In the heart of Kerala’s Western Ghats, Thekkady is one of India’s most fascinating wildlife destinations. Set 700 metres above sea level, the hill station is most famous as the gateway to the legendary Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. Brilliant for nature enthusiasts and keen adventurers alike, the best places to stay in Thekkady promise a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere, gorgeous views and access to myriad outdoor activities.

The Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve, spanning more than 925 square kilometres, is easily the region’s leading attraction. Spend your days hiking through the reserve’s dense forests with an expert guide, spotting elephants and tigers, fluttering birds and a plethora of indigenous flora. Rafting excursions on pristine Periyar Lake are another highlight, as are cycling tours along winding lanes between picturesque spice plantations.

This is a very special part of Kerala, and a fantastic contrast to the beaches and the verdant backwaters found closer to the coast. Thekkady’s cooler mountain climate has made tea and spice-growing popular, and tours of organic cardamom, pepper, and cinnamon farms come highly recommended — as do cooking classes using fantastically fresh ingredients. Many of the best places to stay in Thekkady offer excellent culinary workshops or Ayurvedic spas, and some even boast their own expansive kitchen gardens. Nature-focused travellers will be in their element!

The Best Places to Stay in Thekkady 

For Intimate Charm

• The Lake Palace was a former summer residence of the King of Travancore. Set on the banks of Periyar Lake, it offers a wonderfully tranquil experience for nature lovers eager to spot lumbering elephants or birds gliding across the water. Relax in traditional guest rooms with four-poster beds, savour fresh cuisine and enjoy boat trips on the glittering lake. A charming heritage choice.
• Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club has just six romantic cottages with wood-panelled walls, forest views and big cosy beds. There's a refreshing infinity pool, pan-Asian fare at Café Samsara and rejuvenating treatments at the Ayurvedic spa. 

For Contemporary Style

• Wild Avenue Resort & Spa offers airy suites with dark polished wood, garden views & all the mod cons. Contemporary yet reasonably priced, the hotel has a multi-cuisine restaurant, an Ayurvedic spa and a great games room, along with a swimming pool. 
• The Mountain Courtyard sits on four and a half acres of leafy gardens. The 50 rooms have crisp white linens offset with touches of pale green, and dark wooden furnishings. A forest-framed pool, two restaurants and small spa complete the picture. Modern and family friendly. 

For Romantic Luxury

• Hills & Hues, set high on a hillside with views towards the sparkling waters of Periyar Lake, invites romantics to unwind in blissful tranquility. Light-filled rooms and suites feature floral textiles, exposed wooden beams and big beds. Guests can also enjoy a soothing spa, swimming pool, games room and cooking classes.

For a Nature-Focused Retreat

• Harvest Fresh Farms is a simple farm stay with just three individually appointed guest rooms. Pick this place for the great rates, relaxed feel and the chance to tour the working farm — a fascinating example of Thekkady's abundance of fresh seasonal fare and spices.
• Spice Village will delight nature lovers with its 12 acres of leafy gardens, resident naturalists and abundance of birdlife. Elephant grass-thatched cottages have airy terraces, tiled floors and wooden furnishings. Garden-grown ingredients feature in delicious dishes and at cooking classes, plus there's a pool for refreshing dips. 
• Cardamom County by Xandari has a strong eco-focus. Located near the Periyar Nature Reserve, the family friendly resort's 44 green-painted suites and cottages have whitewashed interiors with exposed beams and garden views. There's farm-to-table cuisine, Ayurvedic treatments and a swimming pool, but the real focus is on wildlife excursions and hikes. 
• Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort & Spa offers 18 cosy rooms and cottages with garden views. Unwind on hammocks, stroll through the hotel's spice gardens, and take informative cookery classes. Very reasonably priced, with a rustic sense of style.  

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