Words by Bindu Gopal Rao
The Tamara Coorg in Karnataka redefines luxury with cottage-style villas built on stilts that overlook the verdant greens of the Western Ghats. Cocooned among 180 acres of a lush coffee plantation, the resort is secluded and allows you to break away from the urban chaos.
A six hour drive from Bangalore gets me at the doorstep of The Tamara (meaning Lotus) an uber luxury resort in the coffee land of Coorg. I am given a traditional welcome and a glass of jaggery coffee, a signature drink that is the best way to warm me up. The resort itself is on an incline and I am soon whisked into a buggy to head to my room that has a view straight out of a dream.
Stilted Accommodation
The 56 cottage villas are all on stilts and this is why the resort has a policy of only allowing children above the age of 12. There are four kinds of accommodation with the Eden Lotus Cottage, the most exclusive cottage that is the largest one with two bedrooms, an expansive living room and a sundeck with a Jacuzzi. The 1670 square feet space is for four adults and is equipped with state of the art amenities. The superior luxury cottages and the luxury cottages spread over 608 square feet are all located on a cliff and the elegant interiors in pastel tones of teal, beige and green add a nice feel. The bed is on an elevated platform and the living area has a chess board, a complimentary non-alcoholic mini bar as well as a coffee table. The suite cottages are equipped with a separate living area and all rooms come with 3D LED television with HD satellite channels, 3D movie library, free Wi-Fi and lounge chairs in the private balcony.
Nature Inspired
While you are here, the best thing to do is to soak in the beauty of nature. There are in house naturalists here who recommend guided trekking through the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats. There are two options that you can take one of which is the Balliyatre Ridge a 5.5 hour trek that gives you a view of the highest mountain of Coorg – Thadianda Mol that stands 1750 meters above sea level. The Pathipole Waterfalls trek is a 4.5 hour trek that takes you through breathtaking slopes and lush green valleys. If you want something less adventurous, I suggest you opt for the guided bird watching and you will be rewarded with some great sighting – all round the year. When I was here I was lucky to spot several species like the Blue Capped Rock Thrush, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Scarlet Minivet, Grey Wagtail, Malabar Trogon, Common Emerald Dove, Nilgiri Flycatcher and many more. I also recommend a plantation tour that takes you through coffee, peppercorn and cardamom cultivation, an organic vegetable garden, waste segregation site, and a traditional cowshed or Gaushala. You can pick coffee and also see the entire process of the bean to the brew here and I assure you that this will help you better appreciate the hard work that goes into making that perfect cup of coffee.
Activities Galore
The Tamara is all about wellness and the best way to experience this is to head for yoga sessions at state of art Yoga Temple under the guidance of the resident yoga guru who will take you through a lesson of yogic postures, their meaning and tips on how you can improve your spiritual health. I also suggest a stop at The Elevation Spa an oasis of tranquility and calm where you can experience a rejuvenating massage, scrub or body wrap with locally grown ingredients that will allow you to relax, revitalize and rejuvenate in the lap of nature. The Tamara Coorg also has meeting spaces for corporate events, conferences and workshops and has a large conference hall that can accommodate up to 80 people. If you enjoy swimming, there is both an open air as well as a temperature regulated indoor pool here and the steam and sauna here are also complimentary. The Business Retreat here gives you a chance to explore the artist in you with a painting kit, board games and karaoke. If you love outdoor sports you can indulge with tennis, badminton, cricket and basketball.
Gastronomy Calling
The tariff here includes all meals as well as high tea. All meals are The Falls, the in house multi-cuisine restaurant that offers regional, continental and chef specials in a specially curated a-la-carte menu. If the occupancy is high, there is also a buffet laid out. The Falls has a natural stream that runs underneath and a see-through glass floor in the center that doubles up as a dance floor. With an al fresco dining area, this space has a décor that matches its food. Next to the restaurant is the lounge bar, The Deck that offers premium spirits from several labels and is a great place to chill out with drinks. At The Verandah you have a signature coffee lounge, a bookstore and a gift shop where you can enjoy the ‘blossom to brew’ journey of coffee and also enjoy a perfect cup of coffee while you nibble on snacks. A visit to The Tamara in Coorg is the ideal way to take a break from the monotony of urban life and allows you to reconnect with small things that matter most. Now isn’t that what a holiday should be all about?
Fact File
Address: Kabbinakad Estate, Yavakapadi Village, Napoklu Nad, Madikeri Taluk, Kodagu District – 571212
Reservation Desk Phone: (+91) 080.7107.7700 | (+91).080.2609.0666 |1800120777000
