- Assam wildlife retreat joins the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.
- Owned by SM JDB Estate; managed by BluSalzz Hospitality.
- Connected to over 220 million Hilton Honors members via SLH–Hilton partnership.
RHINO & RIVER WILDLIFE Retreat & Spa in Mayang, Assam, joined the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection. The addition places it among more than 700 hotels across 100 countries.
The 16-cottage property, based on Assamese architecture and set between the Brahmaputra River and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, offers a stay shaped by sustainability and local culture, the companies said in a statement. Guests can join wildlife safaris, river excursions, cultural experiences and farm-to-table dining focused on Assam’s cuisine, SLH said in a statement.
Rhino & River is owned by SM JDB Estate Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between SM Developers and the JDB Group and is managed by BluSalzz Hospitality.
“Rhino & River Wildlife Retreat & Spa is rooted in a place of ecological significance and offers an experience that cannot be replicated,” said Mark Wong, senior vice president – Asia Pacific at SLH. “Pobitora has the highest density of one-horned rhinoceroses. When a property sits in such a landscape and meets our standards, welcoming it is straightforward.”
The recognition underscores the retreat’s offering and its place among independent hotels worldwide, the statement said. Mayang is home to the highest density of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros.
Vikas Agarwal, MD & CEO of SM Developers, said joining SLH is a milestone for the retreat and affirms the belief that Assam’s natural heritage deserves a global stage.
“Built in partnership with JDB Group and Assam Tourism, the property was conceived as a tribute to the region’s heritage and biodiversity,” he said. “The SLH affiliation affirms our focus on local culture, design and sustainable hospitality.”
He said the recognition will place Northeast India on the itinerary of travellers worldwide, driving tourism, livelihoods and pride for communities in Assam.
Through SLH’s partnership with Hilton, the property is connected to more than 220 million Hilton Honors members worldwide, expanding its international reach.
“Joining SLH gives Rhino & River access to a global community of travellers seeking small luxury properties,” Wong said. “For an independent wildlife retreat in Assam, this distribution channel is transformative.”
London-based SLH was founded in 1991 by Paul Kerr. It is a network of independent hotels with more than 700 properties across more than 100 countries, offering distribution, marketing and loyalty access through partnerships such as Hilton Honors.
In July 2024, SLH entered the Indian market through a partnership with The MRS Group of Hotels, which owns and operates boutique hotels in India. The agreement includes MRS properties in SLH’s global distribution and marketing network.
