and UpsideDown. Filmed inside the hotel’s magnificent 96-foot-high atrium, the video beautifully captures the creative spirit that defines The LaLiT Mumbai.

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This collaboration has quickly become the city’s latest buzz, not just for its music but for the space that made it possible. The LaLiT Mumbai, where architecture, sound, and soul meet serves as the perfect canvas for such artistic expressions.

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Some spaces don't just host you they inspire you. Grateful to collaborate with The LaLiT Group, a brand that truly celebrates art, music, and creativity. From the vibe to the vision, The LaLiT became our creative haven for this project,” shares Rahul Rajkhowa, National Award-winning singer-songwriter and one of India’s most versatile contemporary artists.

Rajkhowa has performed across 36 cities spanning India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bhutan, exploring sounds from Pop and Reggae to Hip Hop and Blues. Known for his global musical outlook, he became the first Indian artist to release an independent Korean collaboration album with RnB star Jimmy Brown. His work has appeared alongside major international artists like Jennie, Jungkook, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Rosé on Spotify editorial playlists, while he has shared the stage with icons such as Ne-Yo, Steve Vai, Ronan Keating, and The Lumineers.

Outside of music, Rahul also serves as a History teacher, Visiting Professor at IIM Ranchi, and the founder of Rajkhowa & Arya Aid, a non-profit that has helped over 2,500 flood-affected families in Assam and supported education in rural communities.

Joining forces with him, ICONYK, a Canada-born, India-based producer and composer, adds his signature sonic artistry to the track. Known for blending pop, poetry, and folk influences, ICONYK has modernised Assamese folk music, earned a National Award, composed for Sonakshi Sinha, and produced tracks for Sanjay Dutt’s Bhootni.

The LaLiT Mumbai, known for its grandeur and artistic soul, offers much more than luxury. Home to Asia’s largest atrium lobby, the property features remarkable artworks including Tripathga by Manmohan Bhaskar and Ashwamedha Turang by Satish Gujral. Regular live performances by Zoheb Khan of the Banaras Gharana add a touch of heritage and rhythm to the ambiance.

With collaborations like this, we celebrate creativity in all its forms,” says Mr. Nischint Pathania, General Manager, The LaLiT Mumbai. “At The LaLiT Mumbai, we see art as an emotion that connects people beyond boundaries. Our vision is to create spaces where creativity thrives, voices are heard, and inclusivity is embraced.”

With its artistic essence, exceptional hospitality, and inclusive spirit, The LaLiT Mumbai continues to be not just a luxury destination — but a living, breathing space for culture and connection


Ennismore to Open the First Lifestyle All-Inclusive Resort in Ras Al Khaimah

Ennismore to Open the First Lifestyle All-Inclusive Resort in Ras Al Khaimah

By Hariharan U

Published on October 30, 2025

Ennismore, the world’s fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, has announced the upcoming opening of SO/ Ras Al Khaimah, marking the brand’s first all-inclusive resort outside Europe and Ennismore’s debut lifestyle hotel in Ras Al Khaimah. The resort is slated to open in November 2025.

Set along Ras Al Khaimah’s spectacular coastline — where desert, mangroves, and mountains meet the turquoise Arabian Sea, SO/ Ras Al Khaimah brings a fashion-inspired aesthetic to a stunning beachfront escape. The property will feature 257 guestrooms and suites across seven categories, each offering uninterrupted sea views and interiors inspired by the region’s natural hues — sunset oranges, ocean teals, and stone neutrals — paired with walnut wood and bronze accents for warmth and elegance.

The resort will feature five distinct dining destinations curated by Ennismore’s Global F&B Platform. Guests can explore diverse culinary experiences at:

  • The Market, a casual all-day restaurant

  • Chiano, serving refined Mediterranean and Italian cuisine

  • Hadaba, offering Levantine-inspired dining

  • Floating World, a Pan-Asian and Japanese specialty restaurant

  • Savant, a high-energy cocktail bar with live entertainment on the 10th floor

Complementing the line-up are two pool bars, Cabini and Bungalow (an adults-only space) — along with an independent beach club. The property will also include event and meeting spaces, including a 345-guest function hall, pre-function area, and flexible workshop zones.

Wellness takes center stage at SO/ Ras Al Khaimah, with a spa featuring treatment rooms, sauna, and a cold-water pool. Guests can enjoy fitness classes, a 24-hour gym, or nearby outdoor activities including golf, horse riding, kayaking, and sunrise dune walks.

Strategically located at the entrance of Al Marjan Island, the resort will be part of a new wave of luxury developments in Ras Al Khaimah — home to cultural landmarks, designer boutiques, and the region’s first casino. According to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the emirate recorded 1.28 million overnight visitors in 2024, reflecting a 12% increase in tourism revenue as it moves toward its goal of 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030.

Ras Al Khaimah’s rise as an all-inclusive luxury destination follows the success of Rixos Bab Al Bahr and Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah, both of which set new benchmarks for immersive experiences that combine gastronomy, entertainment, and design. Building on this momentum, SO/ introduces a fresh, style-driven perspective to the all-inclusive segment.

The opening underscores Ennismore’s growth in the global lifestyle all-inclusive space, now boasting a portfolio of over 60 resorts representing more than 25,000 rooms worldwide. Recent milestones include Rixos Tersane Istanbul, SLS Playa Mujeres, and Hyde Bodrum, with upcoming projects across Mexico, Egypt, Dubai, and Vietnam.

SO/ Ras Al Khaimah will join Ennismore’s ALL Inclusive Collection, a curated platform that unites leading brands such as Rixos, SO/, Hyde, SLS, and Swissôtel. The collection redefines traditional all-inclusive stays by offering immersive luxury experiences with design, dining, and entertainment at their core.

Cenk Unverdi, COO of Rixos & All-Inclusive Collection - GCC, Central Asia & Europe, Ennismore, said, “Ras Al Khaimah is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing luxury destinations in the region, making it the perfect location to debut the first SO/ all-inclusive resort in the Middle East. Building on the success of Rixos through the ALL Inclusive Collection, we’re delighted to welcome the first lifestyle all-inclusive resort to the emirate. SO/ Ras Al Khaimah will offer a timeless, intimate take on the art of escape — where bold design, exceptional food, and creativity merge into a seamless experience.”

About Ennismore:
Founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Sharan Pasricha, Ennismore is a global collective of entrepreneurial, founder-led brands that embody creativity, community, and purpose. A joint venture with Accor since 2021, Ennismore has grown into a leading lifestyle hospitality group with 16 brands, 180+ hotels, 500+ restaurants and bars, and 45+ branded residences across 40+ countries.

For more information, visit ennismore.com.

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