In a move that combines architectural restoration with luxury hospitality, Bengaluru-based Onora Hospitality has announced its latest venture—Bookmark Resorts Puducherry, a boutique heritage hotel that promises to offer a timeless travel experience. Partnering with Ayesha and Milan Kapur, the children of Hidesign founder Dilip Kapur, the company is transforming the Kapur family’s ancestral home in Puducherry into a sophisticated luxury retreat rooted in history, culture, and wellness.
Slated to open in the last quarter of 2026, the property marks the third addition to the Bookmark Resorts portfolio, joining the scenic escapes in Manali and Ranthambore. With its unique coastal charm, colonial heritage, and spiritual vibrancy, Puducherry serves as the perfect destination for Onora’s latest hospitality project.
A Heritage Home Reimagined
The future Bookmark Resorts Puducherry is located in one of the town’s most peaceful heritage neighborhoods. Its prime location—directly opposite the Aurobindo Ashram and the architectural marvel Golconde Building—offers both historical context and spiritual serenity. The property is a beautifully preserved Tamil-Franco heritage bungalow, originally built during the French colonial era. Once the residence of a senior customs officer, the structure stands as a testament to the fusion of French and Tamil architectural traditions.
Rather than altering its soul, Onora Hospitality has chosen to restore the bungalow with utmost sensitivity. The project is being helmed by an Egyptian architect based in Auroville, a township internationally renowned for sustainable and intentional design. In collaboration with Heritage Matters, a cultural preservation organization, the team is working diligently to maintain the site’s architectural integrity, using traditional building techniques and authentic materials.
“The Hidesign family is among the original residents of Puducherry and Auroville. Their legacy and intimate connection with the region bring unparalleled authenticity to this project. We are excited about this partnership and it is an important milestone for strengthening our presence in South India. I feel that Bookmark Resort Puducherry, with well-being at its core, is going to be a game-changer in the luxury hospitality segment in the region,” said Mr Ashish Vohra, Founder & CEO, Onora Hospitality.
From Ancestral Roots to Luxury Travel
The partnership with Ayesha and Milan Kapur brings a personal touch to the project. As heirs to one of India’s leading luxury leather brands, their connection to design, craftsmanship, and legacy is deeply ingrained. Their ancestral home, rich with family history and symbolic of Puducherry’s multicultural heritage, is being thoughtfully adapted into a high-end boutique hotel experience. The result will not only be a tribute to their lineage but also a showcase of Puducherry’s artistic and architectural legacy.
A Peaceful Retreat with a Purpose
Bookmark Resorts Puducherry is envisioned as more than just a place to stay—it is a retreat for the soul. The resort will offer guests a holistic travel experience that connects them to the cultural rhythms of Puducherry while encouraging relaxation and introspection.
Guests can expect elegantly designed rooms that reflect a blend of vintage charm and contemporary comfort, featuring curated artwork, handwoven textiles, antique furnishings, and organic materials. The resort will also include wellness-focused amenities, such as a rooftop yoga pavilion, Ayurvedic treatment rooms, quiet meditation gardens, and an on-site café serving locally inspired, plant-forward cuisine.
This focus on well-being and holistic living aligns with Puducherry’s spirit—a place known for its balance of spiritual depth, French colonial beauty, and Tamil cultural roots. The resort’s programming will also include cultural experiences, such as local artisan workshops, curated walks through the French and Tamil quarters, and lectures on Puducherry’s history and philosophy.
Strengthening a Boutique Hospitality Vision
With this third addition to the Bookmark Resorts brand, Onora Hospitality continues to deepen its commitment to intimate, story-rich destinations. Unlike large hotel chains, the Bookmark Resorts model prioritizes a personal, meaningful travel experience—one that embraces the uniqueness of each location and connects guests with the community and culture around them.
Bookmark Resorts in Manali introduced travelers to the beauty of the Himalayas through wood-crafted chalets and mountain-view terraces. The Ranthambore property focused on wildlife-inspired luxury near the national park. With Puducherry, the focus shifts to urban serenity, architecture, and spiritual immersion, offering a different but equally profound sense of place.
A New Jewel in Puducherry’s Tourism Landscape
Puducherry continues to attract travelers seeking more than a coastal getaway. Its distinct French-Tamil character, spiritual enclaves, and relaxed atmosphere make it a magnet for both Indian and international tourists. The addition of Bookmark Resorts Puducherry will not only raise the bar for luxury heritage stays in the region but also contribute to the town’s growing reputation as a destination for conscious, cultural travel.
By restoring a piece of the past and pairing it with thoughtful, modern hospitality, Onora Hospitality and the Kapur family are creating a destination that is as emotionally resonant as it is aesthetically stunning. As India’s boutique hotel industry continues to grow, Bookmark Resorts Puducherry is set to become a shining example of what meaningful, heritage-driven tourism can look like.
Tags: Bookmark Resorts Puducherry, Ashish Vohra, Onora Hospitality, India’s boutique hotel, Luxury Travel, India
