Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
Paradise by the sea
|
The Travancore Heritage Beach Resort preserves the beauty and uniqueness of Kerala architecture.
|
THE TRAVANCORE Heritage Beach Resort is located near the Chowara beach, 22 km south of the city. As we trod the path, we were not quite prepared for the picturesque vista that awaited us. The huge wooden gate was a curtain raiser to the beauty within. The concept of the resort is to keep up the beauty and uniqueness of Kerala. This has been done with utmost precision. The specialty of this resort is that each cottage is built with procurements from a palace or an old building of architectural splendour from around Travancore. A portion of the majestic Edapally Valiamana Kottaram has been relocated to serve as the lobby. It is distinct with a small nadumuttam, terracotta tiles, old lampshades and chandeliers, and simple yet elegant wooden furniture.
A nelpathayam forms the reception counter. The cottages, classified into three segments -- Heritage Premium, Heritage Home and Pool Mansion -- are fashioned so as to help you trudge down the lane of nostalgia and experience the medieval Kerala lifestyle. The Pool Mansion is in a class of its own and derives its name from the attached pool.
The Premium cottages give you a good view of the sea. Many of the bathrooms in the cottages are partially open to the sky, and yet so private. Architectural ingenuity, one could say. The kasavu-lined handloom curtains, low wooden ceilings, old wood-framed mirrors, terracotta ash dishes and hammocks add to the beauty.
Chacko Paul, promoter and managing director of the resort, says it took him over 16 months to identify and procure materials for his pet project. Nalukettus and palaces were dismantled and reassembled here. "This was time-consuming, but a challenge," says Chacko. And with Peter Paul, general manager and Bejoy, executive chef, this project blossomed out atop a 120-foot-high cliff, overlooking a canopy of coconut palms and the Arabian Sea. In the restaurant, where the Chettinad ceiling is over 150 years old, there is also a cradle of the British era, to lull your baby while you are being pampered with the choice of the day, be it Continental, Chinese or Indian. All these delicacies are dished out from a modern, sterile kitchen, a stark contrast to the ethnicity outside. The corporate workaholics need not feel left behind, for there is a conference room to seat over 50. And if the heat rises after a debate, you could have a dip in the pool to cool yourself. With eight Jacuzzis in the main pool, this could do wonders to your body and soul. You could even walk down the cliff to the pristine beach below. If this is not your idea of relaxation, let ayurvedic doctors heal you with their traditional oil massages, kizhi, pizhichil and steam bath. The library above the reception area has a collection of travelogues and fiction, mostly donated by the guests themselves. Its recreational section has chess, carrom and TV. On the anvil are tennis and badminton courts, a bar and curio shop.
AMBIKA VARMA
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Thiruvananthapuram
Visakhapatnam
|
