Spice Village

Tucked amongst the trees, Spice Village serves traditional Indian and international cuisine at Tamarind Restaurant. At the 50 Mile Diet, enjoy dishes like coconut soup and for pudding, honey baked yoghurt and chakka varatti (jackfruit, ghee and jaggery) - plus traditional dance shows at dinner. The walls at Woodhouse Bar are filled with memorabilia and you can enjoy a game of pool at the 150-year-old billiards table. Take a dip in the pool, join a yoga session or indulge in traditional Ayurvedic treatments.

The thatched cottages have a modern yet simple style with terracotta floors and pine furnishings made out of crates from the nearest port. The cottages come with tea/coffee facilities, a mini bar, living area and an en-suite bathroom with small ceramic jars of organic toiletries. Sliding doors open onto a patio with wicker furnishings looking over the lawns and Deluxe Cottages come with a private garden. Although the rooms don't have air conditioning, the elephant grass roofs keep them at a comfortable temperature.

In Spice Village, you can enjoy a game of basketball or badminton, a cooking demo of local favourites or take a nature walk across the village's 12 acres where you could see the Malabar squirrel or the charcoal-coloured Nilgiri langur. Enjoy a guided trek through the tiger reserve, the gem of Periyar, and keep an eye out for big cats, elephant or Indian bison. You could also see Periyar from a different angle as you glide across the lake on a bamboo raft as the wildlife bathe and drink at the edge.