The Oberoi Vindhyavilas sits just outside the gates of Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, a landscape of forest and grassland in the Vindhya Hills known for its tigers. The resort covers 21 acres, and guests choose between luxury tents, each with a private garden and sit-out, and villas with their own temperature-controlled pools. Canopied ceilings, Gond artworks and hand-painted studies of local wildlife tie the interiors to the region, and decks look across fields and forest. The Dining Room serves Madhya Pradesh specialities alongside international dishes, with views over the lake, and The Oberoi Spa offers treatments for the hours between drives. Days begin early, with safaris into the park at dawn, and the resort's naturalists set the rhythm. The park covers 1,536 square kilometres in all, with a core zone of 105 square kilometres. Getting here takes some effort: Jabalpur is the nearest airport, about four hours by car, which is part of why the forest still feels remote. It opened recently and holds Two MICHELIN Keys.
- Rooms
- 21 tents and villas
Insider tip Choose a pool villa over a tent if you are travelling in the warmer months; the private, temperature-controlled pool makes the hot middle of the day easy.
Why I choose it Oberoi service on the edge of one of India's strongest tiger parks, with a small number of rooms so the safari never feels crowded.