PARADISA PLANTATION RETREAT
IDUKKI
USP: Far from the madding crowd
Arriving late in the night, I can only sense I am in the midst of a dense forest surrounded by the alluring scent of spices.
Next morning I wake up to a different world in a room that stands out for its understated grandeur. Through the large windows I can see enchanting dense green hills and blooming orchids caressed by mist and mild rays of sun. Outside in the verandah, the aroma of freshly-brewed coffee takes over me. With a cup of coffee in hand, I sit down to hear the cicadas and calling birds. In the distance on a mountain terrace, I spot a yoga master taking classes by the side of a swimming pool that is in the shape of a giant footprint. The retreat has 13 elegantly spartan cottages amid 40 acres of organic coffee and spice estate, which C.P. Simon, owner of the property, bought with the intention of building a personal retreat. He revamped a salvaged wooden house with carved doors and windows, and was so pleased with the result that he went on to build a dozen more.
Each cottage makes the most of the scenic view and is designed in traditional Kerala style with broad wooden beams, granite and teakwood columns, panelled jackwood walls, terracotta tiled roofs, intricately-carved rosewood doors, and embellished with personally handpicked antiques. The showers open on to private walled courtyards. These old-world teak villas equipped with modern amenities have interesting names such as Cardamom, Coffee garden, Jacaranda, Jasmine, Peppervine, Silver oak and Vanilla.
The central dining is an open-air circular stone pavilion where every meal turns into a gracious social occasion.
It is a farm-to-table experience with Continental and Indian meals tantalisingly blended by Executive Chef Roy, who seems to fathom your taste to the tee. Crispy thin dosas or honey-and-coconut milk-soaked idiappam, abundant sea food, spicy chicken and fish preparations, perfectly-spiced stews and curries leave you asking for more. This luxury resort, where Nature is in its full glory, finds place in the Tatler's list of 101 best hotels in the world and the only one from Kerala to be featured in the elite list. Says Simon, the self-styled architect, who's driven by passion, “This enterprise is born out of the pride we have in our heritage”.
How to reach: The resort is on the Kottayam-Kumily route on the ascent to the Cardamom Hills. It is 40 km from Thekkady, 135 km from Munnar and 180 km from Madurai
Tariff: Cottages Rs.25,000; Deluxe Rooms Rs.12,500. Taxes extra. For enquiries and reservation, contact 0469-2701311/2602828 or 09447088119/09446115982
Things to do: Go on an excursion to Periyar Tiger Reserve
Visit the organic tea factory or ayurvedic nursing and medicine manufacturing units
Take a walk in the countryside
Take a walk in the plantation and learn about the cultivation of coffee, vanilla and spices
Trek to a beautiful lake inside the jungle; Plunge into the swimming pool or do yoga by its side
Get a rejuvenating massage;
Just relax in your cottage verandah, identify the winged visitors and listen to their chirping
Watch cultural performances in the evenings.
(The writer was at the Paradisa Plantation Retreat at the invitation of the resort)
