accommodation
brunton boatyard
This first class boutique hotel, designed in the colonial style of the 16th century, is beautifully located at Fort Cochin, on the bay. All 22 rooms and suites, as well as the sparkling swimming pool, overlook the waterfront and are furnished with traditional wooden furniture, but modern touches, such as air-conditioning, add to your comfort. Ayurvedic massage treatments are a speciality here, while a daily highlight is the boat cruise that takes guests on sunset tours of the bay.
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style
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colonial style boutique hotel
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rooms
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22 (corner rooms, standard sea facing rooms, deluxe sea facing suite)
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location
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fort cochin
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features
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swimming pool, ayurveda centre, history cafe - multi cuisine restaurant, coffee shop / bar, harbour cruise, spice market, jew street, matancherry, st. francis' church, walk down to the chinese fishing nets and treatments, boat cruise
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transfer
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42kms from cochin international airport
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windermere estate
Sitting high on Observatory Hill, high in the Pani Hills, this charming retreat is perched on a hilltop, surrounded by a cardamom estate. The 360 degree views from this delicious little retreat are truly awe-inspiring and you often find yourself looking down on the clouds below you. When the coulds disperse, the Western Ghats open up before you. Windermere, famous for its unique ambience and charm was established in the 19th Century. With rooms in the farmhouse and separate cottages which look over the valley below, this is the perfect base from which to explore the great outdoors, unwind and fill your lungs with pure mountain air. The owning family live in the planters house next door and their friendly staff will take you on long walks in the hills or private cardamom estate. It is very much the place to experience the hills at their best as the peace and solitude up here is second to none - nature and unspolit wilderness envelope you. Delicious local cuisine will ensure that no-one goes out on an empty stomach and thirst-quenching mint tea awaits guests on their return from an invigorating and informative walk. Dining at Windermere is exclusively for in-house guests. Be sure not to miss sunrise from the hilltop lookout.
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style
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old fashioned, homely plantation retreat
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rooms
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15 (farmhouse, valley view rooms and cottages)
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location
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munnar
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features
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delicious home-cooked meals served in farmhouse-cum-chalet style dining room/kitchen, telephones and televisions in all rooms, birdsong and walks!
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shalimar spice garden
Nestling in a valley in the low hills of the Southern Ghats and surrounded by tropical jungle, this rustic retreat is ideal for visiting nearby Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary where you can go tiger and elephant spotting and see exotic animals such as macaques, sambar, langur, antelopes, indian bison, leopards and wild boar. Take a wander down to the local town of Kumily (5km) to browse for local crafts and get an auto rickshaw back up; visit a nearby tea or spice plantation; or take a day trip to the forests and waterfalls of the cardamom hills. In the evenings sit by a cosy log fire. Alternatively, enjoy a therapeutic massage at the Ayurvedic centre, a yoga lesson, or an invigorating swim in the pool. Beautiful antiques, artefacts and woodwork dominate Shalimar, which is softly lit and has a very spiritual air about it.
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style
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secluded mountain retreat
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rooms
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12
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location
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thekkady, the hill country
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features
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ayurvedic and yoga centre, full range of ayurvedic treatments and on-site doctor, gardens with exotic flora (labelled for you to learn!), spice trees and a small stream running through, the ‘natural lullabies’ - birds and insects tune up for evening singsongs! large swimming pool with views and sun lounges, delicious ginger and lime welcome drink and handwritten note, reliable laundry service and airport transfers arranged
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serenity at kanam estate
This wonderful 1920's estate bungalow has been beautifully restored and is decorated entirely in keeping with its colonial past. The timber and panelling through the property are exquisite and the warm peach and turquoise colours that dominate the interiors blend perfectly with the profusion of colonial furniture. Sitting on a hilltop, the views over the Blue Mountains of the Western Ghats are breathtaking and the surrounding rubber plantation provides a very tropical feel. With just 5 rooms, it is always peaceful and there is little to disturb you except for the sounds of nature.
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style
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1920’s converted estate house
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rooms
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5 rooms (villa/ guesthouse)
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location
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vazhoor, the hill country
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features
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plantation swimming pool surrounded by trees & fitted with a state of the art filtration plant, mountain bikes that are available for free, old fashioned gramophone with a huge collection of wonderful old classical and jazz lps, money changing facility (provided at the malabar house, cochin), e-mail facilities are available via a dial up service from a guests’s laptop and the hotel’s telephone, small ayurvedic treatment spa and gym, the drawing room can be used for meetings and seminars, sightseeing excursions can be arranged on site by contacting the hotel manager, massages can be arranged, two excellent toyota qualis vehicles which can be hired (from the malabar house) for local excursions, delightful tamed elephant!
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privacy
Privacy is the ultimate 'backwater' retreat. Lying on the shores of LakeVembanad, just 1 ½ hours south of Cochin, this heavenly little place comprises 2 cottages. One cottage (the suite) sits on the very edge of the lake and comprises a bedroom with en suite bathroom and sitting room and is a modern construction. The other cottage is a beautiful old, re-constructed traditional Malayali house. It is made almost entirely of wood and comprises 2 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. It is warm and cosy and set back a little from the lakeside. Both boast long verandahs, a lush green garden and the ultimate in lake and sunset views, together with wonderful artefacts scattered all around the interiors.
Fully staffed, Privacy is the ideal place to come on your own or with friends to get away from the masses and completely switch off for a few days. The perfect place to read, write, take gentle boat rides on the lake and in the maze of inland canals. Or, simply sit on the verandah and watch life on the lake unfolding silently before you.
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style
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private fully staffed cottages
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rooms
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2 cottages (2 bed/ 1 bed)
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location
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lake vembanad, cochin and the backwaters
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features
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delicious european and indian food, cooked to order, money changing facility (provided at malabar house, cochin), e-mail facilities are available via a dial up service from a guest’s laptop and the hotel’s telephone, a masseur / masseuse from the local town can be called in as and when required, privacy has its own antique wooden country boat with ecological inboard motor and sunroof which can be used for exploring the nearby canals and villages, two excellent toyota qualis vehicles which can be hired (from the malabar house) for local excursions
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spice coast houseboat
This ‘Kettuvallom’ traditional rice barge is made from only natural and local materials with coir matted decks and canopies made of split bamboo and palm fronds. On board you will be served simple local dishes which on a typical day would include the famed Karimeen and freshwater prawns.
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style
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traditional rice barge
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rooms
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1
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location
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backwaters of kerala
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features
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delicious local food cooked on board, glimpses of traditional keralan ways of life that can only be seen from the water, total peace
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discovery 1
With the launch of Discovery 1, cruising the backwaters has been transformed and taken to a whole new level of style and comfort. Created by the highly innovative Joerg Drechsel of Malabar House fame, and decorated with his trademark flair and taste, Discovery 1 is silent and pollutant free. It is highly maneuverable and able to get into many of the smaller canals and is not limited simply to lake cruising. Hence Discovery 1 is only available for hire for a minimum of 3 nights in order that one gains a ‘true’ backwater experience by getting deep into these myriad canals and waterways. It has an upstairs sundeck / dining area which is partly covered for resting in the shade and partly open for sun bathing and birdwatching. There is one large bedroom, a dressing room, bathroom and sitting room downstairs. The sitting room has L-shaped sofas which can be converted into two extra beds. The staff and the food served on board are as per the Malabar House’s usual high standards. One of the largest boats on the backwaters, it is unrivalled in terms of luxury!
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style
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luxury houseboat
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rooms
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upstairs deck and dining area, 1 large bedroom, dressing room, bathroom and sitting room downstairs
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location
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lake vembanad, cochin and the backwaters
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features
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eco-friendly houseboat with contemporary design and silent electric motors, able to get into smaller canals, minimum stay 3 nights, L-shaped sofas in sitting room can be converted into two extra beds, staff and food of extremely high standard
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marari beach resort
52 cottages are sprawled expansively across 25 acres of land separated by generous stretches of open parkland, dotted with fruit-laden trees. A typical cottage at Marari looks almost identical to a local fisherman's hut. There is the same palm thatch, swooping low over a raised verandah, complete with a little tap by the steps to wash your feet with. Simplicity and harmony mark the interiors, which nevertheless contain all the comforts of a modern resort. The bathrooms are open-roofed courtyards, similar to those in the homes of old Kerala. There's ultra - modern plumbing of course, and hot-and-cold running water too. Settle into the languid pace of life, relax by the pool or on the beach, eat delicious, freshly grilled seafood and explore the local area and its fishing villages by bicycle.
A strong emphasis is placed on environmental measures such as rain water harvesting, tree and mangrove planting, extensive recycling, solar water heating, energy efficient lighting systems and crucially training staff in conservation awareness. Not one tree was cut down to create the Resort, and only local materials and labour were used in its construction. Organic waste is composted on site and used in the gardens; there's even a daily environmental tour of the Resort including the butterfly and organic garden.
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style
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village styled beach resort of thatched cottages
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rooms
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52
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location
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mararikulam
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features
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large swimming pool near the main restaurant and bar, ayurvedic centre, yoga centre, massage, wonderful unspoiled beach - no watersports permitted that emit smoke, great for couples and families, charming service and delicious keralan food
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surya samudra beach garden
Undoubtedly one of Kerala's finest beach hotels, Surya Samudra is situated on a small cliff overlooking a vast expanse of beach to one side and a small, secluded bay to the other. It comprises various 1, 2 and 4 bedroom cottages scattered throughout a palm grove and interconnected by pathways. They have been brilliantly re-constructed in true Malayali style, each with a verandah and open-air bathroom and are predominantly made of wood. Perhaps the highlight, is the cliffside swimming pool which has literally been dug out of the rock, which forms the base and one side of the pool. The new Niraamaya Ayurvedic Spa (housed in a newly constructed building well away from the main hotel and swimming pool) is a haven of peace and tranquility. It is beautiful and traditional in its style, comfort and simplicity. There are 6 treatment rooms and both Ayurvedic treatments and international massages are available. The re-vamped restaurant, with its glorious sea views, offers an abundance of delicious, fresh seafood and other goodies. The perfect end to any holiday.
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style
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luxurious beachside hotel
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rooms
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21 traditional wooden keralan houses
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location
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nr kovalam, southern beaches
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features
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100 yards from secluded beach, freshwater swimming pool carved out of granite rocks, cool rooms - in both senses of the word, modern facilities including telephones, fridges, mineral water, tea/coffee makers (air con in some rooms) hammocks beside the pool and around the cottages, 10 acres of lush tropical gardens, endless views over the arabian sea, individual service - you will be looked after as much or as little as you want to be, ayurvedic treatments and massage in the refurbished niraamaya spa which has separate massage and treatment rooms for men and women, with a consulting physician and masseurs, a variety of treatments, wellness therapies, massages and vitality programmes are on offer. fresh fish, organic fruit and vegetables, scrumptious tea time chocolate cake, special sundowner cocktails, environmentally conscious: no waste enters the sea, solar heated water, recycling
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