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PHOTOS: SOMA BASU

SCENIC SPLENDOUR At Westwood Riverside Garden Resort

WESTWOOD RIVERSIDE GARDEN RESORT

USP: For refreshment, 8,000 feet above sea level

I sat facing the perennial river Munnar that bejewels this picturesque boutique hotel, munching simple and tasty South Indian breakfast of ‘pongal, idli, vada.’ Birds chirped in the background and the river flowed gently, winding its way through the virgin green tea plantations.

At 7 a.m., it was absolute silence and sheer bliss and I was in total communion with the delightful melodies of Nature here in the theme restaurant called ‘Claypot’ at the Westwood Riverside Garden Resort in Munnar.

This abode of luxury and comfort is among the first three-star hotels that came up in this enchanting hill station at the turn of the Century. The property with 42 rooms stands on 25 cents with a landscape that is predominantly lush green and wooden brown.

The scenic beauty outside is matched by a colonial hangover inside. The hotel, promoted by the EVM Leisure Holidays & Resorts group, is housed in an old building built by the British, as is the case with most structures in this once summer retreat of the Raj.

The reception area and the lobby have a strong influence of English paintings and architecture. The lift, for instance, is done like a telephone booth in London. The antique telephone, the garden benches, the lamp-post… all add to the façade.

I relaxed in the cheery interiors of the presidential suite, a unique construction with glass walls. This indeed is a special room with a 360 degree view of the rich woods, misty mountains, springing streams, breathtaking landscapes, sprawling tea estates. Each of the other 41 well-appointed rooms too has a river view and is categorised as executive, deluxe or standard.

The salubrious climate in Munnar is perhaps why I am unable to keep hunger at bay. And the resort offers a feast for your taste buds at its four restaurants. Apart from ‘Claypot,’ which specialises in tandoor fare, there is ‘Wood ‘n’ Spice,’ a multi-cuisine restaurant, ‘The Bliss,’ a waterfront open-air barbecue restaurant and ‘Café de Riviera,’ which serves fast food.

If you think you have indulged enough in food and luxury and have time left to soak in the beauty of Nature, opt for the multifarious leisure activities conveniently packaged by the hotel.

How to reach: Munnar is 109 km from Thekkady, Madurai 170 km, Ernakulam 130 km, Kottayam, 150 km. The hotel is barely a km from the KSRTC Bus stand on NH 49. CSI Christ’s Church is a important landmark for reaching the place.

Things to do: Packaged tour programmes for boating, trekking and sightseeing are available. There are water falls within 10 to 25 km from the hotel. Dams 15 to 30 km. The country’s first ever tea museum is three km away. Tea gardens and coffee plantations beckon in all directions.

If you are the indoor type, enjoy the facilities at the hotel’s recreation club and play soccer table, carom, chess, table tennis. Browse in the library, visit the in-house shop for ethnic and antique items.

Settle for a massage in the health club, burn out your fat in the gym but don’t miss the bonfire with music followed by a film screening (on request) in the nights.

Tariff: Presidential suite: Rs.4,000. Executive rooms: Rs.3,400. Deluxe rooms: Rs.2,800. Standard rooms: Rs.2,300. Plus taxes and charges as applicable.

SOMA BASU

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