gINKgo I The RARE Collection Newsletter I New Routes & RARE Stays I Vol 124 I July 2026
Dear Travellers...
Someone just mentioned to me that there was no off-season anymore. Try telling this to small hoteliers in offbeat locations trying to keep their limited inventory occupied, especially in July, August and September—good months to travel, particularly through offbeat regions of India, Nepal and Bhutan. The advance of the monsoon and its effect on the landscapes is spectacular, while regional and local festivals often offer superb cultural insights.
With The Kin in Mumbai, RARE trails in the western region of India intensify, linking Ellora, Sawantwadi and Goa, before circling into central India with Tipeshwar and Tadoba via Nagpur. From Mumbai, another interesting journey moves inland into Gujarat and the princely town of Santrampur, where Shri Joraver Vilas, a graceful Art Deco, family-run retreat, stands beside a private lake at the foothills of the Aravallis. It is easily connected north to Udaipur and further west to Ahmedabad, Dasada and Bhuj. Every destination experience is a RARE hotel.
As The RARE Collection spreads across more states in India, our delicately curated hotels now focus even more on destination stories and a luxury interpreted through travellers' interest in cuisine, crafts, cultural interactions with owner-hosts and local families. The idea is to create more routes with pre-reviewed hotels and retreats that you can confidently choose as RARE.
Many of these places remain less explored, offering everyday experiences that are curious, genuine and deeply rewarding. Find all our new hotels at BRIDGES for Conscious Travel 2026, scheduled on September 16, 17 and 18 at The Imperial, New Delhi. Remember to register yourself with a mail to bridges@rareindia.com
Happy Reading!
Shoba Rudra
Storyteller & Boutique Hotels OG
Western India
Beginning in Mumbai and unfolding through Goa, Santrampur and Kutch, we bring together four distinctive stays—The Kin Hotel, The Seven Doors House, Shri Joraver Vilas and The Bhuj House—each offering a deeply personal window into India's living heritage. From vibrant neighbourhoods and coastal villages to royal homes and artisan landscapes, this is a journey shaped not simply by places, but by the families who call them home.
Mumbai is often interpreted through South Bombay or Bandra; The Kin shifts attention to Dadar West, the city's residential, sea-facing cultural spine. Set near Shivaji Park and the shoreline, the hotel feels sharply contemporary yet rooted in its neighbourhood, pairing restored terrazzo, mid-century furniture and a 24-hour concept store with the warmth of a family-run address. The experience is both local and indulgent, from a rewarding early morning visit to the kaleidoscopic Dadar Flower Market to an Epsom salt soak in your suite and a convivial brunch or date night at Terttulia, The Kin's modern restaurant, café and bar, a local favourite.
The Seven Doors House, North Goa
Tucked away in the leafy village of Pilerne, The Seven Doors House reveals a quieter, more soulful side of North Goa. Built in 1932 and restored with remarkable sensitivity, the eight-bedroom estate brings Portuguese-Goan heritage to life through lime-washed walls, carved timber, stained glass, red-tiled roofs and sprawling verandahs. Each room feels deeply personal, with oxide floors, antique furniture, four-poster beds and lively art. That individuality extends to private sit-outs and balconies, with the occasional plunge pool, Jacuzzi, outdoor shower or private bar. Views open onto the permaculture garden, old mango trees or the shimmering infinity pool. Seven Doors invites complete ease—slow mornings at the birders' lounge, afternoons in the library or by the pool, walks through the village, garden-fresh meals and long evenings shared with family and friends.
Shri Joraver Vilas, Santrampur
Away from Gujarat's familiar circuits, Shri Joraver Vilas sits in Santrampur, a small princely town in the Aravalli foothills. Built in 1926 on the edge of a private lake, this Art Deco-style homestay retains its original grace through wide verandahs, old teakwood furniture and a handful of suites that look out to the lawns or the lake. The Santrampur royal family still resides here, personally welcoming guests, while Mandakini, the Maharani, pays particular attention to the cuisine. Boat trips, village hikes and forest drives offer different glimpses of Santrampur's culture, nature and heritage.
Bhuj is often treated as the gateway to Kutch, but The Bhuj House makes a strong case for staying in the town itself, located in the Parsi district. Set just beyond the old walled city, this 1894 Parsi courtyard home carries the history of a community not many associate with Kutch's larger story. An award-winning Heritage Stay, The Bhuj House's neem-shaded courtyard, restored rooms, family kitchen and verandahs become the counterpoint to days spent exploring craft villages, palace complexes, coastal towns and the desert beyond. The authentic Parsi cuisine served here is another highlight of the house. Kutch is a destination well known for its remarkable diversity of attractions and has long delighted designers, naturalists, historians and explorers from all walks of life.
