Nothing like a holiday in the hills to breathe in some fresh mountain air and get rid of your summer blues. And the Vivanta by Taj – Madikeri, at Coorg, provides the perfect escape.
Nestled in the Western Ghats in the south of Karnataka, close to the Kerala border, is the little mountain town of Coorg, formerly known as Kodagu. Other than being one of the main coffee plantations in south India, the hill town has been a favourite getaway thanks to its proximity to Bangalore and Mysore being one of the factors in its favour.
Describing Coorg would be like stringing together a bunch of clichés –from ‘rolling hills and misty mountains’, a view ‘to die for’ to ‘right in the lap of nature’ – and every one of these would hold true. The little town has been a great getaway option for ages and with the Taj property opening there, it’s a new luxury option for the discerning traveller.
ROOMS WITH A VIEW
The property, spread over a 180 acres, is about 4,000 feet above sea level and takes full advantage of the breathtaking views offered by its location. Three types of accommodation – the regular villas, the luxury bliss villas and the 9,000 square foot presidential villas – are on offer and each of them provide stunning views through full length French windows.
While the luxury villas and the presidential suite come with extra perks like a heated indoor pool with skylights, a separate dining room and living area, every villa has its own fireplace. It is pointless in summer, but I am told that it gets quite cold during the rainy season and the fireplace can be lit on request then. If you have ever had visions of warming yourself in front of a cosy fireplace, the stone and cement hearth here is right out of a story book.
The décor throughout the hotel is kept basic with dark, wood tones contrasted with white and other light earthy colours, creating a colour scheme that’s soothing and relaxing. Contrast this with the bright green from the rainforests surrounding the villas, and it is clear that the focus is completely on nature. Large clear glass windows run the length of the room, letting the amazing view take centre stage. If you’re lucky enough to get a valley view room, then you will wake up feeling like you’re (quite literally) on top of the world!
For dining options, there are a number of restaurants to choose from. If you’re feeling all healthy, Dew, the hotel’s wellness restaurant, is a must try. Tucked into a small corner of the lobby, a floor above the spa, the restaurant has a limited menu but each of the dishes has been designed to ensure a balance between health and flavour. If you’re looking for some indulgence a visit to Nellaki – the restaurant that serves traditional Coorgi cuisine is a must. Guests can indulge in some delicious pork curry (called Pandi curry) made in the traditional style with a spicy, peppery gravy, or even try out the Kodagu-style chicken biryani, which is quite unique. Mushrooms are a staple in Coorgi cuisine and the mushroom soup, with the unusual spice and dominant pepper, is a great option for vegetarians.
TO-DO LIST!
The best part of the property is probably the fact that you can never run out of things to do here. If you get bored of relaxing in your villa, there are a number of options ranging from nature walks and ziplining for the adventurous, to the well-equipped spa and pottery classes for those who want less strenuous activity.
Early birds can set out at 6:30 am for a walk through the Nishanibetta hills, which runs through the rainforests that cover most of Coorg. Early mornings are extremely pleasant in this area, even in summers, but the heat sets in quite harshly around midday, so the best time to go exploring would be early mornings and in the evenings around four, when another session of cycling and trekking is usually organised. Another fun thing to do is to try out the zip-lining through a small section of the rainforest, for a slightly elevated view (and some cheap thrills). The nature walk is a great way to experience nature first hand, and it’s a great place to dust off that camera and try out some photography skills. However, I would also recommend leaving your camera and phone behind and just getting the feel of what it’s like to live a simpler, tech-free life. My guide pointed out some exotic flora and fauna including rudraksh trees, cardamom and coffee plants, and I even got a whiff of some wild jasmine and eucalyptus. Make sure to carry some good walking shoes though, since it is hilly terrain and walking around requires some extra care.
For those less inclined to physical exertion – it is a holiday resort after all – there is still a lot to do. I tried my hand at pottery and while it was fun, it’s nowhere as effortless as Demi Moore made it look! Set aside some quality time to spend at the Jiva Spa, a must visit. Everything from their delicious detox tea to the jasmine-infused oil they use seemed to have an extremely relaxing effect that’s sure to stay with you throughout your stay. You can even head down to the conservatory where the friendly colonel will give you a quick lesson on the Kodava community and what makes them unique – a fascinating account for those who are curious about the history of the place. Other options include chilling at the pool with a gorgeous view of the valley, playing a game of virtual golf or trying your hand at cooking some Coorgi delicacies along with the resident chef.
Take a walk around, indulge at the spa, try out some delicious traditional Coorgi fare, get a good look at the beauty of the rainforests and generally breathe in some of the fresh mountain air and relax in your own luxurious villa – a trip to the Taj Madikeri is the perfect getaway from the city this summer.
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Smartbuy> Luxury & Fashion / by Elizabeth Mathew elizabeth. mathew@thehindu. co. in / April 24th, 2013
