Windermere Estate
18
Windermere Estate, Munnar, Kerala, India
A charming private plantation
Windermere Estate

There is something about Munnar and the mists. One literally walks in the clouds with views of the mists layering the mountains like a truffle cake. Munnar, so called because three rivers (Moonar) merged here, in South India's largest tea-growing region.  Miles of rolling hills are covered in emerald green tea plantations, contoured, clipped and sculpted like never ending ornamental hedges. There is always a whiff of spices, mostly cardamom, from the spice plantations which hug the roadsides as you drive along on the hill toward Windermere. Once known as the High Range of Travancore, Munnar today is the commercial centre of some of the world’s highest tea-growing estates. Most of the plantations are now operated by Kannan Devan Hills Plantation Company (KDHP), a local cooperative which succeeded the corporate giant Tata Tea in 2005. It takes just over three hours to reach Windermere from Cochin airport.

Perfectly Rare

Windermere Estate oozes charm with a gentle quietness. Add beautiful vistas, especially at sunrise and sunset, and languid days sipping jungle tea for the perfect slow down!

Know Your Host

The resort was conceptualized by Dr. Simon and run with the help of his son John; a member of the family is always in residence. They have a team of people trained over the years who bring to the property a geniality and warmth that is endearing. The service is attentive and subtle, the staff is cheerful...

The Estate is surrounded by large acres of private plantations of coffee and cardamom with beautiful views of high mountains, tea estates and forests. Within the Estate are meticulously tended gardens and a collection of indigenous trees and plants typical to the area. Should you be here in spring, there would be creepers of orange trumpet and bougainvillea in excessive bloom, spreading colour to the accompaniment of chirping and song of hundreds of birds.

Dr. Simon’s Windermere Estate in Munnar is a story to enliven campfire chit-chat in the hills over a glass of heart-warming ‘jungle tea’. Rooms are set in bungalows built like the plantation homes of yore with high gabled roofs, terracotta and wooden floors, sturdy teak furniture and hand embroidered linen. Spacious and lit by natural light, there is a sense of uncluttered style to the rooms. Cottages, garden rooms and plantation villas open out to the beautiful hills and vales and the cool moving mists of this beautiful hill station.

Eighteen rooms at the resort use three different layouts to include a large bedroom with en suite bathroom and a sit-out to take in the extraordinary views of Munnar. The cottages and villas are spread out over four acres of private estate to maximize on the views. Thought they are grouped together, there is no compromise on privacy. Configured as top end plantation villas, mid-range cottages and garden rooms, the resort runs with an easy efficiency, a perfect mix of concept and hospitality perfected over fifteen years. In the cottages or villas, you enter large, warm and friendly spaces that spell uncluttered comfort – water at your side, tea/coffee station, mats to place your feet on, flash lights to assist you and intercom facilities to keep you connected. Super comfortable beds, plump marshmallow white pillows smelling of the sun, pristine duvets and cushions – just the perfect resting place after a day of exploring the Munnar hills. Attached baths with quality toiletries, hot and cold running water, rain showers, and luggage racks, they have thought about everything! One can spend hours sitting out on the terrace or balcony reading, watching the dramatic Munnar sunsets and sublime sunrise, or watch out for birds, if they are an interest. They flock in hundreds within the resort – minivets, oriental white eyes, Malabar whistling thrush, red-cheeked bulbul etc. 

Dining

The cuisine in Windermere is one of the highlights; it a is served in ‘The Barn’. From traditional state cuisine like hoppers, dishes from North India to sandwiches, soups and pastas, the kitchen serves up a multi-course dinner, a simple lunch and a hearty breakfast that includes many locally grown fruits. There is always an array of delicious tea or the promise of aromatic coffee after.

A lounge in the reception block and a library in the same building as The Barn are WiFi enabled and serve as recreational space where guests sit down to read, check their emails or enjoy a drink together. Out in the garden is the ‘the hut’ that serves tea and snacks in the evening. Somewhere in the middle of the resort is a high, rocky cliff which has been barricaded as a vantage point to view Munnar’s spectacular sunsets. Windermere has an organized plantation walk every afternoon, which takes you out to explore the area, the plantations around and also watch out for the birds of the region.

Venture out to visit the Tea Museum, which has painstakingly documented the history of the hills and its tea growing traditions along with equipment used back then. It is just a short drive from Windermere. TATA company established community projects for the benefit of their tea estate workers – DARE has a school, Arana - a natural dyeing unit, a paper making unit, a deli and coffee shop. The Western Ghats are home to a variety of birds and Munnar offers an opportunity to upgrade your bird list. Its high mountains are ideal for treks and mountain biking, which can be organized by the resort on request. You could also trek to Top station and valley, Lakshmi hills and Chokkanadu hills. Among the day long treks is the one to the Meespulliamala peak, which is the second highest peak in the Western Ghats. A couple of interesting drives around Munnar include trips to Chinnar wildlife sanctuary, Teliyar and Kolugumali tea estate.

Perfect For

Windermere Estate is ideal for those looking to be amidst mists and the charm of a mountain. Ideal for families, couples, getaways with friends, groups and even those looking for a long stay, there is plenty to keep one occupied for all age groups. Connoisseurs of tea would particularly enjoy the tea museum.

Operational status
Windermere Estate is open all year.

Windermere Retreats are at unique locations surrounded by abundance of nature that in itself is rejuvenating for guests who visit the properties.  They have consciously chosen to remain small with inventory and building foot print.

No Single Use Plastic: Safe filtered drinking water is provided and although there is some use of plastic bottled water, the used bottles are sent for recycling.

Safe Garbage Disposal: Food waste is sent to the inhouse bio-digester and is converted to biogas and manure for the garden and plantation. A sewage treatment plant treats soiled water, which is then used to water the coffee plants.

Water Conservation: Water is sourced from a natural spring within the property and is used cautiously.

Energy Efficiency: Vernacular architecture has been used, making the buildings airy and bright. The location ensures there is no need for air conditioners or fans.

Nature and Biological Diversity Conservation: Although coffee came in to India in the 17th century, cardamom is indigenous to the Western Ghats. The Estate is a working cardamom and coffee estate and unlike tea, both are grown under large tall tree covers, creating an almost tropical evergreen forest-like setting. Thus the 60 acres of Windermere Estate’s plantation is home to many endemic birds, frogs and even the Malabar giant squirrel. It also has native trees; some are believed to be over 200 years old. The trees are protected by both Windermere and the Forest Department. The Estate is also guided by regulatory uses of pest control for the plantation. Windermere Estate had partnered with an organisation as part of a four year study that conducted conservation and habitation studies related to frogs in the region that ended in 2018. The Estate continues to be a venue for short term studies on the same.

Local Community Engagement:  The staff employed is from the local community and nearby villages, with mostly women employees. Some of the staff have been there from the beginning and have been trained in hospitality as they had no prior experience. Awareness and training programs are regularly held, especially for young adults with the hope of inculcating the responsibility to preserve nature. There is a gentle push toward creating a community between the Estate, the staff and the village to look after one another.

Light Footprint Tourism: Windermere Estate lies atop a hillock. Construction was done with little disturbance to the rock formations and trees, ensuring plenty of open grounds, rock formations and the woods for guests to enjoy. The materials used for building were government auctioned wood, earthy tiles and fabrics from handlooms – all sourced locally.

The ingredients for the meals are sourced locally, seasonally and are based on what is available in their own organic kitchen garden and the market. There is no buffet service and the cuisine served is local and authentic. As it is prepared fresh every day, there is reduction in purchase, storage and wastage of food.

Sensitive Destination Discovery: Windermere has an organized plantation walk every afternoon, which takes you out to explore the area, the plantations around and also watch out for the birds of the region.

Human Touch: They have a team of people trained over the years at the Estate. Most of the staff working at Windermere Estate are women. They have also been hosting training and awareness sessions on nature & culture encouraging young adults to know their lands better and that translates to them feeling responsible to preserve nature.

The RARE Sustainability Quotient is a self-audit tool that is used by our hotel partners to measure, document and assess their planet and people friendly practices and is based on the RARE Touchstones.

No Single Use Plastic Safe Garbage Disposal Water Conservation Energy Efficiency Nature and Biological Diversity Conservation Local Community Engagement Light  Footprint Tourism Sensitive Destination Discovery The Human Touch
RARE Tip
Unwind with a cuppa of ‘Jungle Tea’ whilst watching the fabulous sunsets that Munnar has to offer.
Facilities

Reviews and Location
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Peacefully location in tea and cardamom plantations
by rakehead on 03/27/2024

Stayed 2 nights in the garden room, lovely room but not much view and for the price would have expected a fridge especially as you have to bring your own alcohol. They will keep your drinks in their...

Windermere Estate - Great location in a beautiful area
by Frank C on 03/21/2024

The Munnar area was a highlight of our travels in south India and for us, Windermere Estate was a perfect place to stay in this location. Our hosts, John and Jacob, were welcoming and engaging. Our...

Great location but lacks a few things
by Ridhi S on 03/10/2024

The property boasts an excellent location and a serene ambience, perfect for those seeking a getaway from the crowds. The staff is friendly, and the owner provides personal attention. However, I...

Nearest Airport : Kochi– 110Km
Nearest Railway Station : Alluva - 90Km

Cancellation Policy:
Terms & Conditions:

Reservation of rooms would need to be communicated via email. We request you to reconfirm the booking with an advance payment at least 45 days prior to date of stay, for reservations made less than 30 days payment needs to be realized in 3 working days