Can you tell us a bit about your new projects and the focus on safari-led properties?
At Araiya Hotels we’ve always believed that India’s natural beauty is our greatest luxury, and our next chapter at Araiya celebrates exactly that. We’re focusing on safari-led properties that create immersive encounters with the wild — beginning with Aalia Jungle & Spa in Uttarakhand, where guests can experience the rhythm of Rajaji National Park along with wellness and adventure.
Our Araiya Gir resort in Gujarat, on the edge of the Gir National Park, offers an intimate look at India’s only Asiatic lions, paired with authentic Gujarati cuisine, a wellness pavilion, and curated local experiences that highlight the tribal way of life.
Each of our hotels — including upcoming projects in the Kodagu forests of Kerala and India’s most celebrated wildlife destination, Ranthambore — is deeply connected to its surroundings. This expansion into wilderness destinations is a natural evolution for us, where luxury meets landscape.
Our new safari-led projects are about rediscovering India’s wilderness — through respect, sustainability, and soulful experiences rather than just sightings.
How important is adventure tourism in the guest experience today? And what role can it play in Araiya’s scheme of things?
Adventure is no longer about adrenaline — it’s about awakening. Guests today want experiences that challenge, ground, and renew them. At Araiya, we define adventure holistically — from high-energy safaris and treks to introspective journeys like meditation hikes or martial arts training. These experiences forge emotional memory, and that’s what true luxury is today. Adventure doesn’t always mean risk. Sometimes, it’s about stillness — watching the sunrise over a tea garden or listening to the jungle breathe.
What can be done to make wildlife safaris in India more ethical but also more engaging for tourists?
An ethical safari begins long before you enter the forest. It’s about understanding the ecosystem and respecting it. We must move from consumption to conservation. Training guides as interpreters of ecology rather than trackers, limiting vehicle density, and ensuring that a portion of revenues directly supports local conservation are key.
At Araiya, our in-house naturalists don’t just show guests animals — they tell stories about trees, insects, birds, and the invisible symphony of the forest. When guests connect emotionally, it becomes far more engaging and impactful.
A safari should awaken curiosity, not chase a checklist. True engagement lies in understanding the forest, not interrupting it.
What makes Araiya Hotels & Resorts stand apart from the competition?
Araiya stands apart because no hotel is like another. We blend a deep sense of place with purpose, ensuring that each property reflects its geography and community. At Araiya Palampur, the Kangra Valley is our muse — our architecture opens to the mountains, our cuisine celebrates Himachali ingredients, and our guests join local tea garden walks, jeep safaris and river-side picnics. At Araiya Gir, the wilderness defines our rhythm — days begin with safaris and end with martial arts training, bonfires, or lake-side dinners under starlit skies.
Kinwani House, Araiya Anthology, which is a beautifully restored art-deco home, has just 6 rooms, with a unique blend of opulence and privacy. At Aalia Jungle & Spa, Araiya Athology, 11 glamping tents in the buffer zone of Rajaji National Park offers an adventurous stay in the heart of the jungle. No two Araiya stays are alike because no two landscapes are alike. We design experiences that belong to the land, not imposed upon it.
What role do the outdoors play in the Araiya guest experience?
The outdoors are at the heart of every Araiya experience. We see nature not as a backdrop but as the main character.
In Palampur, guests practice yoga on the lawns facing the Dhauladhar range or trek through pine forests. In Aalia Jungle & Spa, they can cycle along the mango orchards, go horse riding in the buffer zone pathways and enjoy a bon fire under the stars. In Gir, guests can practice martial arts by the lake, try archery on the lawns, or unwind with open-air spa rituals in the privacy of their rooms. At Araiya, the outdoors are not an amenity — they’re our greatest luxury. We want guests to feel the wind, hear the silence, and reconnect with the earth.
Do you follow sustainable and responsible tourism practices at your properties?
Sustainability is part of Araiya’s DNA, not a department. Across our portfolio, we have eliminated single-use plastics, prioritized rainwater harvesting, and shifted toward renewable energy sources. We actively source local — from Kangra tea and organic honey in Palampur to farm-fresh produce and handcrafted pottery in Gir. We employ local teams, partner with nearby farms, and work with community-based guides to ensure tourism directly supports livelihoods. Luxury means little if it leaves a heavy footprint. Our goal is to create beauty that sustains the land and the people who make it special.
As the granddaughter of Capt. C.P. Krishnan Nair, how are you taking his legacy forward?
My grandfather believed that Indian hospitality could stand among the best in the world if it stayed rooted in its values — warmth, respect, and excellence. With Araiya, I’m carrying that legacy forward by reinterpreting luxury for a new generation — one that values authenticity, purpose, and sustainability as much as comfort. He built The Leela as a celebration of India’s heritage; I want Araiya to be a celebration of its hidden landscapes waiting to be discovered. He taught me that true luxury is about emotion and excellence. Araiya is my way of carrying his vision into true India — literally and metaphorically.
Domestic tourism is on the rise. What are Indian travellers looking for today?
Indian travellers have evolved tremendously. They’re well-travelled, experience-driven, and more conscious than ever before. They want connection — to nature, to community, and to themselves. We see growing demand for boutique stays, meaningful itineraries, and destinations that offer balance — adventure with wellness, luxury with purpose. At Araiya, our guests want to wake up to birdsong, not traffic — and that shift is here to stay. Today’s Indian traveller is not escaping the city; they’re seeking themselves in nature.
Are you looking at Northeast India as well?
Yes, we’re very interested in the Northeast. It’s one of India’s most biodiverse and culturally rich regions, with immense potential for low-impact, high-value tourism. We’re exploring opportunities there that align with our philosophy — small, design-forward properties with community integration and sustainability at the core. The Northeast represents the future of conscious tourism in India — raw, real, and rooted in culture.
What are your own favourite adventure and wildlife destinations in India?
It’s hard to choose — but I find myself returning to Palampur for its serenity, Gir for its raw energy, and Tadoba for its soul.
There’s something profoundly humbling about the mountains. Every climb — literal or metaphorical — teaches you balance, patience, and perspective.
Every peak, every forest, every river has a lesson. For me, adventure is not about conquering nature — it’s about learning from it.