World-class hospitality on a plantation? I thought to myself, why not! Leaving Mumbai even for a day is amazing and this was for three days – too good to be true. But any less than that will leave you a little worn out if The Tamara (pronounced as Tamra), Coorg is your destination. It is, in all honesty, 310 kms from Bangalore airport.
The drive through the Kodagu District is completely rustic, but the natural and aesthetic beauty of the surroundings doesn’t end there. All of it stretches on until the endless drive brings us to Kabbinakad.
We are shown to our cottages on stilts, laced with all the amenities of a luxury hotel. Padding through lush wooden flooring, I throw open the doors of my private deck and as I breathe in the crisp Coorg air I realise that indeed I am in paradise, or close. One can hear the silence and see the fireflies dancing in the distance. There’s definitely a waterfall somewhere.
Made available to the world in 2012, The Tamara today offers 30 luxury cottages and 6 suites, leisure and recreation zones, a multipurpose conference hall, and several meditation spots. The cottages offer daily maid services, laundry and dry cleaning; a concierge service and what one needs most -a wake up call service.
Early mornings are to die for, as from my king sized bed I actually sight the most wonderful birds on the tall trees that dot the jungle all around. A nature walk with the in house naturalist is in order of course, followed by the Rudraksh trail.
Breakfast at The Falls (multi-cuisine restaurant) marks the official start of the day. The sights and sounds are almost magical. Resting before lunch means getting a little bit of TV action on the HD LCD or a little bit of reading out in the Balcony, alongside the chirping of the birds. An afternoon siesta is an option as days do start early at this resort. The evening looks good as we sit down at the lounge, bar and grill to listen to some live entertainment. Wine and cocktails from the bar flow steadily before dinner.
Early next day, post breakfast we trudge down to the Chelwara falls, and decide to stay back and have lunch right there. Coorg is so beyond the familiar. A plantation tour in the resort’s little buggies helps us to get to know the property a little better.
Later in my cottage as the scene outside transforms itself into a misty rainforest, I pour myself a hot cup of coffee, taking in the lush green elevation from my deck chair, smelling the sweet coffee blossoms. Can this then be known as a moment of soft soul reflection?
A yoga and meditation morning, right under the holy Rudhraksh tree awaited us the next day. After that we were free to ponder, free to roam, and free to breathe the crisp oxygen rich air. We mingled; we laughed and before we knew it our appetites were stimulated. No room service in the cottages, out of respect for the wildlife, is stated. So we trek down to The Falls to indulge in the 5-course meal set out for us by the able Chef.
The Verandah is the resort’s coffee boutique, and we give in to coffee shots and lattes, as evening falls. What would have been enjoyable as well would have been if the holistic spa, the swimming pool and the sports facilities were readied. But we were already satiated in that we experienced nature at its best. And it does leave us tempted to revisit.
Previously published in the Sindhian
Image Credits : Maya Lalchandani
