Description
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 wonderful little retreat are truly awe-inspiring and you often find yourself looking down on the clouds below you, but 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 consciously avoids anything hotel-like. There is no reception, and home-cooked meals are served in a dining room with kitchen at the far end. 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.
Local sites and attractions include the Eravikulam National Park which is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and the Anamudi peak located in the southern region of the park. There is also the Tea Museum in Munnar where you can experience the art of tea making and Marayoor where you can visit the caves (muniyaras) with murals and relics from the New Stone Age. Thoovanam waterfall and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are also nearby.
Accommodation
Windermere Estate offers guests 15 rooms including 3 cottages. There are 4 Guarde rooms set in verdant gardens with a typical plantation home interior and a spacious verandah offering stunning views of the Chithirapuram valley below. The cottages house a further 6 rooms with king size beds and spacious bathrooms. Finally the Planter's Villa Rooms with their gorgeous French windows feature private balconies, sitting and dining areas, and a bathroom which opens into a courtyard.
Childcare
Children are welcome but here are no specific facilities.
Facilities
There is no reception and home-cooked meals are served in a dining room with kitchen at the far end. There is also a bright, airy library and yoga space, an open-sided thatched tea hut and an Alpine restaurant for private dining.
Activities
There is plenty of walking to be done around the hotel and beyond however guided walks of tea and spice estates and golf will be charged additionally. Local sites and attractions include the Eravikulam National Park, the Tea Museum in Munnar and the Thoovanam waterfall to name a few. The Rajiv Gandhi National Park is also nearby. With its rich forest cover, small streams, valleys, and waterfalls, the park is home to a healthy population of tiger, Indian bison, and elephant.
When to travel
Isolated from much of India by the Western Ghats, the climate of Kerala & Karnataka is tropical and as a result of the mountain ranges the area isn’t as dry as much of India. The best time to visit is from April through June. While there can be the occasional light showers these are just a prelude of the wet weather to come. The weather is generally hot and humid during this early summer. The monsoon season arrives in late June and thus can wash out July and August. September is much more humid as a result of the rainy season, and the fall can be dry but with the humidity this makes it feel quite the warm. The temperatures cool down and the humidity lets up as winter comes in around December, with this season lasting until February when the dry spring returns. Winter can be a pleasant time to visit, especially if you’re looking to head off the beach and explore this Indian land of mystery.
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Average time to visit
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Location and directions
Munnar, Kerala, India
Windemere Estate is set in Munnar, part of the Kerala Hill Country in southern India, situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani and Kundala in the Western Ghats.
How to get there
13-hour flight (1 change) to Cochin International Airport. The drive to Windermere Estate from the airport takes around 3-hours.
