I had the impression that I had travelled back in time to the colonial era as we pulled into The Tamara Kodai’s stone-paved driveway in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, because of the charming property’s handmade and wood-fired Winchester-inspired tiles, stone walls, and verandah floors made from railway sleeper wood purchased at an auction.
Suites
The hotel, which was ecologically designed, features 53 suites and was thoughtfully built to complement the surroundings. I relaxed in my Superior Luxury Suite and marvelled at its tastefully crafted wooden staircase, Madras-pattern roof, stained glass doorway, and hand-picked hardwood furniture.
The living area and bedroom were divided by a sliding wooden door. I sat in the balcony of the suite and sipped freshly brewed filter coffee as I took in the hill station ambiance. Tamara’s vision of the sustainable good life is reflected in the IFRA certified refillable, pH-balanced, paraben-free preservative, cruelty-free toiletries, glass bottled RO-purified filtered water, and eco-friendly room slippers.
With a king-sized bed, 24-hour dining, dependable Wi-Fi, an LED television, a fully stocked minibar, and an electronic safe, heritage and luxury have been seamlessly merged.
The Food
I enjoyed eating my breakfast on the lawn, which was dotted with pear and acacia trees that were in bloom. I decided to eat my breakfast at a wooden bench and table with birds chirping nearby while being sun-kissed. Bistro 1845 and La Providence are the two restaurants at the Tamara Kodai. The opulent Indian, European, and Asian cuisine at the French-inspired Bistro 1845 kept me coming back for more.
Beetroot kofta curry, dungar aloo palak, and kairi wali bhindi go well with the Kodai mash, a specialty drink made with brandy, fresh ginger, lime juice, and honey. There were mouthwateringly hot deep-fried anchovies, chicken ghee roast, and spicy Kerala beef fry. My opulent evenings at Bistro 1845 were characterised by the chill in the air, the warmth of the bonfire, the starry sky above, and the mouthwatering food.
La Providence is an artistically pleasing restaurant that appeals to history buffs. It offers a spectacular multi-cuisine buffet and is located in the old La Providence building from the 1800s. On the day I ate outside, I looked at the hills and the verdant forest. The indoor eating area the following day, complete with a colonial-style chandelier and mezzanine floor, enhanced the ambience of an earlier era.
Going local, I enjoyed panchamirtham, hill garlic mushroom rasam, infused cauliflower rasam with green tea, radish vada, potato and green pea mappas with appam, and ragi idiyappam with bamboo shoot curry.
Sustainable Development
The 17 UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development are matched with the sustainability objectives of the Tamara Kodai. Some of the eco-conscious and people-centered programmes include considerable water saving, gender equality through pay parity, and local hiring of 51% of its employees and 40% of its purchases. 1.5 acres of the property’s 8 acres are set aside for flora and
According to Shruti Shibulal, CEO of The Tamara Leisure Experience, “The Tamara Kodai is the pinnacle of sustainable measures in keeping with our commitment to responsible hospitality. Existing elements, including wooden window frames and staircases, were reinforced, repaired, and reused throughout the refurbishment of the building. The experiences maintain environmental integrity and feature a small organic farm, considerable rainwater gathering, and other green initiatives. When sustainability and responsible hospitality work together, it strengthens social, human, and environmental capital and can have a long-lasting effect on the sustainability mission.
The Scale of Indulgence
I reserved two signature treatments at the hotel’s The Elevation Spa because I’m a spa addict. My bio-field was enhanced by the Hema Pushpa Anubhava treatment’s pink rose salt scrub and Indian rose oil massage, whilst the Ayurvedic Abhydhara’s abhyanga massage and shirodhara increased my circulation and calmed me.
The Tamara Kodai is a favourite for an opulent holiday, a corporate event, or a destination wedding with to its one and only temperature-controlled swimming pool, yoga room with a view of the hills, conference spaces, indoor games area, crèche, and library.
My excursions to La Saleth Church, Christ the King Church, the 3,000-year-old Poombarai Murugan temple, Mannavanur Lake, a rabbit farm, and a sheep farm were organised by the travel desk. I also went on nature hikes and bird watching excursions, explored the terrace farms of Poombarai Village, and observed the process of extracting eucalyptus oil.