Jehan Numa Retreat

Set on the outskirts of Bhopal, just nine kilometres from the city centre, Jehan Numa Retreat offers a rare balance of wilderness, heritage, and quiet luxury. Spread across twelve and a half acres of dense greenery beside Van Vihar National Park, the retreat feels less like a city hotel and more like an extension of the forest itself. Remarkably, not a single tree was cut during construction, allowing the property to grow naturally around the existing landscape.

Owned and operated by the descendants of the Nawab Begums of Bhopal, the retreat carries forward a legacy shaped by culture, hospitality, and progressive thinking. The influence of Bhopal’s royal past quietly runs through the experience, blending Muslim and Maratha traditions with a more contemporary and nature-led way of living.

The retreat features 28 spacious rooms and suites spread across six cottage clusters named after native birds, including Kingfisher, Hornbill, Heron, and Lapwing. Designed by architect Dean D’Cruz of Mozaic Goa, the architecture combines rough-cut stone, lime plaster, bamboo ceilings, polished cement floors, teak woodwork, and mud-finished walls in a way that feels deeply rooted in the landscape. Full-height glass doors open onto private decks overlooking forests and wild grasslands, while open-sky bathrooms with sandstone walls and outdoor showers bring nature directly into the living spaces.

Dining at Jehan Numa Retreat is closely tied to the land itself. Much of the produce served across its restaurants comes from the property’s own organic gardens. Under The Jamun Tree, the retreat’s signature restaurant, offers open-air dining beneath century-old trees with live grills, Nawabi curries, and candlelit tables. The Coriander Leaf brings together Euro-Mediterranean flavours in a more refined setting, while Green House Bistro sits inside a working greenhouse surrounded by herbs and vegetables. At Citrus Garden Project, botanical cocktails are crafted using citrus grown on the estate itself.

Experiences here unfold slowly between yoga by the pool, wildlife documentary evenings under the stars, forest cycling trails through Van Vihar, pottery sessions, kitchen garden tours, and wellness therapies at Chakra Spa. What's more? Explore Chopal through curated heritage tours of mosques, museums, lakes, and historic sites, while day excursions to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Sanchi Stupa and the Bhimbetka Rock Shelters offer a deeper connection to Central India’s history.

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Address: 

Near Van Vihar, Dr. Saleem Ali Road, Prempura, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462003

Price range per night:

INR 10,000 to INR 18,000 per night, depending on the season

Closest airport and how to reach: 

Raja Bhoj International Airport is approximately 15 km away and can be reached in around 25 minutes by road.

Best time to visit:

October to February is considered the best time to visit, with temperatures ranging between 10°C and 25°C, making it ideal for outdoor dining, wildlife experiences, and heritage exploration.July to September is perfect for nature lovers, as the monsoon transforms the property into a lush green retreat. April to June offers quieter stays and better value during the summer months.

Reservations:

Email: res.retreat@jnph.in | Phone: +91 755 717 0123