There is a certain kind of intimacy in discovering a place through someone else’s eyes. A designer notices the textures and rhythms; a photographer waits for the fleeting moments; a chef searches for stories through flavour. This idea forms the foundation of ‘Inside The Stay,’ a video series by Design Pataki in collaboration with Ananta Hotels, which brings three creatives to three distinct corners of Rajasthan. 

Interior designer and Content creator Siddhi Karwa, wildlife photographer Saptarshi Bhattacharya, and Chef Manav Khanna each arrived with a different relationship to places. Their stays at Ananta Spa & Resort, Pushkar; The Baagh Ananta Elite, Ranthambore; and The Ananta Udaipur consequently became more than a getaway, creating experiences that catered to each guest’s sensibilities. Each of these luxury hotels in Rajasthan offered a different way to slow down, look closer, and connect with its surroundings. Through intimate conversations, tranquil settings, and delectable dining experiences, the series celebrates the distinct ways in which design, culture, nature, and cuisine shape our understanding of a place. 

Returning To The Wild In Ranthambore 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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For the pilot episode, we travelled to Ranthambore, offering Wildlife Photographer Saptarshi Bhattacharya the chance to return to a landscape he already understands intimately. Having traversed landscapes from Africa to India’s dense jungles, he returns to The Bagh Ananta Ranthambore for something rarer than sightings. “It’s always good to come back to a certain jungle and have a property that you can call your second home,” says Bhattacharya. 

Designed to offer the best amalgamation of nature and modern luxury, the property offers scenic views, luxurious rooms, shaded sit-outs and lavish facilities for an enjoyable stay. A flush of greenery and calm welcomes you inside, where the architecture drawn from the rugged wilderness quietly syncs with its surroundings. Dawn arrives with birdsong, brewing coffee and an anticipation of the wild unfolding within Ranthambore National Park. It’s where stories and fleeting memories in the jungle are revisited under the evening sky. At The Bagh Ananta Ranthambore, the wildlife photographer experienced a world worth preserving, with a dash of stillness and luxury. 

Finding Stillness In Pushkar 

 

 

 

 

 

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For Siddhi Karwa, the journey begins in Pushkar, a city where colour, ritual and spirituality coexist with an unmistakable sense of rhythm. Coming from Mumbai, a city defined by relentless momentum, Karwa found herself drawn to something that felt increasingly elusive: stillness. Her stay at Ananta Spa & Resort unfolded at a gentler pace, where Balinese-inspired architecture, verdant surroundings, and contemporary comforts create an atmosphere that feels removed from the bustle beyond.

But it is the experiences beyond the room that give the stay its emotional resonance. From a live breakfast setup set amidst blooming rose fields to savouring a delightful Rajasthani thali, a flavourful reflection of the region’s culinary heritage, every detail feels thoughtfully placed. “I had rose petals falling around me on either side while I was having breakfast,” Karwa avers. Walking through local bazaars opened up a more immediate view of Pushkar’s everyday life. “As a maximalist, I love how rich in colour this place is. I witnessed one of the most beautiful Aartis, which I was a part of. All the chanting around you; it felt so peaceful,” she shares about her experiences. For Karwa, Ananta offered the opportunity to slow down, allowing her to experience Pushkar not as a destination to be checked off, but as a place to simply inhabit. 

Rediscovering A Familiar Udaipur

 

 

 

 

 

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With Manav Khanna, we went to Udaipur, where his connection with Rajasthani cuisine first began. His stay at The Ananta Udaipur presents a different proposition altogether: the chance to return. Udaipur is not new territory for the chef. Having spent three years in the city, he already carries memories of its streets, flavours and rhythms. His stay at this retreat therefore becomes an exercise in rediscovery. Spread across 90 acres of lush greenery against the backdrop of the Aravalli Hills, the resort offers a slower, more immersive experience of the city, where mornings begin with the fresh fragrance of mountain air and the landscape sets the pace for the day. The city that once held three years of his life now offers him a different kind of memory: a sunset, a glass of champagne, and the rare permission to simply pause.

Naturally, food became central to Khanna’s experience. The beautifully plated dishes, curated by expert chefs, are as aesthetically pleasing as the restaurant’s ambience. Khanna finds himself asking the chef about the flavourful dishes on his thali as the ingredients grown on the property make their way onto his plate, bringing with them a sense of freshness. The experience extends beyond the cuisine. Guests can plant trees during their stay, leaving something behind that will continue to grow after they have gone. Perhaps that is what makes returning so special. For Khanna, this return to Ananta Udaipur is a reminder that some places never stop creating memories; they simply give you new reasons to remember them. 

*This is a paid partnership with Ananta Hotels.