Park Hotels opens first luxury resort in Kerala

Targetting the high end luxury travellers - both domestic and international, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels has forayed into the resort segment by opening its first 10-room luxury resort in the country in Kerala at Muhamma on the banks of Vembanad lake in Alappuzha. Kerala is the perfect destination for our entry into this segment because the state has always been synonymous with luxury and high end tourism which is exactly how we have positioned our properties- to cater to well heeled tourists and leisure travelers, a press release quoting Priya Paul, chairperson The Park Hotels said.

The Rs 15 crore resort, built on over an acre plot, has 10 luxury rooms, a suite, two tented spas offering Ayurvedic and contemporary treatments, a gymnasium and Hyacinth restaurant, Lemuel Herbert, associate vice president, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotel, told reporters here. The jetty bar, Vallom - a pool and performance space are among the facilities. The group has also launched an eight-cabin lake cruiser, 'Apsara' which will take the guests to the tranquil waters of Vembanad Lake offering unparalleled standard in luxury resort.

The 'Apsara' and the resort has set new benchmarks in luxury accommodation while simultaneously providing the guests a never before backwaters experience, he said. The 28-metre double hull cruiser, built on two levels has a galley, saloon and dining area, sundeck and panoramic seating area.

The Park has plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore in the next 10 years and is aiming to build 20 hotels by 2020, including 3 at Pune, Kolkatta and Jaipur, which are expected to be ready by 2013. The Vembanad resort is the ninth property of the group. 

Thrissur Pooram

A line of elephants in full splendour of festival adornments and surrounded by a spirited crowd. The snap for the month was taken during the most famous festival occasions of Kerala - the Thrissur Pooram. The elephants shown in the picture are returning after paying their respects before the statue of Sakthan Thampuran, who as per local belief was the architect behind the origins of Pooram. This is an event that could be seen on the final day of the Pooram festivities, just before the spectacular changing of colorful parasols or Kudamatam in local parlance.

                

Munnar

For the travellers, it may seem the beautiful land welcoming them with a present of fresh blossoms. This month, we bring you a shot of the exquisite flora of Munnar, Idukki. With its picture post card looks, Munnar is endearing to every traveller who reaches here. Dense forests, sprawling grasslands, wild flowers- there is much more for a nature lover. Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams- Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, Munnar is Kerala-s premium hill station. Munnar is known for the Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once in twelve years. Anamudi, South India-s highest peak is also located near Munnar.

God's Own Country

God has generously bestowed this land with the bounties of nature and so it only seems natural when Kerala is referred to, as God’s own country.

A much sought-after destination for tourists in India and abroad, Kerala is named as one of the ‘Ten Paradises of the World’ and ‘Fifty Places of a Lifetime’ by the National Geographic Traveler Magazine. The alluring serenity of this place leaves every tourist spell bound, making them come back year after year.

Now the places where you may pay a visit are: Kozhikode, Alappuzha, Kochi, Kannur Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad and Kollam. Apart from sight-seeing Kerala offers you a great diverse culture, houseboat cruise, fabulous cuisine & Ayurvedic Massages.

Well if you are planning a tour it would be best just before the onset of the monsoon i.e from March to May. The holiday packages a quite cheap as well as very effective. Kerala Tourism along with  a chain of Hoteliers offer attractive packages.

An equable climate, serene beaches, tranquil stretches of backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife are the major attractions of this land. A unique advantage of Kerala is that most of the destinations here are just two to four hour drive from the other.

Classical art forms, colourful festivals, unique cuisine are some of the cultural marvels that await travellers. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine and Panchakarma, the rejuvenation therapy in Ayurveda have also helped Kerala to gain a pan-global reputation as a top of the line destination.

And in Kerala, the season never ends, thanks to the year-long moderate climate and numerous festivals and events.