Earthen Life Hotels Brand Story
The
Brand Journey
Earthen
Life Hotels and Resorts
Founded
in 2011 by Mr. Saurabh Kumar and Mr. Diwakar Sharma, the
brand began not as a chain of retreats but as a hospitality consulting
venture dedicated to building boutique projects in offbeat locations.
The vision was clear: to design and operate spaces that celebrated sustainability,
culture, and soulful hospitality.
Over
the years, this vision evolved into a collection of signature boutique
retreats and curated partnerships, each property becoming a chapter in the
brand’s unfolding story.
Their
journey began with a single retreat and grew into a collection of handpicked
destinations across India – each one rooted in authentic hospitality,
sustainability, and community spirit.
Mr. Saurabh Kumar – Founder &
Director Experiences
A
hotelier with deep expertise and operational excellence, Saurabh Kumar
brings over 19 years of diverse hospitality experience.
- He completed his
Hotel Management from IHM Delhi and an MBA in Operations Management
from Symbiosis, Pune.
- His career began
in 2005 at The Grand Café, Grand Hyatt, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi,
where he developed his passion for service and fine dining operations.
- He then joined Sahara
Aamby Valley, Lonavala, honing his skills in luxury property
management.
- Moving into
wildlife and eco-hospitality, he became AVP at Pugdundee Safaris,
managing 7 premium wildlife lodges across India.
- Later, as Director
of Operations at Suján Luxury, he handled pan-India operations,
driving excellence for one of India’s leading luxury hospitality brands.
With
this rare blend of luxury, wilderness, and operations management, Mr.
Kumar shaped the foundation of Earthen Life Stays – crafting retreats that
balance elegance, nature, and community living.
A
marketing strategist with a strong grounding in hospitality, Diwakar Sharma
brings over 15 years of experience across sales, brand development, and
hotel management.
- He holds an MBA
in Marketing and Finance from JSS Academy of Technical Education, Noida.
- His career began
in 2010 with Internet Moguls, New Delhi, where he gained expertise
in digital marketing and brand strategy.
- Transitioning
into hospitality, he worked with Hotel Maltra Amaltas before
joining Justa Hotels & Resorts as Associate Director of
Sales, where he played a key role in expanding the brand presence.
- Later, as AGM
Sales at Udman Hotels, he led sales strategies and client engagement
for one of India’s emerging hospitality chains.
Mr.
Sharma’s strength lies in building market presence, nurturing client
relationships, and crafting brand stories that resonate with modern travelers.
His expertise ensures that each Earthen Life retreat not only delivers soulful
experiences but also reaches the right audience.
🌱 The Philosophy
- Inspired by the
idea of “Earthen Life”, the retreats are designed as sanctuaries of
simplicity, sustainability, and soulful connections.
- With 70% of
the workforce from local communities and most ingredients sourced
directly from nearby villages, the brand thrives on community-driven
hospitality.
🌍 Growth & Legacy
- From the
orchards of Punjab to the forests of Uttarakhand, the hills of Himachal,
and the stark beauty of Ladakh, each property reflects the brand’s ethos
of authentic, place-based hospitality.
- Today, Earthen
Life Stays & Retreats stands as a network of boutique sanctuaries
that combine old-world charm with modern comfort, all while
preserving the cultural and natural heritage of their surroundings.
✨ From 2011 to
today, under the leadership of Saurabh Kumar and Diwakar Sharma, Earthen Life
Stays & Retreats has evolved into a brand that nurtures people, preserves
places, and redefines boutique hospitality in India.
📖 Timeline of Milestones
2011 – The Beginning: Consulting &
First Project
- The brand
started as a hospitality consulting firm for boutique hospitality
projects in offbeat destinations.
- The first
project came to life in Panna, Madhya Pradesh, with The Sarai at
Toria – a boutique riverside retreat spread across 8 acres,
built from a restored British-era hunting lodge.
- Located just 28
km from Khajuraho’s UNESCO heritage temples, the retreat set the tone
for a sustainable lifestyle model that integrated history, culture,
and conservation.
2015 – Expanding to the Himalayas
- The second
boutique project took root in Peora, Uttarakhand, with The
Orchards at Peora Estate.
- Spread across 2
acres of orchards, this Tuscan-inspired villa featured 9 elegant
rooms with classic Indonesian hardwood furniture.
- The property’s uninterrupted
360° views showcased the Nanda Devi and Trishul peaks, while
geographically, it stood just 20 km from Kainchi Dham (Neem Karoli Baba
Temple).
2018 – The City of Saints, Punjab
- The third
retreat was built at Hoshiarpur, Punjab, with Kailash Farms
Earthen Life.
- Spread over 48
acres of fruit orchards, it featured:
- 10 boutique
rooms & cottages
- A mudhouse
with private pool
- A social
pool with extended lounge & deck
- Meditation hall for wellness
- Expansive lawns
for cultural & social gatherings
- Signature
experiences included farm-to-fork dining, jungle dinners, tubewell
picnics, tractor rides, and orchard walks.
- Nestled in the foothills
of the Shivalik ranges, Kailash Farms connected travelers to the spiritual
energy of the Shakti Peeths – Mata Chintpurni, Mata Jwala Mukhi,
Mata Bangla Mukhi, Mata Chamunda, Mata Kangra, and the ancient Baijnath
Shiva Temple.
2020 – 2022: Resilience Through the
Pandemic
- Despite
challenges during both waves of COVID-19, the brand remained
resilient, sustaining operations, communities, and teams through adaptive
hospitality practices.
2022 – Management Contracts: Expanding
Horizons
The
brand entered the management & brand-building space, signing three
boutique properties under its wing:
- Panah – The
Earthen Retreat, Nubra Valley, Ladakh
- Red Earth,
Kabini, Karnataka
- The Grassroots,
Wayanad, Kerala
This
move marked Earthen Life’s entry as a hospitality brand partner for
experiential retreats across India.
2023 – Into the Wilderness: Corbett
Life
- The seventh
property, Corbett Life, was established in Uttarakhand.
- Spread across 3
acres of riverside forest, it offered 7 boutique rooms blending
rustic luxury with Uttarakhandi lifestyle.
- A unique telescopic
chess-designed pool overlooking the forest became the property’s
signature highlight.
- Geographically,
it sits just 2 km from the prime gates of Dhela & Jhirna zones
of Corbett Tiger Reserve.
2024 – Palampur Life, Himachal Pradesh
- The eighth
flagship property, Palampur Life, was launched as a modern-contemporary
retreat in Himachal.
- Highlights
included:
- 34 boutique
rooms
- International
cuisine restro-bar
- A nightclub
for vibrant evenings
- A 10,000 sq.
ft. pillarless banquet inspired by Himachali architecture
- Uninterrupted
views of the majestic Dhauladhar ranges
- Parking for 100+
cars and 6 buses, catering to large gatherings
- The property
offers a blend of cultural immersion, mountain serenity, and modern
lifestyle experiences.
2025 – Spiritual Journeys with Adhyatm
- Expanding into
spiritual and cultural travel, the founders launched a new venture: Travlife
Solutions Pvt. Ltd., with its spiritual travel brand Adhyatm
Journeys.
- Dedicated to premium
pilgrimage circuits, this wing curates journeys across India’s sacred
geographies, offering a seamless blend of devotion, heritage, and
hospitality.
From
its roots in boutique consulting (2011) to a growing portfolio of
retreats and brand partnerships (2025), Earthen Life has become a symbol
of:
- Authentic
Hospitality – balancing luxury with local life.
- Sustainability – sourcing
locally, engaging communities, and preserving ecosystems.
- Spirituality
& Culture – connecting travelers not just
to destinations, but to deeper experiences.
✨ Under the leadership of Saurabh Kumar
& Diwakar Sharma, the brand continues to evolve – weaving a legacy of soulful
sanctuaries and meaningful journeys across India.
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