Aahana's Next Chapter: A Forest Resort Finds New Meaning In Old Roots

It started with a logo.

Or rather, a moment that felt like watching a book open to the first page of a story you didn't realise you were part of. The sun had already set, and the air had that quiet, blue-toned calm that only a forest can create. At one end of the lawn stood a giant book-like installation. Not a metaphor - a literal one.

And then, in a quiet but powerful gesture, Mr. Kamal and Mrs. Ranjana Tripathi - founders of Aahana Forest Resort - stepped forward to unveil what they called 'Aahna's Next Chapter.' As they turned the page, a new logo emerged, glowing under soft lights. Inspired by the majestic banyan tree that anchors their property, the symbol marked a new phase for the resort they built from scratch, on what was once barren land.

I was there to experience the relaunch, but as someone who has written about luxury stays for years, I came in expecting the usual: a welcome drink, a soft bed, and maybe a spa session. What I did not expect was to leave genuinely moved by what this family-run resort has built - and rebuilt - with so much care.

A Forest That Feels Like Home

Let's get the fancy stuff out of the way first. Aahana is luxury. Not "gold-plated bathroom taps" luxury. More like "how-did-they-make-this-feel-so-effortless" luxury. Their new pool villas are nothing short of stunning. Think: private plunge pools with temperature control, hydrotherapy loungers, sunlit decks, air spa systems - and yes, a dedicated personal butler with each villa. 

But what stands out is how seamlessly all of this blends into the forest. You wake up to hornbill calls. You sip chai while staring at wildflowers. You shower in a sun-drenched bathroom that looks like it was carved out of the jungle. It's the kind of place that's luxurious without ever feeling removed from its setting.

Not Just a Resort. A Legacy.

Over lunch, I had a long chat with Ayu, Avni and Tanishq - siblings now leading Aahana into its next phase. They bring the kind of involvement that feels earned, not assumed. They are hands-on, grounded, and deeply invested in keeping the resort rooted in everything their parents built, while bringing in a fresh perspective that feels thoughtful, not flashy.

Their parents, Mr. Kamal and Mrs. Ranjana Tripathi, founded Aahana with a dream to transform barren land into something regenerative and rare. The banyan tree in the new logo? It is not just aesthetic. It's literal. A symbol of growth, shelter and staying power - the same qualities this place exudes.

There's no flash here, only intention. From the organic garden to the Ayurvedic spa, from the harvest brunch to the quiet sustainability measures in every corner - this is slow luxury. 

A Brand Relaunch That Means Something

I have seen a lot of relaunches in this industry - most of them stop at a new font and some fresh flowers in the lobby. But Aahana's rebranding felt different. The Next Chapter was not just a clever theme—it showed up in everything. From the thoughtful unveiling of the logo to the little details across the property, from the forest-inspired cocktails to the quiet consistency of a team that has been part of the story for years. It was subtle, intentional, and completely in sync with who they already were.

There was a mixology masterclass using foraged ingredients. A starlit dinner that felt like a scene out of a Bollywood film. Even the staff, many of whom have been with the property for years, spoke about the change with pride. It was not performative. It was personal.

It's rare that a place wins you over not just with how it looks but with why it exists. Aahana is one of those places. The service? Impeccable. Genuinely, the kind where they remember how you take your coffee, but also when to leave you alone. The villas? Total dream. The food? Thoughtfully curated and refreshingly free from the usual resort buffet cliches.

But more than anything, it's the people. Ayu, Avni, and Tanishq aren't just managing a resort, they are shaping a story where nature and comfort go hand in hand.