ITC Hotels Signs Storii Sanjay Dubri, Bringing A New Boutique Retreat To Central India

Central India is set to get a new boutique wildlife retreat with ITC Hotels announcing the signing of Storii by ITC Hotels, Sanjay Dubri in Madhya Pradesh. The 30-key property will be located amid the wilderness of Sanjay Dubri National Park in Sidhi district, bringing a new hospitality offering to a wildlife destination that is gradually finding its place on the country's safari map.

Planned as a retreat that blends into its natural surroundings, the property will comprise expansive villas and suites, alongside spaces designed to reflect the landscape and character of the region. The experience will centre on wildlife, nature and wellness, with curated activities intended to encourage travellers to explore the destination at a slower pace.

A New Base For Exploring Sanjay Dubri

The retreat will offer curated dining experiences, recreational facilities and intimate event spaces, alongside a programme of locally inspired activities. Wildlife exploration and nature immersion will form a central part of the stay, giving guests opportunities to experience the forests beyond the conventional safari itinerary.

The signing is part of ITC Hotels' wider expansion into emerging leisure destinations. Through its Storii by ITC Hotels brand, the company has been developing smaller, experience-led retreats that draw on the character, culture and landscape of their locations.

According to ITC Hotels managing director Anil Chadha, Sanjay Dubri's relatively unexplored wilderness and ecological diversity make it an interesting addition to India's growing experiential travel circuit. The company sees the property as an opportunity to build a hospitality experience around the destination's natural character while supporting its emergence as a tourism hub.

At The Heart Of Central India's Wildlife Circuit

One of the property's key advantages will be its location within reach of some of Central India's better-known wildlife destinations. Bandhavgarh National Park and Kanha National Park are both part of the broader wildlife circuit, allowing travellers to potentially combine Sanjay Dubri with established tiger landscapes on a longer Madhya Pradesh itinerary.

Improving road connectivity from cities including Prayagraj, Jabalpur, Rewa and Varanasi is also expected to make the destination more accessible to travellers from neighbouring regions.

Sanjay Dubri National Park itself offers a different proposition from some of Madhya Pradesh's more heavily visited reserves. Its forests are characterised by sal and mixed deciduous vegetation, with wildlife encounters unfolding against a relatively less commercialised landscape. Tigers are among the species found in the park, alongside leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, deer and a variety of birdlife.

For travellers interested in wildlife beyond the safari vehicle, the surrounding landscape also lends itself to nature-focused experiences, making the upcoming Storii property a potential base for exploring the region at a more leisurely pace.

Things To Do Near Sanjay Dubri National Park

Go on a wildlife safari: A safari through Sanjay Dubri is the obvious starting point for exploring the park. The forest is home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs and several species of deer, while its relatively quieter landscape can make for a more immersive wilderness experience.

Explore the forests and surrounding landscape: Beyond wildlife sightings, the park's sal forests and undulating terrain offer an opportunity to appreciate Central India's landscape and birdlife. Nature-focused experiences can be particularly rewarding for travellers interested in photography and birdwatching.

Combine Sanjay Dubri with Bandhavgarh: Wildlife enthusiasts can extend their trip to Bandhavgarh National Park, one of Madhya Pradesh's best-known tiger reserves. The combination offers travellers the chance to explore two distinct forest landscapes in the same broader region.

Visit Rewa: Located within the wider region, Rewa is known for its royal history and the white tigers associated with the area. The city and its surroundings offer an interesting cultural counterpoint to a wildlife-focused itinerary.

Explore the Baghel heritage: Rewa was historically the seat of the Baghel dynasty, and travellers can explore remnants of its royal past alongside the region's natural attractions.

Discover nearby waterfalls: The wider Vindhyan landscape around eastern Madhya Pradesh is dotted with waterfalls and forested landscapes, particularly rewarding during and after the monsoon. These can be incorporated into a longer road trip through the region.

Extend the journey to Kanha: For travellers planning a longer wildlife holiday, Kanha National Park can be added to an itinerary through Madhya Pradesh. Its expansive sal and bamboo forests, grasslands and diverse wildlife make it one of India's most celebrated tiger landscapes.

With its combination of wilderness, accessibility and proximity to established safari destinations, Sanjay Dubri is emerging as an intriguing addition to Central India's wildlife circuit. The arrival of Storii by ITC Hotels could further raise the destination's profile, particularly among travellers looking beyond Madhya Pradesh's more familiar tiger reserves.

For now, the appeal lies in the opportunity to experience a lesser-explored corner of the state's forests, with the upcoming retreat designed to make the landscape itself the centrepiece of the stay.

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