Marari Beach Resort, Kerala

Many hotels attempt to lure in visitors with impressive facilities or an exhaustive list of activities for guests to get involved in. Marari is the opposite, preaching an eco-sensitive philosophy of gentle, placid insouciance here you can simply enjoy your beautiful surroundings.

Location

The location for this oasis of calm is a 55-acre coconut grove running along a strip of Keralan shoreline, sandwiched between the beautiful beaches of the Malabar Coast and the brackish backwaters home to the region’s famous houseboats. Up the coast to the north is the city of Kochi (Cochin), a thriving metropolis, fishing port and a centre of the spice trade since the 14th century.

Accommodation

The rooms at Marari are distributed around the grounds, maximising privacy and tranquility. The design focuses on natural, local and sustainable materials – although that certainly doesn’t mean the rooms are sparse or uncomfortable. Pool Villas and Deluxe Pool Villas add a private swimming pool to the verandas available at all the resort’s cottages.

Dining

With an eco-friendly focus, dining in the romantically-lit Chakara restaurant is all about fresh, organic and locally-sourced produce. This is exemplified by the signature fish curries cooked at the resort with seafood caught metres away, greens grown in the resort’s organic garden, and coconut from the surrounding trees, all combined with an aromatic array of spices. Drinks are served alfresco at the Palm Bar on the beach, best enjoyed under moonlight as the sea laps gently against the shore.

Facilities

Facilities here come in the form of relaxing activities, principally to improve your sense of well-being. Yoga sessions are run regularly, and the Ayurvedic centre allows you to immerse yourself in a full course of therapy. Physical wellness is catered for as much as spiritual, with tennis courts and a large pool available for exercise, while handicrafts from the local community are on sale at the gift shop. Your can also enjoy the resort’s own butterfly garden, and take a stroll around the neighbouring village and watch local craftsmen twisting coir into ropes, bags, sandals and a hundred other items.