The Oberoi Group has unveiled its newest property, the Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort, located near Bandhavgarh National Park, India’s sanctuary for Royal Bengal tigers. The 21-acre resort, designed by New Delhi-based Studio Lotus, is imagined as a forest retreat where the wilderness and tribal traditions of the region meet the Old World charm of a hunting lodge.
A design rooted in place
The property’s master plan retains existing trees, boulders, and a water catchment that was developed into a perennial lake that anchors the experience. “The site is revealed gradually through meandering paths, open-air spaces, and unmanicured planting that draws the forest edge deep into the property, inviting guests to slow down and immerse themselves in the environment,” says Ankur Choksi, cofounding principal at Studio Lotus.
Designed to mirror the natural beauty and heritage of the Vindhya mountain ranges, the Oberoi Vindhyavilas draws heavily from the local craftsmanship of the Gond and Baiga tribes.
Upon entering the resort, guests are welcomed by a monumental wooden entrance door adorned with tribal carvings handcrafted by Gond artisans. The entry serves as a striking invitation into a space designed to immerse visitors in central India’s rich cultural heritage.
A winding forest drive from the entrance culminates at the main communal building dubbed the Lodge. The structure is built from locally quarried Katni sandstone, rubble masonry, and brick composite walls, with pitched clay-tiled roofs and deep wraparound verandahs that withstand monsoons. Inside, a double-height living and dining space evokes a private residence, extending outward through a semi-covered verandah to views of the lake and the Bandhavgarh forest beyond.
The central lounge and bar, bathed in natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows, showcase pale Katni stone, a locally sourced material. The interiors are warmed by vivid Gond artwork that offers a modern tribute to the region’s indigenous communities.
“Collaborations with local artisans, initiated early in the design process, allowed tribal motifs, techniques, and symbolic narratives to inform surface articulation across the resort—expressed in plaster relief, hand-chiseled stone, embroidery, and carved timber,” Choksi explains. “These handcrafted layers create an unmistakable sense of place, connecting guests to the people and cultural landscape of the region.”
Accommodations at the Oberoi Vindhyavilas
The property features 19 luxury tents and two expansive villas, each adorned with tribal artistry. Interiors feature handpainted wildlife imagery by local artist Rakesh Prajapati, while tented canopies are decorated with intricate tribal motifs.
Sliding glass doors open onto oversized decks and private gardens filled with flowering kachnar trees, creating a connection with the surrounding 21-acre forested landscape.
Dining spaces
The resort’s F&B concepts include the Dining Room, Tree Court, and the Bush Kitchen, which offers an al fresco dining experience by the lake, set against warm, wood-lined interiors.
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