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THE KERALA COLLECTION
For further details, images and fact sheets on each property, please click on the individual hotel names listed below.
 
One of Kerala's only 'boutique' hotels, the Malabar
House is a fascinating and sophisticated hotel, situated on a peaceful
green on Fort Cochin. An inspired mixture of local furniture and
antiques, combined with contemporary designs and stunning, vibrant
colour schemes, is all housed within a pretty, old Dutch colonial
mansion which has been lovingly restored to its former glory. The
cuisine and choice of wines is second to none, whilst the staff
are friendly yet discreet. It is ideally situated for wandering
out to see the Chinese fishing nets or for taking gentle strolls
around the island which abounds with churches and interesting architecture.
One of the most innovative hotels in Kerala. |
Situated a two minute walk from The Malabar House
and overlooking the parade ground, Trinity is a delightful 3-bedroom
hotel / villa which boasts entirely modern interior design and showcases
some stunning antique furniture and objets d’art. It occupies part
of an old building and is a unique, tasteful and stylish blend of
the old and the new – clean lines, open spaces, cantilevered mezzanines,
airy bathrooms and almost minimalist décor, are combined with traditional
wooden furniture and local Malayali design concepts. There is a
large sitting / dining room and, ‘hanging’ down from the ceiling,
is a mezzanine floor replete with deep cushions and daybeds. There
are 3 excellent bedrooms and bathrooms, along with an intimate outside
sitting area on the first floor and a small, shady swimming pool
downstairs. The perfect chic retreat in a quiet corner of Cochin.
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 Privacy,
Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom
The sister property of Malabar House, Privacy
is the ultimate 'backwater' retreat. Lying on the shores of Lake
Vembanad, just 1 ˝ 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, it is the ideal place to come
on your own or with friends and is a place where you really can
get away from the masses and completely switch off for a few days
or weeks. 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. It has been decorated in the same stunning style as Malabar
House, with similar colour schemes and colonial-style furniture.
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A further sister hotel of the above two properties,
Serenity is situated midway between Cochin and Thekkady, making
it the ideal stopover on this otherwise rather long journey. 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. |
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 and away from the hordes of other ‘ricebarges’ cruising
in the area. 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! |
Undoubtedly Kerala's finest beach hotel, 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 is undoubtedly the finest in Kerala.
Housed in a newly constructed building well away from the main hotel
and swimming pool, it 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. |
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. It is run
by a charming couple who have a great talent for design and the
interiors of the cottages and rooms are decorated simply but stylishly
and in keeping with traditional, local styles. In the evenings sit
by a cosy log fire, after a day out walking in the spice plantations
or at Periyar. Alternatively, enjoy a therapeutic massage at the
Ayurvedic centre or an invigorating swim in the pool. Beautiful
antiques, artefacts and woodwork, dominate the premises which is
softly lit and has a very spiritual air about it. A perfect entry
or departure point for Kerala. |
Sitting on Observatory Hill, high in the Palni
Hills, Windermere Estate 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 clouds 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,
Windermere Estate would appeal to people who like to escape from
the bustling cities and who have a love for the great outdoors.
The owning family live in the old planters bungalow and their friendly
staff will take you off on long walks in the hills or private cardamom
estate. It is very much a place to experience the hills at their
best as the peace and solitude up here is second to none - nature
and an unspoilt wilderness envelop you. Delicious, local cuisine
will ensure no-one goes out on an empty stomach and thirst-quenching
mint tea awaits guests on their return from a vigorous and informative
walk. |
At last there is now
a wonderful beach and spa hotel in north Kerala so visitors to
the area no longer have to traipse down south for a bit of beach
life. Neeleshwar Hermitage is stunning in every way and the attention
to detail is superb. Not only is it supremely comfortable with
huge rooms, beautiful woodwork and masonry and immaculate finish,
but it also offers an excellent spa and unparalleled seafood.
Fabulous for children, visiting forts, pampering and relaxing,
or cruising the backwaters, and all in an area as yet to be developed
or ruined by mass tourism.
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