WelcomHeritage Tadoba Vanya Villas

WelcomHeritage Tadoba Vanya Villas sits at Kolara Gate on the edge of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, close enough that the resort's own FAQ names Kolara as its favourite entry point for safaris, with Madnapur, Sirkada and Alizanza as back-ups. The WelcomHeritage badge carries some weight here: the brand is a joint venture between ITC Ltd and Jodhana Heritage, established in 1997, with 36 properties across India.

Cottages, tents and a very large studio

Accommodation comes in four shapes. Premium Cottages are a set of 18, each 750 sq ft with a private garden and living area. Executive Cottages are 550 sq ft with the same amenity list. The Luxury Tents are the curiosity: eight canvas structures of 1,200 sq ft apiece, fitted with antique furniture, proper bathrooms and living areas. Top of the pile is the Studio Cottage, which the resort describes as a 2,700 sq ft retreat. Every category gets a television, mini refrigerator, hair dryer, iron, guest laundry and hot water round the clock.

An open restaurant with rustic furniture and a tandoori aroma in the atmosphere, says the resort of its poolside Jungle Grill.

Fed and watered between drives

There are two restaurants and a bar. Royal Oak, the multi-cuisine dining room, runs from 7 am to 11 pm and seats 65; the open-air Jungle Grill sits beside the pool under the sky. Mehefil, the poolside bar, claims to be the only licensed bar in Tadoba, which after a hot day in a jeep is not a small thing. Amodh Spa operates daily from 8 am to 8 pm with steam, sauna and separate rooms for men, women and couples.

The practicalities: the resort books safaris for guests, jeeps take six adults and two children under eight, and pets stay home. Nagpur's Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport is roughly 120 km away; Chandrapur railway station is the nearest railhead, 45 km from the park itself. In our view this is the sensible way to do Tadoba: a proper bed, a licensed bar and the Kolara gate minutes from your cottage door.