Rajakkad Estate is a small, boutique hotel, set in the foothills of the Western Ghats in Tamili Nadu, near Dindigul. Nestled in the lush forests and coffee estates of the Palani Hills, it offers a beautiful rural option for those seeking peace and tranquillity. Once owned by the Travancore royal family, this 18th-century villa was dismantled from its original location on the Kerala backwaters and painstakingly reassembled amongst the magnificent scenery of the Rajakkad Estate.
Set within a working plantation at 1,000-metres above sea level, Rajakkad Estate offers just seven spacious suites. Each are housed in a wooden structure that encircles a quaint courtyard, and open onto the luscious and wild gardens. Inside, rooms are decorated with original antiques as well as contemporary furnishings, that expertly combines simplicity with comfort. The inhouse restaurant serves gourmet traditional cuisine prepared with fresh locally sourced ingredients.
Nature is at the very core of the hotel, and much care has been taken to keep the surroundings in complete harmony. Rajakkad Estate offers guided nature walks and birdwatching tours into the surrounding forest. Guests can also visit nearby coffee plantation and learn about the coffee-making process. Day trips can be organised to visit Madurai known for its Menakshi temple. Back at the hotel there is a swimming pool, complimentary yoga classes and plenty of hammocks to relax.
Amenities
Bar/PubCoffee ShopConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableGardenMultilingual StaffRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesStay Rajakkad Estate features just seven spacious suites. The characterful rooms are set around a shaded courtyard, each with access to the rose-filled garden. Inside, the décor is minimalistic and authentic; wooden interior with black oxide flooring and whitewashed walls. The furniture is a mix of local traditional style and modern but the carpets have been brought in from Samarkand. Plush beds are draped in fine linen and ensuite shower bathrooms have cotton bathrobes.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Rajakkad Estate but there are no specific facilities available for children. One child can be accommodated in parent's room for an extra charge.
Dine The inhouse restaurant at the Rajakkad Estate specialises in delicious southern Indian and Mediterranean cuisine, mainly using fresh ingredients sourced from their in-house organic farm and served either on the shaded terrace or in the dining room. Breakfast is either continental or Indian. Light lunches & snacks are served at mid-day. The dinner menu changes daily with a starter, main course and dessert. All meals are included in your stay.
Relax Guests at Rajakkad Estate can join complimentary yoga sessions each morning to help you start your day. Yoga guru, Hortario Perez can tailor make extra sessions to compliment your needs. Rajakkad is a place to immerse yourself in nature, to relax in a hammock or the gardens with a book from the in-house library, which has an extensive collection. The evenings here are best spent in the swimming pool with a sundowner.
Experience Situated in the Palani Hills, Rajakkad has hiking trails in the surrounding forest, home to wildlife such as monkeys, giant squirrels and bison. Take a guided nature walk and learn about the local fruits trees and local spices. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting migratory and indigenous birds including Golden Oriole, Fairy Bluebirds and Kingfishers. Day trips can be arranged to visit the awesome Menakshi temple complex in Madurai, one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India.
Location Rajakkad Estate is situated in Central Tamil Nadu's Dindigul's district in South India, in the forests of Palani Hills, surrounded by coffee estates easily accessed by road or by air.
Getting there Fly into Chennai International Airport, followed by a domestic flight to Madurai or Trichy. From there, Rajakkad Estate is a two or three hour drive.
When to go The climate in southern India shows only slight seasonal variations. Temperatures and humidity remain relatively high all year round. Rainfall is common at any time of the year and the Monsoon Season has only marginally more precipitation than at any other time.
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