Luxury Travel to Marari Beach made for you

On the shores of the Arabian Sea and close to the famed backwaters of Alleppey, this verdant resort is beautifully placed to explore the best of Kerala. There are 30 villas set in the sprawling gardens, each a luxurious blend of modern and traditional Keralan design with private pools, lavish bathrooms and walk-in dressing rooms. A major draw here is the stunning Ayurveda spa which offers a huge range of treatments and tailored wellness programs using age-old practices, with a focus on rejuvenation, stress management and detoxing combined with personalised Ayurveda diets. For those seeking to explore, take bicycle rides around local villages for a glimpse into rural lifestyles in this beautiful corner of India, discover the Jewish and colonial history of the region on historical excursions, explore sacred temples or visit the nearby Kumarakom bird sanctuary. There are also daily yoga sessions, the peaceful Marari beach and the Carnoustie’s own wonderful houseboat for private lunch and evening cruises along the backwaters. Making the most of the surrounding water and its bounty, the Chimaera restaurant serves up the freshest seafood while Ida has something for everyone. Being a resort dedicated to body and mind, there’s no alcohol available.

Set a little back from the sands of Marari Beach, four original fishermen’s cottages have been thoroughly renovated to create a gem of a boutique hideaway. Hammocks are strung between swaying palms a short barefoot stroll from the warm Arabian Sea and incredible westward sunset views. The cottages are unique, one with its own plunge pool and another with two bedrooms. All have air conditioning and are decorated with antiques, local artifacts and demonstrate real attention to detail. They also all have a cool veranda, the setting for your meals as there is no central restaurant, ideal for those who want real privacy. There’s a large main swimming pool and a simple beach-side hut for Ayurvedic massage and treatments. The best thing to do here is nothing at all, but if you want to explore then bikes can be borrowed and tours to local temples and villages, Alleppey or even Cochin can be arranged. Boat tours through the nearby Keralan backwaters and on Vembanad Lake are also recommended.