By Priyanka Jena, Co-founder, Praana Experience
Seven years ago, my partner Tanveer and I set out on a journey that would change everything. We weren’t just looking to escape city life, we were seeking something deeper. We wanted to create a space by the ocean that felt rooted, intentional, and alive. Not just another stay but a sanctuary where travellers (and their pets) could reconnect with nature, and where the land itself would guide the design.
That dream eventually became Praana Experience—a boutique, pet-friendly beach retreat tucked away in coastal Karnataka. “Praana” means life force, and the name couldn’t be more fitting. Every inch of this space has been built with respect for the natural environment and the community around us. Along the way, we’ve learned lessons in sustainability, patience, humility, and the true meaning of hospitality.
Lesson 1: Let the Land Speak
Our journey began by identifying the kind of terrain we were drawn to—untouched beaches, fertile soil, access to water, and a certain energy that felt right. It took years of searching and conversations in unfamiliar languages to find it. Once we did, the brief to ourselves was clear: build with the land, not on it.
We made a conscious choice not to cut a single tree during construction. In fact, the design of our cottages was guided by the trees themselves. One of our bathrooms features a majestic coconut tree growing right through the middle. Instead of removing it, we embraced it by designing an open-roof bath around it that now feels like one of our most memorable spaces.
We followed the natural flow of the topography, which means that during monsoons, water drains out easily without pooling. We didn’t flatten or manipulate the land—just worked with what was already there.
Lesson 2: Build With the Community, Not Around It
One of the most meaningful decisions we made was to work with local artisans and labourers and the people who’ve lived on this land for generations. We didn’t bring in city-based contractors or architects. Instead, we merged our design sensibilities with their craftsmanship and indigenous knowledge.
Our materials were local and traditional—clay tiled roofs, natural cement floors, high ceilings—all known to keep interiors cool without artificial cooling. The results speak for themselves: the design feels rooted, authentic, and organically beautiful.
This collaborative approach also allowed us to support local livelihoods in a very real way. Many of the people who helped build Praana continue to be a part of its daily operations today.
Lesson 3: Sustainability Is a Daily Practice
Sustainability isn’t a checklist—it’s a way of life. At Praana, every decision is made with longevity and impact in mind. We handle our waste management in-house:
· All plastic is segregated and sent for recycling.
· Multi-layered packaging (like snack wrappers and pet food packs) is cleaned, dried, and sent to organisations that convert them into fabric.
· Food waste is composted or given as feed for local cows.
We’ve planted a variety of native species around the property, which has organically increased the biodiversity bringing in butterflies and birds. We haven’t manicured lawns or imported plants. Instead, wild grasses and local flowers flourish freely, making Praana feel less like a hotel and more like a living, breathing ecosystem.
We also have three functional wells on the property that get replenished during the monsoon and supply us with water through the year. It’s small steps like these that allow us to run almost entirely off-grid, without compromising comfort.
Lesson 4: True Luxury Is Peace, Purpose, and Presence
For us, luxury isn’t about high-thread-count sheets or infinity pools. It’s about waking up to the sound of waves, paddleboarding at sunrise, cooking meals with local ingredients, and ending the day with your pet curled up next to you by a bonfire.
Our guests often say that their stay here feels like a return to something they didn’t know they were missing. And that, to us, is the highest compliment.
Praana isn’t just a retreat, it’s a reminder. That we can live lightly. That we can create with care. That tourism doesn’t have to come at the cost of ecology or culture.
As more travelers seek authentic, grounded experiences, I believe spaces like ours, built slowly, thoughtfully, and collaboratively will become the norm, not the exception. We hope to inspire others to believe that it’s possible to build a dream without breaking the earth. So if you ever find yourself looking for salt air, soft sand, and stillness—you know where to come.
