Windermere Estate

I had hesitated to book this hotel as the reviews are somewhat mixed but , in the end, it was one of the most memorable places of our 3.5 week trip to India. The entire atmosphere is very relaxing. You are surrounded by nature, with the mountains, tea and cardamom plantations all around the property. Our room was simple and spacious, evoking the atmosphere of the old plantation. I took the early morning bird watching walk and my husband and I did the afternoon plantation walk as well. Both were excellent, led by their very charming and informative in house naturalist. The set meals were very enjoyable too. I loved the Munnar area and the Windemere Estate enhanced the experience.

This is a beautifully maintained heritage property in the middle of cardomom plantations, There were no A/Cs, but we didn’t mind despite the fact that we were visiting on one of the hottest days of the year. The staff was polite and super friendly. We also got a chance to meet the owner Mr. Simon and had a delightful conversation. The food was delicious, prepared using fresh local ingredients. The place had a vibe and you can feel the calmness and serenity when you are there. The plantation walk in the evening was lovely and not to be missed. If you are looking for a place where you can be with the nature, this is it.

Stayed 2 nights in the garden room, lovely room but not much view and for the price would have expected a fridge especially as you have to bring your own alcohol. They will keep your drinks in their fridge and no problem bringing to you but for convenience would have preferred in room. The area is beautiful and the hotel offers guided walks around the cardomon plantation. The pool was lovely but limited chairs/ beds around pool which could be a little uncomfortable. Afternoon tea was served and some pop up events such as tea tastings. Maybe a notice board with timings of these would help instead of guests having to ask. Food was a set menu reasonable cost and mostly enjoyable but the pork dish we had was too fatty. The breakfast served outside was delightful with the peacefulness of the area. Overall great hotel in munnar.

The property boasts an excellent location and a serene ambience, perfect for those seeking a getaway from the crowds. The staff is friendly, and the owner provides personal attention. However, I encountered a few drawbacks. The British Colonial interior vibe feels somewhat outdated, and the limited set menu for each meal can be restricting. On one occasion, when we requested chai for our driver, the response surprised me – "We don't serve drivers; they have a separate area or can go outside." While I would have gladly paid for it, the attitude was disappointing. Additionally, in-room basic accessories like the dental kit are available only upon request. Considering the limited amenities and menu, the nightly charge seems excessive for what is offered. The location is stunning, but the pricing may not align with the overall experience.

Lovely small hotel ideal to use as a base for the tea plantations, As others have said bring your own alcohol but note you can only drink in your room not in the restaurant. Thought the food was good it’s a set menu We missed the plantation walk as we were told we could turn up anytime when in fact everyone else left at 4pm. We had a short 30 minute walk instead which was ok. Estate rooms are ok but the planters rooms look better as they look out over the valley.

Heading up into the Western Ghats after weeks ***** the hot and humid coast was a welcome change and this was topped off with a wonderful stay at the Windemere Estate. This is a quiet, private location with excellent views from the grounds or from atop a massive boulder where they have built stairs for easy access. A great spot from which to view the sunrise (and worth getting up for!). Our rooms were good size with modest bathrooms. All the basics were available and there was a very nice patio attached with more great views. The rooms felt a bit like they have suffered from the humidity but were clean and well appointed. Some rooms are quite a hike to get to which was fine for us but folks should be aware. The food was fantastic with absolutely great with friendly, prompt and thoughtful service. The menu is set but for one member of our party with food allergies they were happy to provide a special meal. They'd check in with her each day to see what she might like for dinner! Breakfast was very good and made to order in addition to the usual breakfast items such as fruit. The afternoon tea was very nice with several tea options and a fresh made snack. The surroundings here are captivating and filled with so many different plants and lots of different birds. The bird walk was great, what a clever naturalist they have. Overall a wonderful stay with great staff, beautiful views and good rooms (especially kudos to the dining room team... excellent!)

A perfect stay in a beautiful hotel set in the hills close to Munmar. We had a beautiful spacious and clean room with a verranda overlooking the valley. All spotlessly clean. There are plug in mosquito repellents in the rooms although i didnt get any bites. Fresh drinking water was provided ( love the initiative to reduce plastic bottle use) The breakfast was plentiful and fresh, evening meals were freshly cooked daily and the chef was very proud of the fact that all food is made using fresh local ingredients and never pre prepared. They gave me a lovely birthday cake as well! There is a lovely pool. The staff also invite you to a daily nature walk through the Cardamon fields which is lovely . We met the owner ( Dr Simon) who is very proud of his hotel. I would highly recommend this beautiful hotel.

We had a great time at the very special Windermere estate. The staff were so helpful and we loved the food. Although it is a set menu there is a great variety and it is an opportunity to try new things. We loved the plantation walk with Ansel and were very excited to see wild elephants at a distance! The pool is so beautiful although refreshing. We had a lovely relaxing poolside day where we had the pool to ourselves. On our last night they held a barbecue which was a lovely way to chat to other quests. Everything was great and we would love to visit again.

During a recent trip to India, we had the pleasure of staying on the Windermere estate for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and had an exceptional experience from start to finish. On arrival we were greeted by John, Jacob and the team and immediately made to feel at home; being a family owned estate, the personal touches and level of service really stood out. The location itself and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking, both from the rooms and from the various viewpoints on the estate. There was so much to explore, within and outside of the estate. The accommodation was comfortable, clean and have everything that we could possibly need during our stay. The highlight was the Christmas Eve meal, which the team had clearly gone to great efforts to organise; the food was exceptional and a great opportunity to try lots of authentic Kerala cuisine, a fantastic sitar player, and decorations to enjoy outdoor dining, followed by fireworks. On other days, the restaurant itself was fantastic and the tea tasting was a really nice touch (particularly in the context of the Western Ghats). I’d highly recommend the Windermere estate for anyone during their time in Kerala, wanting an authentic experience in stunning surroundings.