Neeleshwar Hermitage is a luxury resort, set among a tropical parkland of palms and shrubs, along a 14-mile stretch of unspoiled beach in northern Kerala. Co-created by the Sanskrit scholar Alistair Shearer, it was built in accordance with the architectural principles of Kerala Vastu; oriented to the east towards the rising sun, while its component buildings are spread out in the four directions that would create and greatly enhance a sense of enjoyment and well-being for its resident guests.
Swathed by natural beauty of its surroundings Neeleshwar Hermitage offers eighteen thatch-roof cottages fronting the Arabian Sea. The open-sided detached pavilions have their own private courtyard garden, spacious veranda and bathrooms with partial outdoor showers. Inside, the cottages' cool interiors, the décor is modern Indian, with images of dancing gods, teak floors and plush beds. Dining options include two gourmet restaurants focussing on traditional cuisine.
The five-star Ayurvedic Spa at the Neeleshwar Hermitage uses organic products for its therapies. There are yoga and meditation classes as well as a swimming pool for relaxation. The highlight is the resorts own luxury, ‘Lotus’ houseboat that can be hired to explore its unexploited, tranquil and traffic-free backwater. In the surrounds are local villages that can be visited on a bike. Further afield is the 300-year-old Bekal Fort and wetlands where you can watch rich birdlife.
Amenities
Bar/PubCoffee ShopConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableDisabled FacilitiesGardenLibraryMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaStay Neeleshwar Hermitage features just 18 detached cottages. All the cottages are rustic in style, built from local laterite stone and topped with tile or thatch roofs and designed on traditional fisherman's huts. Inside, there are teak floors and intricately carved woodwork, with handmade furniture and contemporary works of art by local artists. The stylish en-suite bathrooms, each with a private garden courtyard, are a real highlight. There are two cottages with a private pool.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Neeleshwar Hermitage. The garden view cottages are perfect for families or groups who want to stay together. Although this hotel is aimed more at adults, (well-behaved) kids are welcome and an extra bed is available per cottage. Older children will however enjoy the many cultural activities in the area including wildlife tours to see the Olive Ridley turtles and the abundant birdlife. There are no childminding services or other facilities for kids.
Dine There are two restaurants at the Neeleshwar Hermitage. Annapurna restaurant, built like a temple serves predominantly vegetarian menu subtlety influenced by Ayurvedic principles. Overlooking the beach is the charming fish restaurant, Meenakshi, which serves freshly-caught fish and other dishes. Breakfast is both Indian and Western style and can be ordered a la carte, lunches are light cold salads and soups while candle-lit dinners are a gourmet affair with a feast of seafood.
Relax Facilities at the hotel include Priya Ayurvedic Spa with 5 treatments rooms offering traditional massages, purification regimes, facial and beauty treatments, using natural, organically produced and sourced products. There is also a large swimming pool and sundeck, surrounded by coconut palms and facilities for meditation and yoga.
Experience Nileshwar in northern Kerala offers an interesting mix of beach, plantations and backwaters. In the north is a 300-year-old Bekal Fort with soaring observation towers, surrounded by a wonderful beach and stunning views of the Arabian Sea. Around the Neeleshwar Hermitage resort are villages, shrines and temples explored on foot or bike. Nature enthusiasts can visit the nearby wetlands to see a variety of resident birds or take the houseboat through its secluded backwaters.
Location Neeleshwar Hermitage is set on an unspoilt beach in northern Kerala - a region traditionally known as Malabar - about 25km south of the town of Kasaragod.
Getting there Mangalore (95km away) or Calicut (170km away) are the closest airports. Neeleshwar Hermitage is a 2-hour and 5-hour drive respectively.
When to go Isolated from much of India by the Western Ghats, the climate of Kerala & Karnataka is tropical. The best time to visit is from January through to April. Summer is hot and humid; the monsoon season arrives in early June and lasts till August. While September can be dry and humid. There can be a little rain in October and November, cooling off around December and lasting until February.
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