Spice Village (CGH Earth), Thekkady, Kerala

So much more than a hotel, Spice Village provides a unique experience up in the Keralan hills. A tribal village "homestay" re-imagined with the modern traveller in mind. From the moment you arrive, it's apparent you're in for a very different stay. Forgoing the traditional saccharinely sweet welcome drink and accompanying flower garland, guests are invited to choose their own herbal infusion, to be steeped in front of them. The culinary creations continue into the dining room, where the head chef has created a delectable array of local tribalinspiredKeralan dishes, all freshly cooked and locally sourced. You can learn the tricks of the trade with a cooking class should you like to take some of Kerala's famous flavours home with you. Working with and for the local community, guests stay in individual, traditional thatched cottages, dotted around manicured grounds and pepper plantations. As with everything at Spice Village, the emphasis is not on the aesthetic, but on the message communicated. Interiors are simple, yet created using traditional methods: elephant grass roofs, woven coir mats on exposed stone floors. Plus there's no air-conditioning, but you won't need it up in the Keralan hills. If all this weren't relaxing enough there is a yoga and meditation centre, traditional Ayurvedic spa, plus a pool for lounging. Heaven in the hills.