At the new Banyan Tree Kerala, opening later this year, guests won’t just turn up at reception — they’ll sail into the lobby via the tranquil, palm-fringed backwaters the Southern Indian region is rightly famed for.
The all-villa resort is the luxury hotel group’s first in India. Set on a private island in the Alleppey district, an hour’s drive south of Kochi, all 59 villas will have private pools. There is also a resort pool and views across the network of canals and rivers.
Elements of local architecture — gables, roofs and wooden facades — will mix with indigenous materials such as coir (made from coconut husk) and ornamental wood carvings.
Three restaurants will offer food from traditional Southern Indian to Thai and international. The Ayurvedic spa will dole treatments to suit guests’ dosha type (in short, energies) as well as those to ease arthritis and sports injuries.
Slightly unexpectedly archery is available on Activity Island across from the main resort, with a climbing wall and obstacle course.
Villas costs US$490 (£328) B&B, banyantree.com/en/kerala