Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts has confirmed that the Banyan Tree Kerala will open its doors in the first quarter of 2013, marking the luxury hotel group’s debut in India.
Located on a private island in the backwaters of the southern Indian state, Banyan Tree Kerala will be an all-pool villa retreat, located one hour from Kochi airport.
Visitors will be ferried to the island of Nediyathuruthu on a 10-minute boat ride from the resort’s private jetty in nearby Vaduthala, through Kerala’s famous palm-lined backwaters.
Each of the resort’s 59 wooden villas features a private pool and views of the surrounding waterways and canals, while the resort’s ‘Activity Island’ includes a grass function area, sports court, a climbing wall, archery range and an obstacle course.
The resort will also be home to Banyan Tree’s first Ayurvedic Centre which offers personalised consultations by qualified Ayurvedic doctors. The on-site Banyan Tree Spa will feature four Ayurvedic treatment rooms plus six spa pavilions, as well as a gymnasium and yoga area. Other facilities include a library, games room and kids’ club.
Banyan Tree Kerala also offers five F&B outlets, comprising two restaurants, a pool bar, lounge and spa café, while guests can also dine aboard a traditional local palak boat. A houseboat also offers evening rides on the backwaters.
In addition to the activity island event space, Banyan Tree Kerala also features a boardroom, two meeting rooms and a banqueting hall.
When it opens early next year, Banyan Tree Kerala will become the world’s 23rd Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts-branded property.
