Shalimar Spice Garden

Category : Standard Hotel
Address : Murikkady, P.O. Kumily, Dist. Idukki, Kerala - 685 535
Accessibility : 185 kms from Kochi International Airport, 140 kms from Madurai airport, 100 kms from Kottayam railway station and 100 kms from Kottayam KSRTC bus stand.

Description
Set amidst 5 acres of lush green plantations, the Shalimar Spice Garden creates a unique aura that totally mesmerizes you. An architectural masterpiece, the resort is designed by Italian architect Maria Angela, who combined the Indian concepts and Western luxurious comfort. The resort is built on a sylvan land untouched by modernization and offers a perfect blend of European and Indian living styles while retaining the traditional heritage of Kerala simultaneously.

Shalimar Spice Garden has been constructed in such a way that you can feel the lush greens and smell the spice laden aroma while you rest in your room or cottage. With its natural environment and ambience, the Shalimar Spice Garden provides you an opportunity to get closer to the nature. Besides, the nearby Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary adds more to the charm of this picturesque resort.

Accommodation
At Shalimar Spice Garden, accommodation is available in the form of rooms and in stand-alone cottages, which are situated around 5 - 8 metres apart from each other. All rooms and cottages are constructed by traditional materials of Kerala. Tiled roofing provides more authentic traditional Kerala appearance and insulation to the rooms and cottages. The rooms and cottages seem to blend completely with the natural environment surrounded by tea, pepper, coffee and cardamom plantations.

All 10 rooms are simple having whitewashed walls with wooden and terracotta tiled floors. Each room is elegantly appointed and has a large bathroom, which provides you a modernist feel. The resort has 12 cottages which are an artistic blend of Indian and European furnishing styles. Each cottage is different and the simplest has just one bedroom. One cottage is built out of a reassembled heritage Kerala home which has delicately carved wooden panels.

In Room Facilities
24 hrs room service, Air-conditioned rooms, Hot and cold running water, Attached bath, Shower, Hairdryer, Colour TV, Telephone etc.
Other Facilities And Services
Restaurants, Doctor on call, Laundry service, Travel assistance, Money exchange, Business centre, Conference and Banquet facilities, Fax, Swimming pool, Outdoor pool garden, Babysitting, Ayurvedic treatments, Airport transfer and Parking.

Dining
Shalimar Spice Garden has a restaurant which is beautifully decorated with traditional Kerala wooden furniture dating back to mid 20th century. Its exquisite decor provides a homely ambience to the place. The restaurant serves some of the finest Indian and Continental cuisines including authentic Kerala cuisine. You may try one of the tandoori delights like a vegetarian tandoori dish to full range of chicken and fish dishes, and breads.

Other Indian delights that you can savour here include six different version of local fish, chicken and lamb with an exclusive vegetarian menu that include vegetables in ginger and garlic, fish Malabari and chilli chicken. You can enjoy pre-dinner drinks around the fireplace in the lobby. At Shalimar Spice Garden you can take breakfast in the restaurant, the garden, on your balcony. The breakfast ranges from Western continental to North and South Indian dosas and fruit.

Recreation
If you are looking for some leisure activities, Shalimar Spice Garden offers you enough opportunities. If you want to swim, visit the hilltop swimming pool and take a dip. Next explore the 5 acres of woods and lush gardens on your foot. Move outside the resort to watch the bird-life including the local ducks. Go on an excursion trip to the town of Kumily (5 km) and also see tea or spice plantation. Visit the nearby Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekaddy) and spot the elephants, tigers and several other wildlife. Take a full-day trip to the forests and waterfalls of the Cardamon Hill. Also visit the open air-dancing floor to enjoy the cultural programmes.

Ayurveda And Yoga Centre
In its peaceful environment Shalimar Spice Garden offers excellent facilities to rejuvenate your mind and body. The resort has an Ayurveda and Yoga centre where you can take up nature treatments. The Ayurveda and Yoga centre provides ayurvedic treatments like massages pizhichil. Surrender yourself to any of the massages with ayurvedic oils, you can have treatments all through the day. Attend the yoga classes in the morning and evening to learn or improve your yoga. The resort has qualified ayurveda doctors and masseurs, both men and women. You have to consult the ayurveda doctor to start with the treatment for specific ailments. Durations of the ayurveda treatment usually varies from 7 days to 14 days.