Head to the backwaters of Alleppey, into this verdant retreat that’s pure renewal.
I’d been warned against visiting Kerala in the wet season, with dire predictions of being forced indoors by the rain, but I ignored the naysayers and am I glad I did.
Vasundhara Sarovar is situated on the Vayalar backwaters, with 60 rooms, all with views of lush, landscaped gardens and the serene river. If you’re partial to staying put on hotel grounds, or just looking to vegetate for the duration of your stay, you won’t get any guilt from us, and Vasundhara makes it very easy to stay put. There’s a bar, a coffee shop, a tea kiosk that serves fresh-baked cookies to accompany your sunset cuppa, and Chemeen, a seafood restaurant with traditional Keralan fare.
The rooms are great, and if you’re able to, get the floating cottage which stars all the amenities and then some: mine included a gorgeous indoor jacuzzi that overlooked the swimming pool on one end and the backwaters on the other. Spend your days reading and catching up on your sleep, only breaking for meals and perhaps the odd foray to the spa. Spread over 5000 square feet, there’s more than enough on offer to keep you occupied for days and their massage therapists are skilled in Ayurvedic, Balinese and other therapies. I tried the Udvarthanam ritual, fusing an oil massage with dry exfoliation for lymphatic drainage, and left feeling lean and taut, even with all that eating.
Gymrats, don’t panic. There is a gym that’s open around the clock, especially for fitness enthusiasts just like you. And if you’re entirely recharged and ready to come out of hibernation, you can rent a bike for the day and pop across to the Kumarakom Lake Resort for tea, followed by a trip to the bird sanctuary next door.
About 60 kilometres away from Kochi airport, Vasundhara is super-easy to get to, and with lovely, attentive staff who welcome you in, you may never want to leave.

This article was originally printed for The India Tube