Sudipta Dev – Mumbai
Samode Safari Lodge at Bandhavgarh, a part of heritage hotel group Samode Hotels, is the latest inclusion in the exclusive club of Relais & Chateaux luxury network. The property that comprises of 12 villas, is located near the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve that has one of the largest concentration of tigers in the world. “We fell in love with Africa when we visited there several times and thought of creating something close to the experience here in India. This led to building the Samode Safari Lodge. We have stuck to the basics of Samode style but did some innovation for this property,” said Yadavendra Singh, owner, Samode Hotels. Pointing out that this property is now a part of Relais & Chateaux family, Singh hoped that the association would continue for a long time.
Established in 1954, Relais & Chateaux will be completing 60 years in 2014. Currently there are 520 members in 62 countries. Joerg Drechsel, founder of Malabar House in Kochi, the first Relais & Chateaux property in India, and currently the chairman of the Asian chapter of Relais & Chateaux said, “Relais & Chateaux is an association. It is not a marketing company. It is not a chain of hotels or hotel companies, but a family of like-minded hoteliers. It is an exclusive club of hotels and restaurants. Food is an integral part of Relais & Chateaux culture. Relais & Chateaux properties are operated by passionate owners and we are happy that Samode Safari Lodge is joining us. The property has blended sophisticated Rajasthani essence with wildlife lodges of Africa and created something unique.”
Samode Safari Lodge conducts two scheduled safaris every day. Guests are accompanied by guides and naturalists. The architecture of the property has been inspired by local culture. The property comprises of two main lodges with lounges on the top floor.
Samode Hotels is one of Rajasthan’s leading heritage hotel groups that is owned and managed by the descendents of the royal family of Samode. The properties in Rajasthan include Samode Palace, Samode Haveli and Samode Bagh. Samode Safari Lodge Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh is the group’s first property outside the state.
