Connecting with Nature at Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

Connecting with Nature at Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady
Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

Carmelia Haven Resort

Resort Review: Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady, Kerala

Nature literally surrounds and serenades you at every step that you take in the southern Indian state of Kerala. After indulging our senses in the dreamy experience of a luxury houseboat cruise in Alleppey we made our way across the magical countryside of Kerala to Thekkady. Our destination was the Carmelia Haven Resort in Thekkady – a plantation resort and spa at Vandanmedu, Idukki, Thekkady. One of the premium luxury resorts in Thekkady has won an award in the prestigious SATA (South Asian Travel Awards), 2017.

The drive from Alleppey to Thekkady was sheer bliss. Coconut palms swayed in unison as rubber trees nodded in tandem, beautiful churches rose to the sky in benediction and quaint temples struck a chord of harmony with regal mosques.

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

Our car took a sharp turn and rounded a bend in the road as we entered Carmelia Haven Resort in Thekkady. As we got down and looked around us, the sprawling property in the midst of cardamom and tea plantations looked pregnant with the promise of great times. At first glance, the Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady indeed looked like a slice of heaven with its serene natural beauty and a heady fragrance of natural herbs and spices that lingered tantalizingly in the air.

An Overview of the Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

We are the kind who loves to get away from the cacophony of cities into the serene calm of nature. As we drove into the premises of Carmelia Haven Resorts Thekkady, a familiar calm and tranquillity descended on us as we were welcomed by the melody of an avian orchestra.

Carmelia Haven Resorts Thekkady

The Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady sprawls over 55 acres and is nestled in the midst of cardamom and tea plantations. In addition, the property is embellished by other exotic vegetation that includes spices like Pepper, Nutmeg, Clove, Cinnamon. Birds revel amidst fruit-bearing trees like Jackfruit, Guava, Butterfruit, Apple, and many others. Vegetable farms provide fodder for the kitchen that whips up some amazing, fresh, and organic food. The best thing about Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady is the fact that each structure in the property blends seamlessly with the natural environment around it, be the reception area, the cottages, the restaurant, or spa, everything seems to be in harmony with its surroundings.

Connecting with Nature at Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

In fact, the pathways are lit up by lights housed in lanterns and give an old-world charm to the ambience.

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

The resort draws heavily from the ancient heritage and culture of Kerala in its decor and functioning, this is amply reflected in its food, spa, and general ambiance.

Accommodation at Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady A home in the midst of nature

The Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady has a range of accommodation options to choose from and each one seems to guaranteed a communion with nature.

Carmela Haven Deluxe Cottage – Room with a window to nature

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

We stayed in a Deluxe cottage which is a twin storied unit. Each unit has a room on the ground floor and one on the first floor. The first floor has a balcony while the ground floor room has a sit out. The cottage set amidst trees overlooked the pool which nestled in the midst of a valley.

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady
PC: Carmelia Haven

The room was very spacious and was equipped with a double bed, television, and coffee maker. The bathroom too was very spacious and what was really delightful was the presence of an open, outdoor shower. Taking a shower, looking up at the green trees and listening to the songs of exotic birds is an experience in itself. The cottages would definitely rank among Kerala’s top cottages.

Carmelia Haven Tree House – Your own nest perched in the trees

Carmelia haven resort thekkady

If you fancy living like a bird high up in the trees, then the treehouse is just for you.

Carmelia Haven resort Thekkady

The treehouse is furnished with all luxurious and modern amenities like any other of the rooms in Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady. It is sure to give a run for being  Kerala’s best treehouse.

Carmelia Haven Jacuzzi Villa – Exclusivity amidst nature

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady
PC: Carmelia Haven

The villas promise an experience of luxury and indulgence in style. A private garden, verandah, and jacuzzi is surely the stuff that dreams are made of.

The Restaurant and the Food

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

The restaurant is named Kolumban after a chieftain of a tribe called Malaya Araya which inhabited the region. again the restaurant is a picture of serenity engulfed by greenery on all sides. It is tastefully furnished and offers multi cuisines with a choice of Indian and continental dishes.

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

Of course for any traveler worth their salt partaking off the local cuisine is a must and the restaurant serves some authentic Kerala dishes, recipes of which have been handed down from generation to generation. We were treated to a feast called Sadhya which is a traditional vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf.

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady, Kerala -The Ayurvedic Spa

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady
PC: Carmelia Haven

Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine, knowledge of which is believed to have been transferred from the Gods to sages is widely known and accepted across the world today. The holistic approach to healing is what sets apart Ayurveda from other branches of medicine. Rithgeham is the Ayurvedic Spa at Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady that offers multiple therapies derived from the best of the principles of Ayurveda. These include Panchkarma, Stress Management, Anti-Obesity programmes, programmes for beauty and eye care. There is also available in the resort a qualified Ayurvedic Doctor for consultation and guidance.

Activities & Facilities

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

Though the Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady is a place that will cast a spell on you and leave you intoxicated with the beauty of nature, there are available a host of activities that can be pursued. This includes a swim in a beautiful pool nestled amidst verdant greenery, a game of basketball or tennis, a game of Carrom, darts, snooker or Foosball.

Carmelia Haven Resort

One can also take off on an exploratory tour of the plantations or embark on an adventurous and thrilling off-roading jeep experience organized by the resort.

Farm to Table – Harvesting the bounty of Nature

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

Given the fact that the  Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady is so one with nature, it was no surprise to find that most if not all of the vegetables required for the kitchens were grown within the resort. We had a great time accompanying the Chef and his team and helping them pick fresh vegetables that included beans, eggplants, tapioca, pepper, ladies finger and other vegetables. This was followed by the cooking of a traditional Kerala vegetarian curry called Kootu Curry, in the open. It was great fun and a learning experience as we helped the chef with the preparation.

Later on, as the shadows lengthened and the light faded a bonfire and a barbecue heated up the proceedings as we had a dinner beneath the stars.

The Service

Connecting with Nature at Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

We found the staff of Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady smiling and always ready to help. They made us feel at home and we actually felt that we were at a home away from home.

The Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady is a winner of the 2017 SATA awards

Listen to Mr. Jiju James, General Manager(Operations) of Carmelia Haven talk about the resort:

Carmelia Haven- A Pristine Resort in Thekkady, Kerala

Carmelia Haven Resort is a luxury getaway located in the lap of nature in Thekkady. It is spread over 55 acres in the midst of cardamom and tea plantations a…

Our Experience and Recommendation

We had a very nice experience at the Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady and would love to head back again someday. The place is an enchanting resort in Kerala. The sheer natural beauty of the place and its blissful environs are like a balm on the frayed nerves of city dwellers. We found our stay there very relaxing and rejuvenating. The stay at Carmelia Haven was a different experience from our previous experiences of the beautiful beaches and backwaters of Kerala as this was a revelation of another beautiful facet of the natural beauty of the state. We can still hear the sound of the Whistling Malabar Thrush whose tuneless whistle used to be our wake-up alarm when we were there.

How To Get To Thekkady

carmelia haven resort

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

  • Madurai’s domestic airport is about 147 kilometers and the Cochin international airport is about 124 kilometers from Thekkady
  • Kottayam railway station is about 114 kilometers and many buses ply from Kochi and Trivandrum.

If you are planning a trip to Thekkady in Kerala, India then you can book a cheap flight through TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline right here. You can fly to Kochi and then from there you can travel to Thekkady by road. Some of the options to reach Thekkady could be by self-drive car or cab or bus.

Book your stay at Carmelia Haven The Plantation Resorts, Thekkady

To know about the Carmelia Haven Tariff and book your stay at Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady or any other hotel or resort you can conveniently book through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline and get good deals on your accommodation.

The Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady is ideal if you are looking for a blissful place where you can renew your bond with nature in serene environs.

We were hosted by Carmelia Haven – Plantation Resort and Spa at Vandanmedu, Idukki, Thekkady. However, the views and opinions expressed here are our own based on our experience at Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady.  

 


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Connecting with Nature at Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady

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71 thoughts on “Connecting with Nature at Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady”

  1. I agree with you. South India is more connected to nature. The property looks lovely. Tree house attracts me the most. I love Sadhya. Everytime I am in Kerala, I make sure I have I at least once. It’s amazing that guests can have a private garden, verandah, and Jacuzzi. What more does one need?

  2. What a great resort to get away and relax. I found myself relaxing while looking at the photos. I need a vacation and this resort would be a wonderful place to visit.

  3. This place looks amazing! I have always wanted to try a Ayurveda, I was supposed to be in Kerala last January but missed my train. The tree house is where you would find me. Great place!

  4. We always like to go someplace where we can get outside and enjoy nature. Looks like they have several different choices of interesting places to stay in.

  5. This sounds like the ultimate retreat or getaway The Ayurvedic Spa looks incredible. It is so interesting that the vegetables that they use are grown in the garden. Hope I can get to this resort one day 😀

  6. The treehouse looks amazing! I would want to stay there! Also, this seems like the perfect place to just relax and enjoy the gorgeous surrounding area. I want to hit up that spa so bad!

  7. I honestly wouldn’t be able to choose a type of room. They are all unique and have their own charm to it. I have never stayed in a tree house and think that would be my first choice. I just need to make sure I bring heavy luggage since it will be a challenge to bring it up the staircase 🙂

  8. I have never been to a resort anything like these. I can only imagine how relaxing this was. I have trouble sleeping, but I bet I would sleep well there.

  9. The Carmela Haven Resort sounds delicious! The scents of cardamom and teas have my interest piqued. And the 55 acres of serenity are enticing! Sounds like a place I would love.

  10. I’m dying to go to Kerala and I’m hoping to go next year. This place looks incredible and I’m bookmarking it for when I start planning my trip in the new year. Thanks for sharing!

  11. This resort looks unreal. I love when places just blend with the nature around them. I would want to stay in the tree house! It looks amazing! I love that they have plenty of activities as well!

  12. Carmelia Haven Resort seems like a perfect place! I love this stylish rooms, nice decor, private pool and wow that tree house! That would be such a cool place to spend a night! Looks like an amazing place if you looking for few days of relaxing!

  13. It all looks amazing, but I think my favourite would be the tree house, I have always wanted to spend a night amid the trees and nature. I love that they grow most of their vegetables on site; it doesn’t get much fresher than that!

  14. The Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady looks absolutely STUNNING! I love all of the beautiful exotic greenery that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of the jungle!

  15. Looks like a great place to spend a weekend. The orchard and gardens look quite inviting and there is enough to do there with those activities. The rooms seem cosy enough and I sure would not mind a private jacuzzi. Cheers

  16. Just a perfect spot to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life into the serene calm of nature.
    Our minds could be totally refreshed after spending weekends here. Thanks for recommending.

  17. Followingtherivera

    This really looks like my kind of place! I’ve never been to India, so if I do, the Carmelia Haven Resort is where I’ll be heading. The accommodation is stunning and so chic too!

  18. I would love to visit and book a stay in one of those villas! I like the one with a private garden and jacuzzi. How luxurious that would be! Thanks for sharing photos of this wonderful resort!

  19. The treehouse looks lovely, that would be my choice of a room. I love the surroundings of this resort and I can imagine that staying here can be so relaxing due to no other noises than the sounds of nature.

  20. I could picturise the coconut trees swaying and the rubber trees giving you company! A resort admins plantations is WOWSOME! The place looks so serene and endowed with natural beauty! So many spices and vegetation! What a treat for a nature lover! I would gladly choose the tree house room! Straight out of a story book! It is so good to see that the restraurant is named after a tribal chief and the restaurant believes in using their own plantation! A very well written review! 🙂

  21. What a lovely resort and I like the variety of accommodations. I’d be up for the treehouse! And, I’d want to pick vegetables with the chef too, and learn about them – what a great experience!

  22. The experiences you have and the service you receive while at a resort of this caliber set it apart from other resorts. Don’t get me wrong, the beauty of the surroundings and blending with nature are very important to us when selecting somewhere to stay but the experiences we have while at the resort set it apart.

  23. Nestled in the middle of tea and cardamon plantations, has tree houses and an Ayurvedic spa, I am sold! I am planning a 10-day Kerala trip next year and Thekkady is definitely a part of the list of places we will visit. This resort looks the perfect kind of place I’d like to experience, thanks for the suggestion!

  24. Kerala is one of the places in India I have not yet visited and am keen to do so. Carmelia Haven sounds like a good choice, to see both plantation scenery and have a luxurious spa resort. I love those tree houses but oh my the villas with private jacuzzi!

  25. We loved our visit to Thekkady – beautiful corner of India for sure. The Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady looks great. Especially like tree house accommodation that is available and would be up for the off-road Jee adventure. Thanks for sharing.

  26. We visited Thekkady earlier this year on a trip through beautiful Kerala. The Carmelia Haven Resort Thekkady looks like a great place to stay after the houseboat experience. We tend to book the rooms with the private plunge pools – looks lovely for our next trip. 🙂

  27. I would have such a hard time choosing my accommodation. I absolutely love the idea of staying in a treehouse, just because it would fulfill a childhood dream! However, that Carmelia Haven Jacuzzi Villa looked pretty relaxing too…

  28. The drive from Alleppey to Thekkady would be fantastic. Carmelia Haven looks like a pretty resort with tranquility written all over it. I love accommodations which offer a chance to connect with nature.

  29. Carmelia Haven Resort in Thekkady sounds wonderful! I also love to escape city life, so the calm and tranquility sound like bliss! 55 acres over cardamom and tea plantations sounds like pure heaven – I love that they have created the resort to be in touch with it’s surroundings, and that they draw from Kerala’s culture and heritage.

    The villas look extravagant, but I don’t think I would be able to pass up the opportunitiy to stay in Carmelia Haven Tree House !!

  30. This resort looks amazing, tranquil and relaxing. I would love to stay in the treehouse, I definitely wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to do that! I think it is important to escape the city life from time to time and go to places like this!

  31. Your post brought back memories of my visit to Ooty and Coonoor. The western ghats are sure to cast a spell on the visitors and there is no escaping a 2nd visit and many more to follow. The Carmelia haven looks so luxurious and yet so connected to nature- just the right blend of both. I shall note this resort on my list and would definitely stay there when I visit Thekkady next.

  32. You wrapped me into your story and blissful experience. Love how everything works in harmony with nature. The spa is the a wonderful retreat and the tree house is so much fun. What a wonderful stay!

  33. Its the strangest thing – I have been looking at all things in Kerala recently!! Lucky I found this post. This hotel looks awesome – I especially love the tea plantation and the tree house!!

  34. Ohh I have stayed here and it was absolutely beautiful! I wish I got one of the massages when I was in India but I wasn’t brave enough. I really miss the food in Kerala, especially trying all of the different curries on the banana leaf.

  35. The resort sounds delightful. I would have to stay in the tree house. I can only imagine the serenity being surrounded by acres of nature and the smell of spices. It must have been fun to go out with the chef to pick the spices and vegetables for the meals. It sounds like a little slice of heaven.

  36. We’ve heard great things about this region of India, its so tropical and lush. Its great to know that there is such a wonderful place to stay here too.

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