Luxuriously channelling the ‘new age safari lodge’ with all its might, Aramness is one place that leaves you speechless the minute you spot it sticking out of the thick canopy of teak trees that shade it.
Situated on the fringe of the Gir National Park, in the Indian state of Gujarat, you’ll find a habitat where the last remaining Asiatic lions in the world coexist with the semi-nomadic Maldhari tribe. A portmanteau of the Gujarati words ‘aram’ or rest, and ‘ness’ or hamlet, Aramness is purposefully designed with authenticity and luxury in equal measure.
The lodge houses 18 sensitively appointed private hamlet style bungalows called kothis, each with its own courtyard, private pool and forest views. A fresh take on both, the sumptuous Indian safari experience, and lodge design, the latter, a product of the synergy between Fox Browne Creative and Nicholas Plewman Architects.
But, as one is soon to discover, it is the kind, courteous and ever-attentive staff members of Aramness that act as your de facto ‘luxury emissaries’, each ensuring your stay here is a memorable one, steeped in personalised care and decadence.
Hotel
Case in point is lodge manager Parikshit Rathore and his team who are proud of the main lobby building that is called the haveli, an old Indian term for the main section of any grand house. Here, one is shown an impressive cache of carefully curated antiques and patina-adorned wooden furniture from around the state of Gujarat and beyond. Brass sculptures and shimmering chandeliers hanging overhead only add to the allure of this space.
Replete with a well-stocked library, billiards room, an alfresco courtyard and main dining room, the vastness of space here is very apparent. But it never once feels cold and unwelcoming.
A cool welcome drink of tangy nimbu paani (limeade) is offered while one is given a tour of the herb and vegetable garden beyond and also of the lodge’s fruit garden. This space is saturated with trees bearing the juicy, ripe kesari mango varietal endemic to Gujarat.
As the ebbing sunlight pierces through the perforations of the dried leaves of the teak trees, the design for the jali screens, hand-carved from sandstone and copied from the teak leaf, come to life. These can be found adorning the two imposing ramparts that flank the haveli. Once illuminated by glass pendant lights from within, they cast their magic for all to bear witness to.
Room
Taking great pride in his job, it is your personal butler like Yogesh who will give you an orientation of your private kothi. Luxurious and comfortable, yet unpretentious, the lodge’s 18 kothis (15 one bedroom ones and three two bedroom ones) celebrate the best of Gujarati design and construction techniques with their off-white stucco walls and speckled terrazzo floors.
Each of these standalone structures come with a sitting room, a spacious bathroom with a marble block tub and shower, as well as an outdoor shower. Each kothi also has its own shaded courtyard and a first-floor veranda which looks out over waterways and beyond to the dense teak forest. A decent sized plunge pool, inspired by the characteristic Indian step wells features in each kothi and a series of the aforementioned jali screens cast dappled light over the room.
Food
With decades of cooking at some of India’s most well-respected hotels and restaurants behind him, Chef Ravindra Singh distils his cookery skills in a well-curated and daily changing menu at Aramness. One that has everything from a scrumptious local Gujarati kansa thali set meal platter featuring items like limbdi chicken and cabbage sambharo, to international fare like a killer seared prawn risotto and stuffed zucchini blossoms.
The best part of the dining here is that one can enjoy meals anywhere, anytime in multiple, intimate indoor and outdoor dining areas. These can range from kothi courtyards to roof terraces and the organic garden to the greenhouse, where chef Singh grows his own seasonal vegetables and herbs.
It’s worth noting that, as Gujarat is a dry (alcohol-bereft) state of India, the lodge is not permitted to serve alcohol. Though guests coming in can bring with them their own supply, with an easy to acquire authorised government alcohol permit that can be arranged for.
Spa
At the standalone Aramness Spa that, along with the Pool Bar, gym, yoga pavilion and the resort’s gift shop, is housed in a separate section of the sprawling lodge, spa manager Kalyani and her team of expert masseuses take care of all one’s sybaritic needs.
From the de rigueur Balinese and Swedish massages, along with manicures and pedicures, the spa menu also has a range of signature treatments on offer. The 90-minute ‘Elements of Gir’ is a relaxing three-part indulgence, consisting of a body scrub, a deep-tissue massage and a steam session using jasmine and lavender-infused oils. Not to be left out, the kids even have their own set of treatments like the children’s head massage and aroma therapy sessions.
To do
There is very little doubt that one chooses to stay at a property like Aramness, not just for its beauty and luxury, but also to take full advantage of its proximity to endless wildlife safari opportunities in the vast, almost grassland like deciduous forest of the Gir National Park. And it is people like Karthik who is one of three other safari guides employed by the lodge who make it their mission to introduce you to the Kings and Queens of Gir – the Asiatic lions and lionesses who prowl the many routes of this vast ecosystem.
But besides the main superstars of the jungle, the daily included safaris show you a whole other side to Gir. One that’s brimming with flora with trees and plants such as the thorny acacias, the Indian jujube and the beach almond. Other critters you’ll encounter here are the Indian leopard, the spotted dear, the Northern plains langur monkey and the giggling striped hyena. Speaking of noise, you’ll hear the incessant tuk-tuk of the coppersmith barbet as you take in the brilliant plumage of winged wonders like India’s national bird, the peacock and the red-naped Ibis.
Outside of jungle activity there is plenty to do, such as taking long guided walks to the teak forest that abuts the lodge. Or perhaps pay a visit to the cattle-rearing Maldhari tribe in their ness. Back at Aramness there’s a resident potter who is ever-ready to initiate you into his wonderful world of making clay pots and cups atop a spinning pottery wheel. For those with a penchant for culture, there is the Hindu temple of Somnath nearby that can be visited.
The possibilities of things to do and see here are simply endless.
In a nutshell
A common thread running through almost all aspects of life at Aramness is the all-pervasive feeling of oneness with nature. Here, one is brought in-sync with the elements and closer to the authentic rhythm of life in the wilds of rural Gujarat.
From the careful design of the main haveli, the rustic appeal of the kothi accommodations or the farm-to-table food philosophy, there is a great sense of congruity and fulfilment. Which is why, at Aramness, never once does this feel like a compromise on the creature (pun intended!) comforts of luxury and bang for one’s buck. For, that’s already found here in spades.
Top it all off with some of the best safari experiences and wildlife sightings you’ll ever have and what you’ve got on hand is a trip of a lifetime.
Getting there
To get to the lodge that’s located in the buffer zone of the Gir National Park, one can fly in to the Rajkot (three hours drive), Diu (2.5 hours drive) or Ahmedabad (seven hours drive) airports. The lodge can arrange for chauffeur driven transfers at an additional cost. All three airports are serviced by several daily scheduled flights from Mumbai and New Delhi, which, in turn, are well connected to the UK, Europe, the US and to the rest of the world.
Factbox
Single bedroom kothi pool suites start from GBP 1,100++ (including 24-hours butler service, breakfast, lunch, afternoon high tea, dinner, non-alcoholic beverages, in-room soft beverage mini bar, one daily game drive and one wildlife activity, laundry and Wi-Fi) for double occupancy, per night.
Address: 177, Haripur Village, Balchel Haripur Road, Junagadh District 362150, Sasan Gir, Gujarat, India
Phone: +91-285-3502000
E-mail: reservation@aramness.com
Website: aramness.com
Photography courtesy of Aramness
