Windermere Estate

Press Reviews

Fodor's
"Plantation life can be pretty darn good, especially when you're not working in the fields and are instead made to feel like the guest of a planter. Guest quarters on this working cardamom, coffee, and vanilla plantation 5 km (2 mi) from Munnar are either in one of the five bedrooms of the main guesthouse, which has a communal balcony, or in an individual cottage. The hillside views are stunning, and the grounds are blessed with several streams and waterfalls, making for enchanting morning walks. Pros: service is warm and personalized. Cons: basic amenities, no bar."

Alastair Sawday's Special Places to Stay
"Cool relief from the heat and stickiness of the coast, here in Munnar. Sprays of bougainvillea and morning glory cover the garden walls of this stunning spot, perched above miles of steep-sided tea estates and wooded slopes. It is green beyond imagination and as colourful as a Devonshire spring garden. The stable-like buildings are not particularly well soundproofed but perfectly comfortable, the cheaper rooms are being done up and the new planters' villas are generous with their space. Splash out on a room with a dreamy view. There is a long shaded terrace with wicker chairs and bicycles to borrow. You might find an embroidered alpine milkmaid watching you from the dining room wall, but the setting is stunning, the tranquillity total and the early morning or evening guided walk through the plantation takes you into a world of birdsong and arboreal paradise; return to tea and cakes. The trees are vast buttressed giants that play host to hundreds of species of birds and wild bee colonies, beneath which sprout the jungle-like plants. Breakfasts are good but evening meals are aimed at mild European palates."

The Independent, January 2006
"Onwards and upwards to the Western Ghats range of mountains. About five hours' drive north of Kanam, the slopes around the little town of Munnar are coated in tea. At an altitude of 5,000ft and more, the area also offers conditions in which many of Kerala's spices thrive. In the midst of the trim tea plantations is a 66-acre cardamom estate on which the owner has lovingly developed a wonderfully comfortable hotel with stunning views. The 15 rooms at the Windermere Estate are in chalet-style buildings gently suffused with the scent of cardamom, which is processed in nearby drying chambers. A new central dining area was being completed when we were there, with a separate kitchen where, due to popular demand, cookery demonstrations take place."

Guest Reviews

Reviews are only from people who have stayed there and booked through i-escape.

• “The staff were all marvelous. The restaurant was charming with attentive but not intrusive service. The food was excellent and suited each member of our group.
  We went for several walks in the surrounding area -good for birds.
  It was not obvious whether to tip the staff, so we did not, but then we could not see a box for tips for staff for when we left, so we felt a bit embarrassed for not appearing to reward such a fantastic team of staff.
  We would certainly recommend Windemere Estate to everyone.”
  PETER, United Kingdom (03.12.09)