The Oberoi Vindhyavilas
Bandhavgarh, India
Vibe
Evenings center on crackling bonfires at The Tree Court, where naturalist storytelling and twilight drinks precede dawn safaris.
“Forested safari outpost”
Patterned tent canopies, timbered Katni stone lounges, and wildlife murals hand-painted by local artist Rakesh Prajapati.
Attentive safari service with personalized details, bedside charging care, and dedicated morning departure coordination.
Royal Baghelkhand recipes, foraged kachnar welcomes, and immersion in indigenous Gond and Baiga craft traditions.
On a forested twenty-one-acre estate outside the gates of Bandhavgarh National Park.
“Spread across 21 acres, the resort is composed of tented suites and pool villas set in private gardens with decks overlooking fields and forest.”
Rooms
Tents feature gold-flecked canopies and Gond murals, opening onto floating decks bordered by flowering kachnar and frangipani gardens.
“Push past a grand wooden door hand-chiseled by Gond artisans…you arrive at a soaring lounge and bar space, bathed in natural light from floor-to-ceiling glass windows”
Wellness
An outdoor infinity pool looks across the lake, paired with an Ayurvedic spa offering botanical therapies and morning yoga.
“Set on 21 acres near Bandhavgarh National Park, Oberoi Vindhyavilas blends sleek architecture with local artistry...”
Backstory
Conceived by the late PRS Oberoi, the outpost was named after the ancient Vindhya range that shapes the surrounding landscape.
Eat & drink
Royal Baghelkhand recipes and wood-fired dishes lead the Dining Room, while The Bush Kitchen serves open-air grills beside the lake.
The neighborhood
Set outside Bandhavgarh National Park, the estate offers easy access to tiger safaris through the bamboo and sal forests.
The app
This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate, in your pocket, for the whole trip.
Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
They did this well. You’ll notice.
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Architecture and interiors lead. There’s a creative vision at work.
The guest is conspicuously well cared for. Requests met before they’re made.
Rooted in place. Local character runs through the whole stay.
Energy and scene. Where the city goes out, whether or not it’s sleeping here.
A building with history. The story of the place is part of the stay.
Built around feeling better. Rest, sweat, soak, spa.
A hotel the city grew up with. Same rituals, same regulars.
A world of its own. No reason to leave the property.
Scene — what’s outside the door
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
A place apart: the property is the destination.