Date: October 26, 2026
Strategic Initiative: Bandhavgarh Resort Opening
Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited (SHRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Thomas Cook (India) Limited, has announced the opening of Sterling Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh. This new resort represents a strategic expansion of Sterling's wilderness portfolio in Central India.
Resort Details and Features
Location: Tala village, approximately 2.5 km from Tala Gate of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
Capacity: 26 rooms across four distinctive categories:
- Machan Suites with private machans and outdoor showers
- Courtyard Rooms with Balconies offering garden-facing outdoor spaces
- Safari Tents with Private Sit-outs
- Forest Rooms
Amenities: Swimming pool, gardens, and outdoor relaxation spaces
Strategic Context and Portfolio Impact
The Bandhavgarh resort strengthens Sterling's presence across Central India's leading wildlife destinations and adds another distinctive forest experience to its growing wilderness portfolio. Sterling currently has resorts across 15 celebrated wildlife landscapes of India and is deliberately building wilderness travel as a distinct leisure category.
This expansion enables connected journeys between Bandhavgarh and Kanha, offering travelers the potential for a Bandhavgarh–Kanha forest journey that brings together distinct habitats, landscapes, and wildlife experiences within a single holiday.
Management Commentary
Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited: "India's wilderness destinations are far more diverse than the wildlife they are famous for. Every forest has its own landscape, history, culture and cuisine—and therefore a different story to discover. Bandhavgarh is particularly compelling because it brings together one of India's celebrated tiger habitats with centuries of heritage and the distinctive culture of Baghelkhand."
Pranav Sharma, owner of Mahalaxmi Commercial Service Pvt Ltd: "Our association with Sterling at Kanha has given us the confidence to extend this partnership to Bandhavgarh. Sterling brings strong operating expertise, brand reach and an understanding of how to create distinctive destination experiences."
Destination Experience and Cultural Integration
The resort offers access to multiple safari zones (Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli) subject to Forest Department permits and regulations. Additional activities include birdwatching, village walks, nature trails, and cycling.
The culinary proposition at The Sal restaurant focuses on Baghelkhand's culinary heritage with regional preparations such as Birra ki Roti, Saal Patta Murgh, Baans Mein Pakaya Chawal, and Kumhde ki Kheer. The resort features experiences like Jungle Thali and Gaon ki Rasoi, inspired by local cooking traditions, along with outdoor dining and bonfire evenings.
Portfolio Context
Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited operates in more than 70 unique destinations with over 4000 keys operational. The company is a 100% independently managed subsidiary of Thomas Cook (India) Limited and part of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.