Neeleshwar Hermitage MI Evaluation - Gold Plus

Neeleshwar Hermitage is a place where you can gain deep rest, release the burden of the past and rejuvenate. A place of new beginnings, Neeleshwar provides a harmonious and tranquil setting in which to take stock of your life journey and take steps to enhance your growth. 

At The Hermitage we have created a nourishing environment where you can escape the pressures of the modern world, relax and take the time to regain your balance and get back in touch with yourself.

ACCOMMODATION 

We have twelve detached cottages, each positioned so as to give its occupants a sense of sovereign privacy. 

Eight sea-view cottages with twin or double bed, each with its own sea-facing balcony and bathroom with attached garden courtyard. Each cottage is light and airy, with teak floors, a high ceiling and unusually generous proportions (5.6 x 6.1 meters) that combine to create a sense of space, peace and tranquility. Each is embellished with locally handmade furniture and both antique and contemporary works of art from Kerala, and an in-house stereo system (ipod). 

Four garden-view cottages, with exactly the same facilities as the sea view ones, but providing beautiful views over the luxuriant gardens. These cottages can be used by families or parties who would like to be together. 

The buildings are constructed in the local vernacular of laterite and thatch, with carved and dressed woodwork lovingly fashioned in traditional style by local craftsmen so skilled that their usual work is building and restoring temples. These craftsmen have also produced our handmade furniture. Each room is decorated with both traditional and contemporary objets d’art. The result is an uplifting sense of elegance and dignity.

DINING 

Authentic, Delicious & Nutritional

We believe that good food makes a good life and given Kerala’s history and cultural diversity, are able to draw on an extraordinarily varied cuisine, incorporating Indian, Middle-Eastern and European flavours. 

Annapurna
The Annapurna restaurant, dedicated to the Goddess of Nourishment, is the centre of the site. Annapurna specialises in authentic, predominantly vegetarian food not usually seen in hotels. Our cooking skills are honed by ayurvedic teaching on the importance of attending to the appearance, balance, flavour, enjoyment and nutritional effects of any dish. 

Meenakshi
We also have a beachside restaurant, the Meenakshi, named after another local goddess. Here you can enjoy superb fresh fish caught by the local long boats that go out each morning, as well as breakfast, healthy lunchtime salads and delicious light meals.

LEISURE

During your stay with us, we aim to nourish your body, mind and soul through authentic and delicious food, the charm of our staff and the Ayurvedic practices for which Kerala is renowned - massage, meditation and yoga. 

CONSULTATION with a doctor
Any treatments you choose at Neeleshwar are preceded by a complimentary consultation with our Ayurvedic doctor, Dr. Suma

She can recommend holistic treatments and activities to help you make maximum benefit of your stay, and if necessary advise on an appropriate food menu to be followed throughout your stay. In addition to the wide range of Ayurvedic programmes, some Western spa treatments are available to help you feel rested and rejuvenated.

Ayurveda
At Neeleshwar we practise genuine Ayurvedic treatments in the traditional way, in collaboration with the Sahayadri Foundation, one of the few 100% organic herbal medicine manufacturers in India. We take great care to ensure that all the preparations we use are completely natural and organically produced, and are sourced in a way that does not impact negatively on the environment. To do this we employ disadvantaged tribal groups in the Sahayadri mountains in Kerala, guaranteeing them stable employment, fair wages and social improvements. We operate from a menu of twenty Ayurvedic treatments, both general and localised. 

Priya Spa
The Priya Ayurvedic Spa has five spacious treatment rooms ranged around a central courtyard garden. The building has been designed along traditional lines with beautifully proportioned ceilings and elegantly carved pillars. The whole place is airy and well ventilated, with a wonderful calming atmosphere in which treatments are practised in an unhurried and quiet way. We ensure that all the preparations we use are 100% natural, organically produced and sourced in a way that does not impact negatively on the environment. 

Yoga
Yoga is an indispensable aid to good health and our yoga programme at the Hermitage is under the tutelage of Shri Anil Kumar. 

Meditation
Two types of meditation courses are available. Prana Energising Technique is taught by Anil Kumar throughout the year in 1,2, and 3 day courses. Transcendental Meditation (TM) is taught by our cultural director Alistair Shearer (when he is at the hotel) in 4, 5, and 6 days courses. 

Food Recommendations
If necessary our doctor may recommend an appropriate food menu to be followed during the course of your stay.

Cookery Classes
Due to Malabar’s historical openness to the wider world, the cuisine in this part of India is very varied. One of our specialities at the Hermitage are local Malabar dishes usually not seen in international hotels, along with mouthwateringly fresh fish bought daily from our local fishermen. We offer regular Cookery Classes for our guests under the tutelage of our resident chefs. So you can not only enjoy our food while you are here but take a nourishing skill back home with you.

Bekal Fort
Over three and a half centuries old, Bekal Fort looms large against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. Soaring observation towers, once cannon emplacements, splendours of the sea that spread to the north, south and west and the rich naturescapes to the east, a water reservoir with a long flight of steps and a magazine for storing ammunition add to the mystery of the place. 

Backwater Houseboat
Behind the Hermitage lies a network of secluded backwaters that feed the local paddyfields and eventually open out into the sea. Attractive and spacious houseboats, converted from traditional Keralan rice barges, provide the perfect setting for cool, tranquil and relaxing cruises to refresh the mind and enliven the spirit. During the day one can watch the local life as it unfolds unhurriedly along the banks: people washing clothes, collecting water for the home, working in their gardens, fishing with traditional nets, going to the temple. In the evening the wide variety of local birdlife gathers in flocks to roost for the night while the sky is ravished by a spectacular sunset. And to round it all off, what could be better than a romantic dinner and candlelit concert of classical music under the brilliant canopy of stars? 

Cycling
Behind The Hermitage stretches a large network of small roads and lanes that give the visitor a wonderful experience of local life. The ideal way to explore this hinterland is by bike. You will enter a world of paddy fields, garden compounds, shrines, temples and mosques, and can follow a lovely coastline along which lie traditional fishing villages where boats and nets are made and repaired. 

There are several intriguing routes, taking anything between an hour and half day or more to complete, depending on how long you like to linger and explore. Why not take a picnic out from the hotel and make a real adventure of it? However long you spend, you will find that the local people are very friendly and will be intrigued by you in the most polite and good-humoured way!

Wildlife
We regularly arrange visit to see the rare Olive Ridley turtles and from October/November onwards there is a bird guide at the hermitage.