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Your arrival by boat to the 400-year old reception building of this beautiful heritage property really sets the tone for the rest of your stay. With a setting on the shore of beautiful Lake Kumarakom, and between two natural canals, there’s an authentic backwaters atmosphere at this restored 19th-Century former coconut plantation. You can canoe along the canals that criss-cross the resort or head out on a sunset cruise on the lake... if you wish to get back to nature we highly recommend a stay here. There are three naturalists at the resort who are on hand to inform and guide guests about the local wildlife – from exotic birds to butterflies. The Coconut Lagoon also has some serious eco-friendly credentials and everything they do is sensitive to the local culture and environment. This is the perfect alternative to a beach stay following a houseboat cruise or tour of Southern India. The main restaurant Ayemenem is renowned for its superb traditional cuisine and authentic setting. As well as international dishes, you can sample traditional home cooked Keralan cuisine served on a banana leaf. There’s also a real focus on freshly-caught seafood and each day the menu incorporates the catch of the day cooked in the special clay oven. Our chosen accommodation category at Coconut Lagoon are the individual one-storey Heritage Bungalows that are set throughout the landscaped gardens. The style reflects the local area with dark wood furnishings that have been sourced from traditional Keralan homes or local craftspeople, and natural fabrics such as linen and cotton.
Among vast stretches of pristine countryside and paddy fields, the Nelpura Homestay is a beautifully restored home that dates back over 150 years and showcases fine examples of Keralan architecture. Set on the edge of a canal that leads to the Pampa River, Nelpura is owned and run by a local family whose ancestors have farmed the nearby paddies and coconut groves for decades. The perfect escape from bustling city-life, this heritage homestay has only three guest rooms available to use. Fully furnished with modern ensuites, these Executive Deluxe rooms still retain their original grandeur as showcased by their traditional Keralan architecture. Exceptionally exclusive, this boutique homestay ensures you'll receive outstanding hospitality during your stay. Mealtimes are normally spent together in the main dining room, where you'll enjoy delicious home-cooked Keralan cuisine with the family. You'll also get a glimpse into traditional life – on prior request, the homestay can arrange traditional Keralan activities, like learning the art to Mehandi henna designs, or participating in local dance and music performances. There are also a wide range of activities on offer outside the homestay, including village visits and cycling trips, or a boat cruise through the rustic Alleppey backwaters.
For those who are looking to immerse themselves in the local way of life, the charming Philipkutty’s Farm, which is set on an island on Lake Vembenad, is the perfect spot. Owned and run by a local family, this homestay aims to give guests the real Kerala experience – you'll get to know an authentic Kuttanadan family, get a taste of the region's cultural heritage, and have the chance to experience what life is like on a working Kerala farm. Spend your days learning about the farm, cruising in a traditional Vallam along the canals, or sightseeing at the nearby villages. An irresistibly perfect hideaway, you won't have to forgo life's little luxuries, as you'll be staying in a beautifully designed waterfront villa. Independent and totally private, these homely villas are authentically styled, typical of a traditional backwater bungalow. Inside, the villas are spacious and furnished with rustic clay floor tiles and wooden ceilings, while outside a beautiful red-oxide veranda overlooks unparalleled views of the backwaters. Food is definitely one of the main highlights here. Dishes are a blend of exotic Kerala Syrian Christian cuisine combined with a strong backwater influence, with most centring around traditional fish, meats, rice and farm fruits and vegetables – the homestay's specialities include Karimeen, Fish Molee, and Red Hot Kerala Fish Curry. Meal times are normally a communal affair, cooked by the family and served in either the dining room or in the delightful thatched pavilion. This is often a great time to socialise with other guests or family members, as well as a great spot to just sit and admire the views of the farm and the beautiful backwaters.
Water, water, everywhere. As you would expect from a resort at the heart of the Keralan backwaters, the focus here is on all things H2O, whether it's the freeform pool, the winding streams or the infinity pool which seems to merge into the lake itself. The choice of royalty – Prince Charles spent his 65th birthday here – the Kumarakom Lake Resort is typically Keralan in style with typical architecture and traditional local decor and artworks. You certainly won’t forget what part of the world you’re in. No Southern India hotel worth its salt would be without a spa, and in particular one that provides a wide range of Ayurvedic treatments. Following an action-packed escorted tour or tailor-made adventure there are few places we would rather slow down the pace a little. The open-air Ettukettu is the resort’s main restaurant and it is here that you can try cuisines from around the world as well as more local flavours. A recent addition to the hotel is the waterside venue, Vembanad, the Seafood Bar where wonderfully seasoned with locally-sourced spices. One of our favourite spots here is Thattukada, the al fresco tea shop where traditional Indian teas are served alongside local treats. The resort’s red-roof cottages are scattered around the extensive gardens and typical of Keralan homesteads (but with all the mod-cons you would expect). The decor is distinctly of its setting with murals lining the wooden panels behind the bed and glorious dark wood furnishings. There are a cluster of Luxury Pavilion Rooms in a number of the cottages and with their large floor-to-ceiling windows it seems as if the verdant grounds are an extension of your space. For direct access to the freeform pool, we recommend one of the Meandering Pool Villas. These duplex accommodations feature a bedroom on the upper floor and a living room and terrace with steps into the pool on the ground floor.
Soak up beautiful scenery and absorb local sights as you meander through the tranquil waterways of ‘God’s own country’ on board this elegant vessel, cruising the picturesque canals and lakes. The gentle lapping of the water and balmy breezes make this a relaxing and unforgettable experience. This modern river cruiser has just eight cabins, all of which are located on the lower deck with windows overlooking the water, have kingsize beds and butler service. There‘s a restaurant which serves international, Indian and Keralan specialities. There‘s also bar where non-alcoholic drinks are served. Departing from the private jetty on the edge of Lake Vembanad, the MV Vrinda makes its way into the scenic waterways for a day of exploration and returns to the lake every evening. There are two- and three-night itineraries available and you can board on the day of your choice between October and April. Highlights of the cruise include a trip on a traditional rice boat through the narrower backwaters, visits to the 18th-Century St Mary‘s Church and the 100-year-old Sree Bhagavathy Kshetram Hindu temple, and a sunset cruise on the lake. During your time on board you‘ll be able to observe the day-to-day life of those who live and farm on the banks of the water – a fascinating insight into life in this beautiful region. Each night you can enjoy local entertainment such as a traditional ‘Kathakali’ dance during which performers tell tales from the Hindi mythologies of Ramayana and Mahabarata, and a Mohiniattam classical dance recital, otherwise known as the 'Dance of the Enchantress‘.
Sitting in the Western Ghats, overlooking tea plantations and the Bison Valley below, this unique mountainside retreat is a beautifully remote escape. The focus here is on enjoying the complete tranquility, yet also getting to know the local area. Beyond the hotel, you can take part in plantation walks, tea factory visits and soft treks to the nearby dolmans – the sites of an ancient civilisation – while back at the Spice Tree there are cooking classes, yoga sessions and tea tastings which end with a delicious high tea. For an afternoon of relaxation, the hotel has a beautiful solar-heated outdoor pool, and a therapeutic mountain spa which offers a fantastic range of soothing treatments and revitalizing therapies. In this exclusive setting, each of the Spice Tree's rooms and villas enjoy panoramic views overlooking the mountains and valley surrounds. The vibrant Classic Rooms with Jacuzzi combine a wonderful blend of traditional and contemporary architecture, while the two Pool Villas are ideal for those wanting a little more space and luxury; exclusive additions include a private pool, living room, and a large bathroom with a luxurious copper bathtub.
Many resorts are described as having verdant surroundings however, there are few places where the description is quite as apt as it is at this hotel. High in the mist-shrouded Western Ghats, close to the hill station of Madikeri, sits the luxurious Taj Madikeri. The hotel has been designed to make the most of the hillside setting and the incredible views that this provides. As soon as you step into the lobby with its floor-to-ceiling windows, we are sure you will be awestruck by the outlook. From then on, the vistas will be an almost constant companion as you hop from the infinity pool to the spa to the restaurants to your cottage room or villa. If you can tear yourself away, there is plenty to do and see in the surrounding area with hiking trails to follow and coffee plantations to visit. We understand that food is an important part of many peoples’ holidays and with four restaurants to choose from, the Taj should satisfy almost every palette. The Fern Tree is the hotel’s main restaurant where international cuisine is served all day. Enjoying some sunrise yoga and then snagging a spot on the terrace for an alfresco breakfast accompanied by with those ever-present mountain vistas is a great way to start the day. The specialist restaurant Nellaki is a great spot to experience some more regional flavours at lunch or dinner; you can even learn a few local culinary skills yourself if you take part in the Fine Art of Kodava Cooking signature Experience. For guilt free lunches and afternoon snacks, the wellness restaurant Dew is the place to head, while for those looking for some wholesome seafood and hearty grilled dishes should opt for a meal at the Poolside Grill. Clean lines, dark woods and rich fabrics make up the style and tone of the cottage rooms and villas. At almost 80m2 in size, the Superior Cottages are seriously spacious. The large windows allow you to gaze over the beautiful valley, forests and coffee plantations and the Coorg-influenced artwork on the walls provides a real sense of place. For a cosy fireplace and separate bathtub you should opt for a Deluxe Cottage. They have the same incredible views but come with a little extra space.
Set on a 55-acre cardamom and coffee estate close to the town of Munnar, this welcoming boutique retreat is perfectly placed for relaxation. Spend time exploring the untamed and wild surroundings, perhaps looking for birds and butterflies during a guided plantation walk or admiring the spectacular views over the mountains and tea plantations from the viewpoint. If you fancy venturing outside of the estate, there are a number of day trips available to guests. We definitely recommend a tour of Eravikulam National Park, or joining a jeep safari to the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, renowned for being the world's highest tea plantation. Befitting of the environment, the rooms are all minimalistic in style, preferring home-style décor over lavishness and opulence. Set in charming bungalows, distinctive features include red cedar beams and gabled roofs, and terracotta floors decorated with solid teak furniture. Garden Rooms enjoy high ceilings and a private veranda, while Estate Rooms have a balcony and a day bed beside the large picture windows. Planters Rooms are exceptionally spacious, with a separate sitting room and dining area, and large balconies overlooking panoramic mountain views. Using family recipes and fresh estate-grown ingredients, delicious local and continental cuisine is served in the farmhouse-style dining room, an area exclusively reserved for staying guests. Sit inside the charming barn interior, furnished with an old-fashioned fireplace and rustic wooden pillars, or dine outside on the quaint terraced tables that overlook beautiful views of the surrounding hills.
Coconut Lagoon
Nelpura Homestay
Philipkutty's Farm
Kumarakom Lake Resort
Oberoi MV Vrinda
Spice Tree, Munnar
Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa
Windermere Estate, Munnar
