Hotels Thekkady

The resort gets its name from the pair of impassive, miniature elephants watching over the guests as they enter. The sari-clad hostesses greet guests with jasmine garlands and a sweet smile, of course. Set in four acres, over a landscaped hillock, the resort promises to take your breath away from the word go. It is built in typical Kerala architecture. Certain contemporary elements lend it a modern touch at places. The teak furniture and accessories add an aesthetic feel to the resort. It remains cool throughout the year.

The resort is owned by Vijaya Corporate, who started operations in 1955 as a family business which included agriculture, finance and small time trading. Today the company controls a wide array of business activities including trading, construction, finance, real estate, property development and hospitality. The Elephant Court is the first in the chain of resorts and hotels.

You’ll find the colours at the resort are composed of earthy hues of brown and pale green. Cane, wood and jute are used all over the property. There are 52 Patio Rooms come with twin beds, a bath and restroom. Every room has a roofed patio, extending outwards at one end of the room, bound by a Charupaddy (an extended, carved wooden bench, representative of traditional Kerala architecture). All rooms have a coffee machine and a small refrigerator.

The four Executive Enclaves, though primarily meant for business travellers, are also used by guests who crave for privacy and luxury. There is separate work and living areas or the guests. The suites are all equipped with the state of the art in communicative facilities.Garden Suites are three in number, and have a secluded garden, fish-pond and a verandah. All the garden suites are equipped with the latest of amenities and also have a Jacuzzi.

There are three Pool Studios – they look out onto the pool. Through the day soft diffused light filters into the room casting dappled shadows on the walls. The two Honeymoon Suites are intimate spaces for couples. you can find a glass-walled Jacuzzi, lit from above during the day with a frosted skylight, and looks into the bedroom.

A single Family Enclave is a space where small and big families can spend time together. There’s space for the kids to play as well. The restaurant at Elephant Court offers dishes laced with coconut and spices. It is open on two sides, with a view of the swimming pool. There’s also a coffee shop. There are Chinese and Continental cuisines to be tasted. For those who want to hold receptions and functions there are conference and banquet halls. It can seat 150 people. The 30-seater mini conference hall can host smaller gatherings. The big hall is located in the lobby of the first floor and the mini conference hall is next to the gym.

A kidney shaped swimming pool with an attached paddle pool for kids, separates the lobby, dining and recreational spaces from the residences. The area around the pool, with deck chairs, is a great place to soak in the sun during the day. Come sundown, the poolside bar comes alive.

Make use of the library and the lounge to relax. There are a host of indoor games to try out. Table tennis, carom boards, badminton and other table games are available here. After a day of shopping or trekking, you can rejuvenate yourself at the Ayurvedic Spa here. Ayurveda promotes healthy living along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental and spiritual harmony. Guests can conslt with qualified Ayurvedic doctors. You can choose from panchakarma, sweat treatments, oil massages and therapies. The yoga and meditation centre is open for guests at all times.

The Elephant Court is located close to the Thekkady forests, about a kilometre from Kumily, near Thekkady. The resort is just 180km from Cochin International Airport at Nedumbaserry and 165km from Madurai Airport, in Tamil Nadu. The nearest railhead is at Kottayam, 110km away. The main form of transport are buses and taxis.