Emerald Isle, Alleppey, Kerala

There are few traditional homes in Kerala that have been maintained to retain all of their original features, most people these days prefer to pull them down and build modern constructions however, Emerald Isle is a rare gen which still, after 150 years retains its original architectural features, mostly in teak, with splendid wood carvings. There is also a fine Ara, the timber storeroom used in former times for storing the rice harvest of rice. Being located in the backwaters, arrival is by boat and having cruised along the lush green surroundings with a lazy way of life interspersed with flashes of birds flitting around, one steps into a home for where this charmed existence has been played out for a century and a half. Emerald Isle Heritage Villa, with just a handful of rooms, and being spread over nine acres, offers peace, privacy and pure relaxation. Each room is air-conditioned and has its own en-suite open-shower bathroom with all modern facilities. All meals are served in open dining area in the garden. This is the perfect base from which to explore life on the backwaters or take a country boat ride but many people choose to relax, read a book or taste the locally harvested ’toddy’ fresh from the coconut trees, fish or take a stroll around the garden, whiling away the days in nature!