The Serai Chikmagalur

Kerala & South India

Rating: Deluxe

highlights

Private villas with pool or jacuzzi
Tour the coffee plantation and sample the end product
Range of sports facilities
Relax with a spa treatment
Explore by bike and on foot

The Serai Chikmagalur overview

The Serai Chikmagalur is a stylish modern hotel in the tranquil surroundings of a large coffee plantation. Villas provide luxurious self-contained accommodation with a private pool or jacuzzi, and the hotel's facilities include an inviting outdoor swimming pool, spa and restaurant. You are welcome to take a tour of the plantation with a guide, and to learn about coffee cultivation and production, culminating in a tasting. Outdoor pursuits are to the fore, with walking and cycling trails plus excursions to local places of interest and treks in the hills.

The Blue Sky Lounge-Bar provides a comfy retreat where you can get down to some reading and enjoy the company of other guests while enjoying a drink of freshly brewed coffee or something chilled. Oma Spa offers therapies derived from both eastern and western traditions using natural ingredients including freshly ground coffee from the estate, cinnamon, ginger and honey, and is open daily. Other recreational facilties include a pool and children's pool, tennis, badmninton and vollebyall courts, a gym, and bicycles to help you explore the area. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows with expansive views of the estate lands. The menu combines Indian and continental dishes and there are buffet and a la carte options.

Villas are private havens, minimalist in design with the accent on the polished wooden floors, fine textiles and large windows. Each has an en-suite bathroom plus an outdoor shower, a living area and a walled garden with a gazebo and either a pool or jacuzzi. There are two basic designs: single storey villa and two storey terrace. LCD TV, DVD player, fridge, tea and coffee maker and safe are discreetly incorporated. The presidental villa, as the name suggests, is the largest and has two bedrooms and bathrooms, and a courtyard with both pool and jacuzzi.

details

Open: The Serai Chikmagalur is open all year.

Location: The hotel is on a 28 hectare coffee and spice plantation, in the south west of Karnataka state. The closest international airport is Bangalore, a 5 hour, 260kms, drive away.

Rooms: There are 29 villas. These comprise 14 double and 6 twin villas (255sqm) with private pools, 4 double villas with private jacuzzi, all single-storey buildings, 4 double terraces arranged over 2 floors with private pool, and the presidential villa with 2 bedrooms, a dining room, private pool and jacuzzi. Each villa and terrace occupies 255 square metres and the presidential villa has an area of 547 square metres. Each has tea and coffee maker, minibar, TV, DVD player, hair dryer, bathtub, indoor and outdoor shower, and private outside seating. Villas and terraces can sleep up to 4 people, and the presidential villa can accommodate up to 6.

Activities: You can play billiards, chess and board games in the activity centre. Outdoors you can walk in the plantation, explore by bike and take a coffee tour. Sports available include tennis, cricket, football, badminton and volleyball. Yoga sessions can be arranged. Other activities are offered at extra charge and include mountain biking, archery and a number of excursions including treks to Mulayangiri, the highest peak in Karnataka.

Facilities: There is a lounge bar, open from 11am to 11pm, a restaurant (see below), outdoor swimming pool and children’s pool. Oma Spa has steam and therapy rooms, and there’s a gym with weights, a multigym, exercise bike and treadmill. There are indoor games and a children’s play area with a swing, slide and seesaw.

Dining: Odyssey restaurant serves several types of cuisine and is open for breakfast (07:30 till 10:30), lunch (12:30-14:30) and dinner (19:30 to 22:30).

Children: Children of all ages are welcome.

Health: We recommend malaria prophylactics for travel to India.

Communication: There is Wi-Fi internet access.