A sister hotel to the stylish Malabar House, Serenity is a 2-hour drive from Cochin and halfway to the wildlife reserve of Periyar, near Thekkady, making it the ideal stopover on this otherwise rather long journey. Sitting on a small hilltop, the views over the Blue Mountains of the Western Ghats are breathtaking and the surrounding rubber plantation, along with the shady pool, papaya trees and pepper vines, create a thoroughly tropical feel.

With just 5 rooms, this recently converted 1920s estate house is always peaceful and there is little to disturb you except for the sounds of nature. It can be hired in its entirety as a fully-staffed private villa and would make a great destination for a group of friends travelling together. Alternatively, individual rooms can be taken, with guests dining together on the freshest local produce. There are wonderful, guided walks to be had through the rubber plantations, a masseuse is on hand and Kottayam with its profusion of churches, is close by. Serenity exudes charm, peace and style.

Rooms :

This wonderful 1920’s plantation estate bungalow has been beautifully restored and is decorated entirely in keeping with its colonial past. The dark timber and panelling throughout the property are exquisite and the warm terracotta and turquoise colours that dominate the interiors blend perfectly with the profusion of colonial furniture and with the local environment.

There are 5 bedrooms, comprising 3 double rooms and 2 twin rooms, each with an attached ‘shower’ room, and one with air-con. The rooms on the ground floor have polished stone floors and there is coir carpeting in the 1st floor rooms. The property is replete with stunning artefacts and paintings that have been collected over the years by the owner. The linen and fabrics used throughout the property are fine, natural Indian cotton and canvas.

There is one additional twin room which may be used to sleep 12 people in total. The room has lovely views as it is over the porch and has 3 walls of windows. Although it does not have its own attached bathroom, it does have a small shower room at the end of the corridor.

Meals :

Serenity has a trained, resident chef who will prepare delicious meals, based on the recipes of The Malabar House cuisine. Local Travancore Indian and Mediterranean cuisine is available. Meals are taken either in the dining room, together or on the patio.

There is a daily gourmet theme menu with plenty of choice. Unlike a restaurant kitchen, the cook will discuss the meals directly with you and make sure to accommodate whatever preferences with respect to spiciness, style etc.

Breakfast is included in the daily room rate and can be a choice or combination of a Continental or South Indian breakfast. We loved the South Indian breakfast of of idly, vada and dosa with sambar. coconut cutney and steamed banana.

Also, we reckon that the pasta with either fish or shellfish is the best we had in Kerala - and the fish curry is to die for.

Activities :

• Yoga at Serenity - a new 7 day leisurely holiday programme centred on yoga, which is designed to allow you to mix and match your choice of activities with a Sivananda Yoga course led by Sri Narayanji
• Spending the day with the elephant and her Mahout. Feed him a bunch of bananas, go for a ride on him and visit some of the surrounding planatations, watch him at work, pulling and carrying large logs of wood, and finally share in his delightful bathtime at the end of the day.
• Undisturbed walks (a rarity in India!) in the surrounding rubber plantation, seeing how rubber is produced. The area also includes cocoa, pepper, coffee, cardamom, pineapple, tapioca, papaya and banana plantations.
• For those feeling a bit more energetic and adventurous, explore the surrounding and local village life on one of the mountain bikes.
• Visits to the Aranmula cultural centre on the River Pamba for performances of classical and Katakali dances, courses on astrology and natural medicine.
• Excursions to Ettumanur, a Shiva temple with stunning frescoes.
• Excursions to Kerala’s main Christian centre at Kottayam, wihc boasts the 16th century churches of Cherai Palli and Valia Palli.
• Visits to Orchid nurseries

Features :

• The delightful tamed elephant who you can spend the most magical day with.
• The plantation swimming pool surrounded by trees, fitted with a state of the art filtration plant
• The mountain bikes with Shimano gears that are available for free at the property.
• An old fashioned gramophone with a huge collection of wonderful old classical and jazz LPs.
• Money changing facility (provided at The Malabar House, Cochin)
• E-mail facilities are available via a dial up service from a guests’s laptop and the hotel’s telephone. Charges are local phone charges only.
• A small, Ayurvedic treatment spa and gym will be in operation by Autumn 2004.
• The drawing room can be used for meetings and seminars.
• The hotel owns two excellent Toyota Qualis vehicles which can be hired (from The Malabar House) for local excursions.
• Sightseeing excursions can be arranged on site by contacting the hotel manager.
• Massages can be arranged

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