ITC Mementos Ekaaya, Udaipur: When Luxury Found a Home Amidst the Hills!
Okay, now as a fan of fine Indian cinema, you might already know or at least, must’ve heard of ITC Mementos Ekaaya, Udaipur – recently in talks for hosting the viral Rashmika Mandanna-Vijay Deverakonda (Virosh) wedding. However, there is a deep, rooted design story and architectural finesse behind all the regality the luxury hotel boasts of — waiting to be unearthed. For instance, sprawled over hills and spread over two acres of land, the property’s built footprint is a mere 10%. Read on to know this and more in this DUnFiltered #FilterNot Story.
1. (UnFiltered)Concept
It wasn’t a smooth sail for the stakeholders when they decided to give the thought a shot – architecture amidst the Aravallis. It took a thorough, detailed contour analysis, wind-flow studies, along with other such challenges for the planners to keep moving ahead with this 100-acre masterplan. Besides this, another major obstacle was to ensure ecological continuity and visual porosity of the hills, for obvious reasons. The plan, conceived as a low-density luxury hospitality development in clusters, occupies approximately 2 acres, with a built footprint limited to only 10% of the undulating contours of the Aravallis.
In niche terms, circulation is layered and discreet, preserving privacy while maintaining a sequential resort experience for the visitors. And today, what we encounter on site at ITC Mementos Ekaaya, Udaipur are luxe yet lush banqueting venues, multicuisine, serene restaurants, world-class wellness facilities, inspiring recreational infrastructure — all with a yearning for so much more to come.
2. (UnFiltered)Architecture
Talking about the architectural language of the resort, it steadily hints towards vernacular principles through a modular combinatorial system – best of all the worlds, we’d say!
The idea was simple yet vivid – maximalism coupled with regality. So be it the porches, living spaces, bedrooms, kitchens, libraries, spas, pools, amphitheatres, tennis courts, and equestrian – every space has a quintessential vibe. Thanks to the structured flexibility that ensures individuality within a unified design concept.
No wonder when it comes to regality, spatial identity takes the centre stage. At ITC Mementos Ekaaya, it is defined by high volumes and pitched roofs rising up to 17 feet at places. Moreover, the elimination of false ceilings, combined with insulated eco-roof assemblies, helps define and resolve other architectural loopholes often encountered in vast projects like these.
Moving on to the main-story that is the material, the structure gets its strength from locally quarried stone and yes, sustainability too! This, alongside fly ash brick superstructure made way for a climate-responsive project that loves Mother Earth.
3. (UnFiltered)Interior Design
Although the interiors of ITC Mementos Ekaaya had a tough competition from the lush green exteriors it derives from nature and the hills, the designers seemed to have taken it in their stride. Today, when we get inside the premises, what we see is a rare balance of contemporary hospitality standards with regional craft integration. Kudos for that! Each cluster functions as a self-contained luxury environment with private pools, jacuzzis, home theatres and more.
Double-height volumes, exposed roof profiles, and layered lighting systems (coves, pelmet strips, integrated fan fixtures) create depth and spatial drama. Furniture has been sourced from Jodhpur, and handcrafted rugs from Pushkar reinforce regional authenticity. Certainly a haven for those who have an eye for all things fine in life.
Well, there is more to it. ITC Mementos Ekaaya’s custom-designed architectural elements, integrated lighting systems, furniture detailing, and bespoke spatial components were developed as part of the project’s holistic design approach.
While it has surely helped the ecosystem, the restrained built footprint at the property paved the way for an expansive green landscape design. From private gardens to interconnected green corridors to the views – everything, low-key vouches for it.
Lastly, for Udaipur, ITC Mementos Ekaaya is a luxury, secluded property located around 25 to 30 kilometres outside the main city. Therefore, no wonder it tops the list when it comes to exclusivity and privacy. However, the property’s architecture-design concept remains another spectacle that should be celebrated. To hail to that!
UnFiltered(DesignTeam) Architect: Dharam Patel Architecture Firm: Art & Architecture Associates, Vadodara Location: Eklingji, Rajasthan Photography: Tejas Shah (see featured pictures)
