New Launch | ARAMNESS- The Birth of a New Indian Safari Experience

The Birth of a New Indian Safari Experience

Situated on the fringe of the Sasan Gir National Park, where the last remaining Asiatic lions in the world coexist with the semi-nomadic Maldhari tribe, Aramness Gir, a new style safari lodge, is set to open in October 2021. 

Owner Jimmy Patel’s passion for the wilderness, dedication to conservation and love for Gujarat has come together to create an experience entrenched in local culture, designed with authenticity and luxury in equal measure providing a wildlife experience that rewrites the script.

Located within the 18 square kilometre area that skirts the National Park, Aramness Gir sits within a rarely undeveloped natural paradise in a protected teak forest. This forest is home to abundant bird and animal species freely roaming between the park and the lodge.

Aramness is the culmination of collaborative design between internationally renowned Fox Browne Creative and Nicholas Plewman Architects to create a truly unique and immersive experience in the Indian wilderness. The lodge design takes its inspiration from the characteristic local village, Haripur, with its central cobbled streets fringed with courtyard homes (kothis). Natural forest and meadow gardens have been revived on the property wherever possible and are experienced in and around the kothis and guest areas, merging the natural habitat of the area with the built environment and paying homage to the original use of the land as farmland.

Each of the 18 sensitively appointed private village-style kothis take their cue from the charmingly informal arrangement of the local Gujarati village homes, whose buildings develop spontaneously with time. True to the name (Aramness – peaceful village), the understated yet utterly luxurious interiors have been designed to instill deep comfort and tranquility and have been constructed using the many natural materials and craft techniques native to Gujarat and India.

The lodge houses 15 standalone single bedroom kothis and 3 standalone double bedroom kothis with a shared dining space. Each kothi is a spacious double storey building that draws on the honesty of materials, and the sophistication of simplicity. All kothis have a cool shaded courtyard and upper deck veranda that overlooks waterways and beyond to the dense forest. To accentuate the bespoke elements, each kothi boasts of a private pool inspired by the characteristic Indian step wells. The thoughtfully curated experiences at Aramness will be delivered by butlers assigned to each kothi.

Throughout the lodge, the interiors draw on the honesty of materials, and the sophistication of simplicity, culturally relevant design and local craftsmanship. Everything that makes up the design inventory has been sourced or made in Gujarat. From the pattern on the large sandstone and steel Jali screens (which is a replica of the perforations of the dried leaf of a sal tree) to the striking wall of Kutchi lipan plasterwork with its intricate inlaid mirrors handcrafted by local artisans. The vintage applique scatter cushions and hand-beaten brass tables add to the detailed layering.

At Aramness, the rich culinary repertoire is a wholesome experience that gets to the heart of Gujarati cuisine. The food menu has been expertly crafted to not just include traditional flavours of Gujarati vegetarian delicacies but also lends a unique opportunity to pique the palate with the most authentic Gujarati non vegetarian fare, inspired by the tastes of the regions that encircle the lodge. 

Aramness_1.jpg

Guests can enjoy meals anywhere, anytime in multiple, intimate indoor and outdoor dining areas from courtyards to roof terraces and organic gardens. Village Dinner will offer a village-style sit-down dinner, amidst the mango orchard serving traditional Gujarati Kathiyawadi Thali. Jungle Barbeque will provide a wild dining experience, where guests can indulge in a live cooking experience under the stars. Lit by lanterns, Haveli Dining Hall will serve an explosion of flavors with the authentic Gujarati Thali, taking guests on a cultural trail of the region. Garden Pavillion will set the perfect backdrop for a magical dining experience by the organic garden, bringing to life the unique concept of farm-to-fork. Pool House is well equipped with bar facilities and simply the perfect place to sip a cup of coffee and experience true serenity.

Elevating the experience, Aramness will soon introduce Fly Safari, a private charter airline service operating from key cities in India. Luxuriate in an unrivaled journey with best-in-class facilities and an adventure of a lifetime. 

Guests staying at Aramness Gir have several choices of how they wish to spend their day: Game drives into the park to view the Asiatic lion with an Aramness naturalist, jungle walks in the teak forest, visiting a Maldhari family in their home, sampling delicious Gujarati food, relaxing in the spa, engaging kids with inspiring activities at Aramness Playscape or, even better, doing as little as possible whilst soaking up the natural beauty of the park. In the words of Mr. Patel, “There is a unique relationship between man and wildlife in Gujarat that does not exist anywhere else in India, nor in the rest of the world. At Aramness Gir, we will not only be supporting the Asiatic lions but also delivering an exceptionally crafted, luxury experience.”

Aramness_2.jpg

ABOUT ARAMNESS GIR

Aramness Gir, is a new 18 roomed, village-style luxury safari lodge, that borders Sasan Gir National Park, where the last remaining Asiatic lions in the world coexist with the semi-nomadic Maldhari tribe. It is designed with authenticity and luxury in equal measure, providing a wildlife experience that rewrites the script. 

As the first boutique lodge of its kind in the region owner, Jimmy Patel is setting the bar high with his Gujarati-inspired, design-led aesthetic, his dedication to conservation and a commitment to delivering world class gracious hospitality. 

www.aramness.com



Appointment | Aramness appoints Vijay Krishnan Vazhvelil as the General Manager

vijayaramness_1.jpg

Vazhvelil brings with him over 25 years of experience with leading hospitality brands

Aramness, a luxury adventure travel company that owns and operates lodges and arranges guest’s journeys to the most beautiful wilderness areas in India, recently appointed Vijay’ Krishnan Vazhvelil as the General Manager to soft and grand open four Wildlife Safari Luxury Lodges.

Vazhvelil brings with him over 25 years of experience with leading hospitality brands such as Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts (Associated with Starwood brands such as Le Meridien, Four Points by Sheraton & Design Hotels), American Express Banking Corporation, Alila Hotels & Resorts - Boundless Lifestyle Brand of Hyatt Hotels International and Windsor Golf Resort & Country Club.

He brings an array of skills and core competencies to the table & he is extremely proficient in the fields of Managing Complex Hotel, Resort & Safari Lodge Operations, Soft & Grand Opening Hotels & Resorts, Marketing & Sales, Business Planning and Project Management Processes, Room Division Operations, Food, Bar & Nightclub Management, Revenue Management & Electronic Marketing Management. His last operational role was being the General Manager of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club, Nairobi, Kenya – A Relais & Chateaux Golf Resort.

Vazhvelil’s principal skills lie in the seamless functioning of all activities in the hotel & resort Management Operations as well as Marketing & Commercial Strategy of the functioning of a hotel, along with smooth communication between his office and the other areas. His vast experience with various kinds of employee engagement activities and environments has given him the right knowledge to maximize human capital productivity through the use of multi-skilling, multi-tasking, and multi-flexible scheduling to meet the financial goals of the business as well as the expectations of the guests.

With exceptional leadership skills to boast of, he strongly believes that a leader is only as good as his team and he ensure his team is satisfied and reaching its highest potential through regular communication and strong company values. Not only that, he also constantly evaluates local, national, and international market trends in Hotel Management and Operations, Designs of Hotels, Resorts & Safari Lodges, New Nightclubs & Bars Designs, Marketing & Revenue Management to make sure that the hotel’s management remains competitive and of cutting edge.

Aramness Gir National Park will be the first luxury lodge in a planned portfolio of luxury lodges across India and perhaps beyond.

Source