Telegraaph Article
The resort is set in 46 acres, with 23 acres along the beachfront left to natural rainforest, to the north-west of Havelock Island. Guests normally arrive by boat from Port Blair and are met at the port. Travel off site can be arranged. The area is renowned for its watersports – especially kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving as well as activities such as bird watching and nature treks. This can all be organised on site with more than 20 options.
The resort has 72 luxury well-spaced wooden villas, built on stilts with thatched roofs, set in manicured grounds, along meandering paths, with flowers, lawns and more than 600 towering native coconut and palmyra trees offering shade and wildlife habitat. The impression is one of a green and peaceful hideaway, with background birdsong and just the occasional tinkle of a bicycle bell, which could be the general manager. The wooden-built public areas are kept simple, with the odd water bowl of fresh flower heads: nature takes centre stage here.
There’s an arrival area where staff sing a welcome song, a partially open reception building with gym and gift shop and separate spa with four treatment rooms. The infinity pool has a backdrop of towering palms, a large sundeck and pool bar. The restaurants are in a separate block. Golf buggies are on hand to whisk you around. There are push bikes too; very soon there will be two per villa. The immaculate grounds are a particular feature: 14 gardeners keep them pristine, along with the large organic kitchen garden, using water from its own borehole. Water bodies fill to bursting in the monsoon where waterlilies flower. On the beach, loungers, chairs and umbrellas are supplied, along with refreshing cold flannels. Service is sharp. After noticing a cold and sneezing, I was offered a trip to the chemist along with ginger tea and honey.
Apart from a couple of villas with extra rooms, they are all the same size: enormous. Full-length patio doors lead into the room from a large sun deck area which has both table and chairs and steamer chairs. The oversized four-poster bed has a sofa at the foot and to one side are a couple of lounge chairs. Near here is an area for luggage storage and the wardrobe; to the other side is a bureau with tea and coffee-making facilities and a minibar. A striking original artwork is the only decoration; the polished dark wood needs nothing else. Heavy cream curtains offer privacy at night, but none of the villas are overlooked. Behind the wall at the head of the bed runs his and hers sinks, set on wooden slatted cabinets. At one end is the toilet and the other a walk-in shower and large tub. Forest Essentials toiletries are in refillable bottles. Walking end to end regularly could get your steps in.
Turtle House near the pool offers al fresco eating all day, switching between Mediterranean and Mexican. It’s here you can enjoy a well-mixed cocktail sundowner: try the old fashioned. Shoreline is the main restaurant, offering Asian, European and Indian options. The large outdoor deck has views of the beach through the palms. The Settlers downstairs offers a unique dining experience: for lunch or dinner, a tasting menu highlighting the different food cultures of the islands accompanied by storytelling. Shorba soup, surprisingly based on pineapple, was particularly memorable. Breakfast upstairs offers a buffet with cold cuts, hot stations for eggs and Indian options as well as waffles, pancakes and French toast with a changing menu. Try adai, a fermented pancake served with chutney as a change from dosa. Complimentary high tea is offered near the beach, just before the main event each night: a spectacular sunset.