Kahani Paradise

Rooms

There are just six sumptuous suites at Kahani Paradise: exceptionally comfortable and impeccably curated spaces, melding traditional Indian textiles with sleek modern design. Each has huge antique doors (which the owner has collected over a lifetime), gigantic beds and an abundance of pillows: relaxation is paramount here.

Restored headboards sit side by side with contemporary lamps and wooden sculptures: you could almost be in a design museum. In the enormous bathrooms, granite floors give way to deluging rainfall showers, with a plentiful supply of Ayca's all natural skin care.

Each suite is slightly different, though the aesthetic is shared. We stayed in the Suite with Sea View, whose expansive all-black bathroom contrasted with the soft hues of the bedroom. We loved waking up and slipping through sliding doors to the patio to greet the waking jungle. The King Suite enjoys the most majestic views at the top of the house, but unless you're on honeymoon we're not sure it warrants the extra dosh.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Fresh fish, local vegetables and tropical fruit – all prepared on site to traditional Indian recipes – are the order of the day at Kahani Paradise. Everything we ate came from the in-house kitchen, and food was served at a never-ending Balinese table, carved out of a single tree, with incredible views of land and sea. You can choose to eat anywhere around the property – we ate outside our room for lunch one day, and also dined by the hill top hideout.

Wander down to the kitchen's terrace for breakfast of fresh coffee, freshly squeezed juices and a range of Indian or international dishes: maybe masala dosa (rice and lentil crepe) stuffed with silky sambar, or eggs any way you want them. For lunch and dinner (on request), the team do Indian fare particularly well: the prawn curry and fluffy appams (Iight Indian pancakes) are among the best we've had in Southern India.

One evening we had dinner outside our room on a candlelit terrace, which was magical – so do ask if you're looking for something even more special. A good range of wine, beers and spirits is available.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Dinner by arrangement
• In-house cook
• Lunch by arrangement
• Room service

Activities

• Walk down the jungle path to Paradise Beach (10 mins) for secluded swims – with only dolphins for company, if you’re lucky
  
• Take a boat one morning with friendly fishermen to explore the peninsula’s craggy seascape, from hidden coves to red-sand beaches
  
• Jump in a rickshaw to Gokarna, where saltwater hippies line beaches and hawkers share the street with sadhus en route to temples: there are a few hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and Thursdays are your chance to haggle at the market
  
• Better still, hire one of Kahani's two classic Royal Enfield motorcycles or the restored vintage Mahindra Thar Jeep and cruise around the surrounding countryside
  
• Back at Kahani, wander around the estate’s beautifully-landscaped 20-acre gardens: awash with tropical flora and fauna, it's a curator’s dream
  
• Book a massage on the lower terrace or in your suite (24-48hrs notice required), or a private yoga class overlooking the bay (the vista is hard to beat!)
  
• Play croquet on the lawn, plus there's a top notch tennis court as well as a badminton court. There's also a luxurious cinema room
  
• Take a walk through the grounds down to the local village to watch locals playing cricket on the beach (in the evening) and to the lighthouse. We recommend going with one of the team as it's easier than you think to get lost

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Badminton
• Croquet
• Historical sites
• Plantlife / flora
• Shopping / markets
• Tennis
• Well being
• Yoga

Kids

Although all ages are welcome, we don’t think Kahani Paradise is the best spot for younger children. Savour the space, peace and quiet and bring them along when they’re a little older. Open-minded teens will enjoy the beach shacks and boat trips, the bustle of Gokarna town, and of course the hotel's pool.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Each of the six suites can take an extra bed.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Kahani Paradise is in Karnataka state, around 15-20 minutes drive (along a bumpy track) from Gokarna town.

By Air:
Fly into Goa Dabolim (150km / 3.5 hours' drive), or alternately into Mangalore (4.5 hours' drive).

By Train:
The nearest train stations are Gokarna Road (25 mins' drive) and Kumta (50 mins).

Kahani Paradise is happy to organise transfers from the airport, or to arrange a local pickup for those taking the train. Helicopter transfers straight to the property can also be arranged.