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Cultural Immersion in Hospitality: Share stories/activities of your hotels and resorts that offer authentic cultural experiences

Discover authentic cultural experiences at our hotels and resorts. Explore unique stories and activities that immerse you in local traditions and heritage.

Hospibuz

24 Apr 2025 14:06 IST

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Cultural Immersion in Hospitality Share storiesactivities of your hotels and resorts that offer authentic cultural experiences

Experience Bengal's Warmth: Cultural Immersion at Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences

Akash Bansal

Director of Operations, Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences

At Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences, culture is at the heart of everything we do. From the moment guests arrive, they’re greeted with a warm “Nomoskar,” setting the tone for a truly local experience. We take pride in showcasing Bengal’s rich culinary heritage through our buffet breakfast, which features traditional

favourites like beguni, aloo chop, and luchi with cholar dal. Our popular “Stock Market Chai” adds a quirky local touch that delights guests every morning.

One of our most special initiatives is Durgabari—our in-house Durga Puja celebration. We’ve been hosting it for the past four years, and this year we’ll proudly present Durgabari 5.0. It’s a heartfelt celebration that brings together rituals, cultural performances, and traditional bhog, offering guests the feeling of being home for the festival.

Cultural immersion for us isn’t a concept—it’s a way of welcoming, celebrating, and connecting. At Novotel Kolkata, we offer more than just a stay—we offer a slice of Bengal.

Embracing Heritage: The Leela Palace Chennai's Journey into the Soul of Tamil Nadu

Nishant Agarwal

Vice President and General Manager , The Leela Palace Chennai.

Nishant Agarwal

The soul of India lies in its traditions, and at The Leela Palace Chennai, we offer immersive cultural experiences that go beyond aesthetics. From Bharatanatyam recitals in the grand lobby to curated temple tours and traditional South Indian feasts served on banana leaves, our guests are invited to experience the heart of Tamil Nadu. It is through these authentic narratives that we connect travelers to the region’s rich heritage, creating memories that are both profound and personal.

Savoring the Soul of Delhi: Cultural Celebrations at Seven Seas Hospitality

Ramesh Dang

Director, Seven Seas Hospitality

Mr Ramesh Dang-2

Being based in Delhi, we’re fortunate to be surrounded by rich cultural diversity. At Seven Seas Hospitality, we celebrate this through immersive experiences like our “Delhi Meri Jaan” and Punjabi food festivals. These events are more than culinary celebrations; they’re cultural journeys filled with local flavours, traditional music, and nostalgic stories. Through food, we bring our guests closer to the soul of Delhi.

Eco-Haven: Sustainable Practices and Cultural Experiences at AQ Green Ambience

Rajib Roy Choudhury

Senior General Manager, Hotel Vedic Village Spa Resort

Rajib Roy Choudhury

Some of the Sustainable & Cultural Anecdotes :

AQ Green Ambience

Ayurveda & Naturopathy Experiences & Therapies

Medicinal Herbs trail

Farm to Table Gastronomy

Diverse flora & fauna

Organic Gardening & Farming
Birds trail

Sustainable festivals, like Gur Carnival, Grape Carnival, etc.

Bengal's rich Cultural Festivities; like Sharodiya Durga Puja, Poila Boishakh, etc. Star Gazing and Celestial study

Exposure to sustainable organic pisciculture

150 acre Estate hitch hiking (foot or cycles)

Providential Indulgence and Involvement in the Terracotta Temple within the eatate Zero Carbon travel (EVs and Buggies) within the resort

Usage of natural resources; like, thatch, bamboo, mud, etc. as building materials Natural Rain water Harvesting through Natural water bodies within the resort

Cultural Luxury: Where Tradition Meets Hospitality

Partners' Photos (3)

Sanat Hooja - Partner - Machan Resorts LLP

Cultural immersion in hospitality transcends accommodation—it invites guests to experience the soul of a destination. At The Legacy Mandawa by The Machan, nestled in the heart of Rajasthan's Shekhawati region, culture is not just preserved—it is celebrated. This heritage haveli offers an intimate window into the royal Rajasthani lifestyle through guided heritage walks across fresco-laden havelis, curated local cuisine, folk music performances, camel treks, ceremonial guest welcome and traditional arts workshops such as block printing and puppet-making. Every element is designed to honor the region’s rich artistic and historical lineage while allowing guests to engage with local communities in meaningful ways.

Similarly, The Machan in Lonavala offers a distinctive yet equally immersive cultural experience rooted in ecological and indigenous traditions. Located amidst the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Machan seamlessly blends culture with nature. Guests are invited to join forest walks led by local naturalists who share insights into the region’s flora and fauna, biodiversity preservation efforts, and their lived experiences within the community.

“Our properties exemplify how culturally immersive hospitality can respectfully blend tradition with tourism,” says Sanat Hooja, Partner at Machan Resorts LLP. “By creating spaces where guests not only stay but also learn, share, and connect, we are redefining luxury to include authenticity, education, and deeper human connection.”

Experience the Authentic: Clarks Exotica's Cultural Immersion

Senthil Kumar - Associate F&B Director, Clarks Exotica Convention Resort and Spa

Set in the heart of Karnataka, Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa invites guests not only to escape—but to connect. With a deep-rooted belief in celebrating the land we belong to, our cultural immersion programs offer guests an authentic lens into regional heritage and traditions.

Our signature ‘Evenings of Karnataka’ bring folk music, traditional dance, and local delicacies together under the stars, offering a multisensory celebration of South India. These experiences are more than entertainment—they’re storytelling sessions that highlight age-old customs and modern interpretations.

Guests can also explore farm-to-table dining, featuring produce from nearby villages and spices grown on our own grounds. Weekend workshops range from pottery and organic gardening to spice blending and local crafts, often conducted by artisans from the community. For nature lovers, our eco-trails blend botany with folklore, led by naturalists who share the stories behind the landscapes.

At Clarks, we believe travel should go beyond the brochure. It should evoke a sense of place, curiosity, and connection. Our curated cultural programs reflect our passion for community and storytelling—ensuring every guest leaves not just with memories, but with meaning.

In a world chasing global experiences, we proudly spotlight the hyperlocal. Because there’s nothing more luxurious than authenticity.

Cultural Immersion at Araiya Gir: Experience the Vibrant Siddhi Heritage

Amruda Nair- Founder and Director of Araiya Hotels & Resorts

Amruda Nair, Founder and Director of Araiya Hotels and Resorts

While Sasan Gir is renowned for its Asiatic lions in Gir National Park, Araiya Gir offers a unique opportunity for guests to connect with the rich cultural heritage of the Siddhi community—a tribal group of African descent believed to be descendants of the Bantu people from East Africa.

At Araiya Gir, we take pride in introducing our guests to the vibrant traditions of the Siddhi people, who, although they have adapted to local Indian customs and predominantly speak Gujarati, retain key elements of their Bantu heritage. A highlight of our cultural immersion experience is the Siddi Dhamal dance—a powerful and authentic performance that showcases their distinctive traditions.

As twilight descends, we host the Siddi Dhamal fire dance by the poolside, where guests are invited to witness an enchanting spectacle that celebrates endurance, tradition, and rhythm. The evening begins with the rhythmic beating of heavy drums, drawing everyone into the mesmerizing performance that follows. As dancers move gracefully to the beats, the flames flicker and crackle—a vivid reminder of the ancestral roots and stories woven into their culture.

At Araiya Gir, we believe that these immersive experiences are the essence of hospitality, allowing our guests not just to see but to feel the pulse of local culture, creating cherished memories that last far beyond their stay.

Hospitality with a Soul: The Banaraswala Experience

Vibahsnhu Mishra, CEO & Founder, Banaraswala & Chalu Apna Desi Chinese.

"To me, hospitality has never been about just simply putting up a good plate of food; it has been a matter of opening doors to the culture and the way of living of the people of Banaras. And at Banaraswala, we just don't want our guests to feel like strangers; we want them to feel like they're old friends who've returned after a long journey. That's the spirit of Banaras, and it permeates everything we do.

When a guest arrives at our restaurants, we wish they could sense the essence of this city of Varanasi. It may be the feeling of going to ghats of Varansi at dawn for the Ganga Aarti, sitting cross-legged beside a weaver in his small workshop, or giggling over a home-style thali prepared from recipes from the streets of Varanasi, and enjoy the classic dishes like Tamatar Chaat, Aloo Chaat, Dahi Bhalla, Aloo Tikki, Dahi Puchka, Bedai Aloo, Kachori, Samosa, Matar Kachori, and Dal Chilla. We want guests to feel what exactly it means to belong in Banaras and taste its flavors.

As we believe, every little moment counts, and hospitality, to me, is about those things—the memories that linger long after you've gone.

So, when someone asks me what it is so special about Banaraswala: I proudly say, I am from Banaras, and I am Banaraswala, it is my home and my memory of the city and its ghats. As we are just not offering food, we are offering you a story. And we want you to also become the part of our story, that is penned in the vocabulary of culture, compassion, and connection.”

Crafting Memories: Kangan's Immersive Cultural Experience

Radhika Changoiwala - Marketing & Communications Manager at The Westin Mumbai Garden City

Kangan offers an authentic cultural experience, serving traditional Indian cuisine alongside a bangle maker who creates lac bangles for guests to witness. This curated experience allows visitors to connect with the region’s culture through food, craftsmanship, and storytelling, providing a deeper, immersive stay.

Where Heritage Meets Luxury: Discover Mumbai's Rich Traditions

Kunal Pahwa - GM ITC Grand Central

Kunal Pahwa, General Manager, ITC Grand Central Mumbai

A comprehensive cultural trip through Mumbai's rich tapestry of Victorian, Maharashtrian, and ancient Parsi traditions is provided by ITC Grand Central. Discover carefully chosen art, décor, and customs that honour the city's rich past with elegant luxury and genuine hospitality, while also indulging in traditional Parsi and regional Maharashtrian delicacies.

For example: Our Parsi Gara Saree worn by Responsible Luxury Ambassadors, the Local Love such as Vadapavs, Misal Pavs and much more and the magnificent painting of BMC Head Office by renowned artist Mr. Sanjay Bhattacharya.

Taste the Tropics: Experience Goa's Vibrant Culture at The Coconut Boy

Hitesh Keswani

Hitesh Keswani, Managing Director at Aspect Hospitality.

At Aspect Hospitality, we believe that dining should do more than just fill you up; it should make you feel something, create a connection. That’s exactly what inspired us to bring The Coconut Boy to life in Bandra West, Mumbai. It’s a fun, vibrant nod to Goa’s rich culture and coastal flavors. From the moment you walk in, it feels like you’ve stepped into a Goan beach shack. Think colorful murals, lush tropical plants, and that easygoing susegad vibe. Chef Rohan D’Souza has put together a menu that stays true to its roots like Ambotik, a spicy and tangy kingfish curry, and crispy Chicken Cutlets with kokum relish, all made with ingredients straight from Goa. Weekends come alive with live music and our signature cocktails bring the beach bar energy right to your table. It’s all part of the experience.

Experience the Heart of Jaipur: Immersive Cultural Experiences at Royal Heritage Haveli

Shambhavi Singh, Director at Royal Heritage Haveli, Jaipur

At Royal Heritage Haveli, we believe that the true essence of hospitality lies in immersing guests in the local culture. We strive to create experiences that go beyond traditional tourism, offering our visitors an authentic connection to Jaipur’s rich heritage.

One of our most cherished offerings is the Cooking Class, where guests learn to prepare traditional dishes from my grandmother’s recipes. These dishes have been passed down through generations, and sharing them with our guests in the Haveli kitchen helps create a bond that extends beyond a mere hotel stay. It’s a personal, hands-on experience that invites guests to engage with our history, offering them a taste of Jaipur’s flavors in a way they’ll never forget.

We also curate Heritage Walks through the winding lanes of Jaipur, where guests are guided by local experts who share stories about the city’s history, architecture, and culture. This immersive journey allows our visitors to feel like locals, connecting deeply with the city’s past. Our Local Artisan Visits give guests the opportunity to witness traditional craftsmanship firsthand, supporting Jaipur’s artisans while providing an unforgettable cultural experience.

Additionally, we offer Storytelling Sessions, where we share the fascinating tales of Rajasthan’s royal past. These intimate sessions bring history to life, connecting guests with the legacy of the region.

At Royal Heritage Haveli, we believe in fostering lasting memories through genuine cultural immersion. Each of these experiences ensures that our guests don’t just visit Jaipur — they become part of it, leaving with a deeper connection to the city’s vibrant heritage.

Soulful Stays in Haridwar: Pilibhit House's Cultural Immersion Experience

Vikas Nagar, Hotel Manager, Pilibhit House, Haridwar - IHCL SeleQtions

Vikas Nagar, Hotel Manager, Haridwar- IHCL SeleQtions

At Pilibhit House, Haridwar – IHCL SeleQtions, cultural immersion is at the heart of our hospitality philosophy. We believe that a truly memorable stay comes from a deep connection with the local traditions, flavors, and spiritual rhythm of the destination. By creating authentic experiences rooted in the sacred and cultural essence of Haridwar, we aim to offer our guests not just a stay, but a soulful journey.

The luxury hotel offers various cultural experiences such as guests experience a private aarti ceremony at the hotel’s own ghat, allowing for a deeply spiritual and personal connection with the sacred river. We offer culinary offerings that include traditional Sattvik cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients and ancient recipes that align with the spiritual and wellness traditions of the region. Pilibhit House itself is a restored noble house that reflects the regal charm of the past, with design elements inspired by traditional craftsmanship and cultural symbolism. We also organize curated walks through the old city lanes, temples, and ashrams, led by knowledgeable locals who offer rich stories and insights into Haridwar’s timeless heritage amongst others curated experiences.