In 1989, Kerala gained the nickname 'God’s Own Country', and it is places like Windermere River House and its surrounds that make it incredibly clear why. Located just over an hour from Kochi airport, you take long, winding roads through towering forests which eventually lead to what feels like a secret hideout. This hideout is the second outpost from the family behind famed Windermere Estate in Munnar, but no less special.
What's perhaps most striking though is not the grand house and its five, spacious rooms, but the tropical forests, jungle, and flora in which its situated; verdant greens of every shade, in every direction. Days here are peaceful, with meals taken in the riverside restaurant offering tasty, homely and unfussy food, punctuated with either a nature walk nearby, a visit to a bird sanctuary just a little further away, or a short wander from your room via a majestic walkway of shading banana leaves to the pool and back. It’s wilderness and nature in comfy surrounds. This is an essential stop for anyone looking for a serene break on the long road to Munnar, or in search of somewhere different for a few days languishing beside a beautiful pool.
Windermere River House
River Periyar, Cochin & the Backwaters, India
Highs
- The scenery is stunning; with just the river in front of you and sweeping hills in the distance behind, ensconced in jungle and forests. There's little like it in the area
- The pool is divine; you can easily (and we did) spend hours there
- The staff are wonderful; attentive to every need with only five rooms to cater to, and very flexible depending on your interests
- The food was delicious: unfussy and full of flavour
Lows
- There’s no bar on site, but you’re more than welcome to bring your own alcohol
- There are a tricky set of steps and a long, uneven pathway between the buildings and pool; challenging for those with mobility issues
- Although comfortable, the property isn’t lavish; we found luxury in the surroundings and serenity, rather than in its fixtures and fittings
- You’re well and truly in nature, so expect bugs and insects
Best time to go
Our top tips
Join one of Windermere River House's nature tours as the heat of the day dissipates and as the skies transform from blue into dusky, golden hues. Ask the guide to tailor the tour to your interests. We encountered innumerable new species of flora and fauna through the knowledgeable resident naturalist’s tour.
- Boutique Hotel
- 5 rooms
- Restaurant (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
Four of the five rooms are almost identical, with sweeping views over the hotel’s vibrant, jungled gardens. There are two rooms on the upper floor with balconies and two on the ground floor with verandas. There’s also a larger room at the back over two floors, which misses out on the views but has a living space; ideal for families as the living space can become a bedroom.
We stayed in one of the upstairs rooms and loved the sense of elevation over the grounds. The rooms are light and spacious, with double or twin beds, a writing desk, and finished sensitively with textiles from North-Keralan fair handloom artisans. Warmth comes from terracotta tile floors, which lead out through glass doors to glorious views. Bathrooms are large with colourful tiling, basic toiletries, and a cupboard at one end for clothes storage.
Rooms also have basic amenities; a kettle and fridge, with tea and coffee from nearby plantations.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Coffee / tea making
- Fan
- Minibar
- Safe box
- Terrace/balcony
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
Dining at Windermere River House is a homely affair with the chef creating South Indian specialties and lighter takes on North Indian classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant is on a charming, open-sided terrace with prime position overlooking the pool and river. Windermere’s philosophy of buying produce and ingredients ‘for today and tomorrow’ means there’s not a menu in sight. Instead, a conversation with the chef on your likes serves as a guide for what arrives on your plate.
Breakfasts are simple, with eggs offered any-style alongside a daily Indian special; puri, samba, upma, or iddli. Lunches and dinners definitely stole the show, with myriad curries, pulses, rices, chapatis, and desserts served at both. Our favourites included the Keralan beef fry with karripatta (fresh curry leaves), a Keralan take on a mixed vegetable kurma, as well as an incredibly moreish cardamon pannacotta. Fish is fresh, from the river in front, and herbs and spices are from plantations nearby.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Lunch by arrangement
- Vegan options
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Windermere River House organises a guided nature walk in either the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler. Stoll though the property’s lush vegetation and surrounding area, exploring its many trees, plants, and myriad species
- Get out and about on River House's complimentary bikes and cycle up to the famous swinging bridge from stretching views of the river and landscape
- Wander into the nearby village of Inchahotty, and experience a little more of peaceful, everyday, Keralan life
- Ask the team to organise a yoga session, boat ride, or kayak trip
- A little further afield is the Idukki wildlife sanctuary – part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Spy elephants, bison, deer and wild dogs, and if you’re very lucky you may spot a tiger, of which there are just 40. If you're still keen for nature, Thattekad bird sanctuary is also nearby
- While away an afternoon (or two) by the stunning pool, looking out over the Periyar River
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Cycling
- Kayaking
- Plantlife / flora
- Traditional cultures
- Wildlife
- Yoga
Kids
Although most welcome, there’s not a huge amount on site for children save the pool, but there's plenty of nature, if that’s their thing. We suggest older kids would benefit the most from staying here, but all kids up to 6 stay for free.
Family friendly accommodation:
All rooms have space for one extra child so if you're a family of four you'll need to book two rooms together. One of the rooms has a living room, which can be converted into a second bedroom for a child if you need additional space, note that all rooms are in the main house and close to each other.
Extra Beds Available
Distances:
- Airport: 1hr35m
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Windermere River House is set on the banks of the Periyar River in Kerala’s inland region, Inchatotty, surrounded by sprawling forests, half-way between Kochi International Airport and Munnar.
By Air:
Flights to Kochi depart around the clock from Mumbai and Delhi, but from UK require a connection via one of the aforementioned airports, or via Qatar, Dubai etc.
By Car:
It's a 1hr 15m minute drive east from Fort Kochi and Kochi International Airport – the hotel can arrange a transfer – and 1hr 40m west of popular Munnar.
By Train:
Aluva Station is around 90 minutes away. Staff can arrange a transfer from the station.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Kochi International Airport 56.0 km COK
Other:
- Beach 85.0 km
- Shops 5.0 km
- Restaurant 5.0 km
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Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests