Perched at 1,600m among vivid green tea plantations and misty blue mountains, Windermere Estate is a nature retreat with a Scottish Highlands feel. Wooden beams and floorboards, terracotta tiles, cheerfully-checked linen and lace curtains all add a warm, homely feel. Ophthalmic surgeon Dr Simon bought this 60-acre cardamom plantation estate in the 1990s and, when he opened the first 4 rooms, deliberately went for a farmhouse-cum-chalet feel rather than that of a hotel. Since then he’s built 12 more cottages and planter's villas, a wooden barn housing a bistro-style dining room, a bright and airy library and yoga space, and an open-sided thatched tea hut.
This is a low-key, tranquil place where you can fill your lungs with mountain air through nature walks and barbecues beneath the massive garden boulder, with its 360-degree viewing platform, or unwind with occasional yoga classes in the library. Dr Simon’s own planter’s bungalow sits at the centre of the estate, which can be booked as a whole, and he and his wife oversee hospitality and chat charmingly to guests.
Highs
- The glorious, uplifting scenery provides satisfyingly long walks
- The views are a great fix if you miss the green, green grass of home - they must qualify as some of the most verdant in India
- The homely, chalet feel is enhanced by the charming presence of your host and his wife
- Those dreaming of a good British fry-up can feast on eggs, crispy bacon and sausages
- All the rooms are spacious and the cottages and planter's villas are blessed with fabulous mountain views
Lows
- No alcohol licence, though you can bring your own drinks to enjoy in your room
- The scenery is lush for a reason - clouds and rain are more common than in the rest of India, even outside monsoon season.
- The power supply can be erratic, but there is a back-up generator
Best time to go
There are no major seasonal weather changes in Kerala as it benefits from a temperate, tropical climate all year round. Being in the hills, however, the estate does cool down at night, though room heaters are provided and there’s an open fire in the Barn Restaurant. It tends to rain most heavily during June and July. The best time to visit is from August until March, before temperatures rise and the pre-monsoon showers and humidity set in.
Our top tips
Trek through the lush, electric-green forests and misty purple mountains for the opportunity to spot wildlife such as huge, gliding squirrels - don't forget to pack good-quality, comfortable walking boots, light waterproofs and binoculars.
- Boutique Hotel
- 18 bedrooms
- Restaurant (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
All 18 bedrooms, spread across villas and cottages with names such as Coffee, Vanilla, Cardamom and Tea, are clean, comfortable and remarkably spacious, with twin beds pushed together as doubles, terracotta-tiled or varnished wood floors and big picture windows.
The 8 ground-floor Garden Rooms are plainer than the rest but are still warmly furnished and have verandas looking out over the garden and valley. The 8 larger Estate Rooms on the upper floors offer balconies or sitting areas, with views across the valley or the tea plantations, and some have bare stone feature walls. Two of the Garden Rooms and two of the Estate Rooms interconnect, providing a good option for families.
The 2 spacious Planters Rooms have a double bedroom, a sitting/study area, a balcony, French windows and a bathroom which opens onto a private courtyard. Decorated in classic cream and white with polished wooden floorboards, they offer the best views and the most privacy.
Features include:
- WiFi
Eating
A team of in-house chefs whip up traditional Malayali, oriental and continental meals, often using Dr Simon’s own family recipes. The menu features more meat dishes than you’ll usually find in Kerala, including bacon, sausages and locally-raised beef, pork and mutton. Plantains, spinach, spices and honey all come from the estate.
Breakfasts start with papaya or mussambi (tangy yellow orange) juice, followed by a spicy south Indian kick-starter or Western comforts such as cereals, toast and jam and fry-ups.
Dinner, served in the wooden-raftered Barn Restaurant, is table d’hote rather than à la carte, with a variety of tasty meat and vegetable curries or continental dishes. Specialties include mollie, a Syrian-Christian delicacy of fish cooked in fresh coconut milk, and a knock-out pork vindaloo.
Lunch of sandwiches, Keralan curries and desserts is available at any time of the day. There is also a thatched tea hut for afternoon snacks, plus a barbecue space under the massive garden boulder for feasting on flame-grilled meats, fish and vegetables.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Lunch by arrangement
- Restaurant
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Every afternoon, there's a complimentary guided walk through the 60-acre estate's soaring evergreen forests, highlighting cardamom cultivation and processing
- Early risers can book a birding walk with a knowledgeable guide - the birdlife is splendid here
- Other guided hikes include the ascent through tea bushes to the top of Chokkan Mudi; the woodland trail to Attukadu Waterfall for a picnic (allow 4 hours), and the climb up into the mountains for views of the colonial town of Munnar
- Visit one of the tea museums and factories in the Tata tea country, where the history, processing and art of making a cup of tea are all revealed; day trips by jeep can be arranged
- Speedboating is available at Mattupetty Dam (13km away), though it can get crowded with Indian daytrippers
- The Indo-Swiss Project is worth visiting for its beautiful garden, cattle farm, vegetable-dye processing and plant nursery in the middle of a vast grassland
- The adventurous can climb Meesampulimala, the second highest peak in the Western Ghats (2,600m). The ascent takes around 8 hours, and staff can arrange transport to the starting point in the stunning Silent Valley, an hour's drive away
- Afterwards, unwind beside the outdoor pool, drinking in the verdant views
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Plantlife / flora
- Traditional cultures
- Wildlife
- Yoga
Kids
Children of all ages are welcome, although there are no additional facilities for younger visitors. There are two sets of interconnecting rooms which are ideal for families.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Windemere Estate is set in Munnar, part of the Kerala HIll Country in southern India.
By Air
Cochin (Kochi) International (110km / 3.5 hrs) is the closest airport.
From the Airport
Windermere can arrange taxi transfers and, if needed, a driver for local excursions. Alternatively you can book your own car with driver for the duration of your holiday, either through our local recommended operator or through Windermere. Try and ensure that the driver knows this region and its roads; signposting to Windermere is poor and some guests have got lost.
Airports:
- Cochin International 110.0 km COK
Other:
- Beach 200.0 km
- Shops 2.0 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 3 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape