Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
The bridge to Shalimar, over a mountain stream meandering through the resort, transcends you to another world, seemingly untouched by man. Shalimar Spice Garden is a celebration of scents and colours. Pepper vines snake through your room balconies, butterflies dance to the sound of silence and orchids smile into your windows every morning. This Sublime Journey through waterfalls, tea estates, spice & vegetable plantations, and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary only enhances the invitation to live the Shalimar experience.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
The resort is a peaceful retreat surrounded by trees and spice plantations. A bridge greets you when you enter the resort, transporting you to the hotel lobby.
I stayed in a villa with a temperature controlled pool. The villa was located close to the restaurant and reception, making it suitable for people with mobility issues (I have read other reviews of the property and learnt that some other rooms in the are not as accessible).
The private pool in the villa was well-maintained and cleaned again upon my arrival. It was a cloudy and windy day, and the sound of rustling leaves added to the tranquil ambiance while I relaxed in the pool. The villa also featured a spacious bathroom.
I had opted for the Modified American Plan (MAP). The restaurant was okay, with an artistic outdoor seating area, though the food could certainly use some improvement.
I stayed for just one night and was overall satisfied with my experience. The plunge pool villa was definitely the highlight of my stay.
P.S. This resort is ideal for those seeking peace and quiet, as it lacks entertainment options (there is no TV in the rooms, and the hotel offers few activities.). If serenity is what you seek, this is a good place.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:Opt for the villa with temperature controlled pool, if possible.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gireesh Kumar, General Manager at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort & Spa
Responded 5 Aug 2024
Dear Sir/Ma’am, Namaskar and Season's Greetings! We are glad to receive your motivating comments on your recent stay at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden, Thekkady. It is our constant endeavor at Amritara Hotels & Resorts to provide “Unforgettable Experiences” to our esteemed guests at all times. Your approbation is deeply cherished and we express our gratitude on providing an opportunity to serve you. Amritara team shall await your visit soon! Warm regards, Gireesh Kumar General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I am truly impressed. The hotel industry is all about small things that you do to please your customers. And your polite staff has mastered it. They did everything they can to treat us better way. We had 3 kids in our group. So we needed some changes in Food. The staff Mr. Aneesh didn't hesitate to provide anything we asked. Highly Recommended. Best Wishes.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gireesh Kumar, General Manager at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort & Spa
Responded 30 Oct 2022
Dear Sir/Ma’am, Namaskar and Season's Greetings! It is heartwarming to hear that you value our efforts put forward in making your stay memorable at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden, Thekkady. At Amritara Hotels & Resorts we foster a culture where all our employees are encouraged to tender a professional, personalized and a superlative guest experience. Our unrelenting hospitable spirit is the inspiration acting as a stimulus to ensure our guests truly resonate with “Experiential Holidays” which is our pursuit and cause of existence. We appreciate your gesture and are geared up to reciprocate it with an unfeigned attitude on your next visit. Warm regards, Gireesh Kumar
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The staff was polite, courteous and very well behaved. The resort is at perfect location and any nature lover will love it.
The stay was Amazing, warm staff and loving atmosphere. Stay in the hotel was very peaceful and anyone who stays can feel it. Located in quiet away for the noise of city.
Would recommend to all.
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gireesh Kumar, General Manager at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort & Spa
Responded 27 Jan 2021
Dear Sir/Ma’am, Namaskar and Season's Greetings! It is heartwarming to hear that you value our efforts put forward in making your stay memorable at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden, Thekkady. At Amritara Hotels & Resorts we foster a culture where all our employees are encouraged to tender a professional, personalized and a superlative guest experience. Our unrelenting hospitable spirit is the inspiration acting as a stimulus to ensure our guests truly resonate with “Experiential Holidays” which is our pursuit and cause of existence. We appreciate your gesture and are geared up to reciprocate it with an unfeigned attitude on your next visit. Warm regards, Gireesh
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Resort style hotel with rooms located in the park that are not always easily accessible. In the room the cleanliness leaves something to be desired, they are very dated, poorly functional, very humid; the bathroom, cramped and small. The same goes for the common areas and the restaurant, which is very small and offers basic food.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
You go down a corrugated road to get to the hotel. Friendly check in but old hotel in need of lots of refurbishment. The room especially needs lots of work, mattress and pillows need to be replaced and the safe does not work. Where were the spice plant's around the area and very steep to walk anywhere. Had a massage and the person does not know how to massage what a wate of money
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gireesh Kumar, General Manager at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort & Spa
Responded 26 Apr 2023
Dear Sir / Madam Greetings from Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden, Thekkady. Apologies for the inconvenience caused to you. We would kindly request you to provide your name and period of stay to check what went wrong during your stay with us. Regards Gireesh Kumar General Manager
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What I liked : Location Property is really blending with nature. Heritage touch. Staff Private pool villa Breakfast Table and chairs made of rock, swing, library
What i didn't like: Toilet doors were too much heritage, sometimes , it was difficult to keep it closed. Properly area is so less. Nothing to explore. Cardamom plantation tour should be complimentary just like the breakfast.
Its sad to say that, i didn't see life cycle of a cardamom after staying in a cardamom plantation.
We stayed in a different property for one night after staying here. That property per night rent was much cheaper than the rooms of here and we got a better experience there.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gireesh Kumar, General Manager at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort & Spa
Responded 22 Dec 2021
Dear Sir/Ma’am, Namaskar and Season's Greetings! It was a pleasure to welcome you at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden, Thekkady. Thank you for taking out your precious time to share your valuable feedback. We welcome you once again to visit & relive the unforgettable experiences at the best luxury hotel in Thekkady, Kerala by Amritara Hotels & Resorts. Please keep visiting our website & please ‘like’ our social media pages for the latest seasonal offers of this beautiful resort accommodation in Periyar, close to Kumily! You may please recommend friends & family and request to experience our unique & private cottages, Swimming pool, Private pool villas, alfresco dining by the bar that serves beer & wine, spice trails, game viewing options and the beautiful natural land all around. We have noted your feedback about the toilet door and will do the needful. Please note that we are offering our cardamom plantation tour is complimentary only and we not charging at all. Also we are not processing the cardamon at the resort and we are sending the local shop for the processing. Wishing you a great day ahead! Look forward to welcoming you back in near future. Warm regards, Gireesh
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This hotel has individual chalets. 22 rooms. There is a outdoor swimming pool . You can have a massage. The site is hilly with steps to the main reception . Rooms are comfortable , though there is bird noise at dawn as the site is surrounded by trees. The veg. Menu options are all very pleasant . Breakfast is served . Staff are helpful . You definitely need a porter to carry your case up those stairs to the main gate.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Not suitable if you have any difficulty getting around
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gireesh Kumar, General Manager at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort & Spa
Responded 16 Mar 2023
Dear Sir/Ma’am, Namaskar and Season's Greetings! It is heartwarming to hear that you value our efforts put forward in making your stay memorable at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden, Thekkady. At Amritara Hotels & Resorts we foster a culture where all our employees are encouraged to tender a professional, personalized and a superlative guest experience. Our unrelenting hospitable spirit is the inspiration acting as a stimulus to ensure our guests truly resonate with “Experiential Holidays” which is our pursuit and cause of existence. We appreciate your gesture and are geared up to reciprocate it with an unfeigned attitude on your next visit. Warm regards, Gireesh Kumar General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed here for 3 nights (extended from 2!) and absolutely loved it. Our hut and the surrounding gardens were beautiful and we enjoyed the swimming pool (super clean!). The amazing staff were really the highlight of our stay - they were attentive, accommodating and so friendly. They helped us with restaurant recommendations, cleared our room each night for mosquitos, gave advice on booking trips in Periyar National Park and also helped with some natural remedies for our struggling stomachs! Would highly recommend the Ayurvedic centre too. We had a fantastic, relaxing time and would stay again in a heartbeat 😊 thank you Shalimar team!
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gireesh Kumar, General Manager at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort & Spa
Responded 18 Sept 2022
Dear Sir/Ma’am, Namaskar and Season's Greetings! It is heartwarming to hear that you value our efforts put forward in making your stay memorable at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden, Thekkady. At Amritara Hotels & Resorts we foster a culture where all our employees are encouraged to tender a professional, personalized and a superlative guest experience. Our unrelenting hospitable spirit is the inspiration acting as a stimulus to ensure our guests truly resonate with “Experiential Holidays” which is our pursuit and cause of existence. We appreciate your gesture and are geared up to reciprocate it with an unfeigned attitude on your next visit. Warm regards, Gireesh Kumar
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed here for 2 nights. The resort was peaceful and has beautiful grounds. Staff were friendly, polite and helpful. We booked the Gavi tour prior to our arrival which took care of the transportation, guide and entrance fees. This involved a jeep ride into the forest, breakfast, lunch, guided walk and short boat ride. Facilities were clean and it was well organised. We saw monkeys and birds but no elephants or tigers. We booked through booking.com which included breakfast but not lunch or dinner. Would recommend as a break from heat and humidity whilst on holiday in Kerala.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:They can organise drivers and laundry
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Gireesh Kumar, General Manager at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort & Spa
Responded 18 Jan 2023
Dear Madam Namaskar and Season's Greetings! We are glad to receive your motivating comments on your recent stay at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden, Thekkady. It is our constant endeavor at Amritara Hotels & Resorts to provide “Unforgettable Experiences” to our esteemed guests at all times. Your approbation is deeply cherished and we express our gratitude on providing an opportunity to serve you. Amritara team shall await your visit soon! Warm regards, Gireesh Kumar General Manager
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This place was not exactly away from the city and I could still hear the dogs bark and the honks of the vehicles every now and then. Rooms and the property were not maintained the way a good facility should. Shower and bathroom facilities had issues. The bed sheets that were being replaced were torn sometimes. Gave me a feeling I am living in a cheap motel room.
People working at the property were nice. Very cordial and trying their hardest to make you feel comfortable.
The worst of them all was their kitchen. The menu decided and offered to the guests was sad. It was that sad that you wouldn't want to order any food when you are done reading the whole menu. The food was ok sometimes but still seemed like the chef did not know how to use his spices in a proportionate manner and it always seemed to lack that extra.
We had a pool villa. The pool was supposed to be the main star of attraction for the room but even that was dirty. From day one I had been complaining to the management to clean the pool but to no avail. The pool had green tinge on all the fixtures inside the pool (like the lights and the water inlet /outlet). I finally tried to get inside the pool and found that even the walls and floors of the pool had that green layer of algae. As soon as I wiped some part of it, the pool turned green. I complained to the manager yet again and they came down with the pool boy to check. I showed them each and every problem in detail, told them that the filters need cleaning, that the pumps are not working as they should and then I found the secondary filter of the pool was not even working because when they made it, it broke and had leaks, so they stopped using one of the filtration systems. In the end the pool boy could clean the pool to our satisfaction and we could get in the pool on the last day of our stay.
All in all they stay was below satisfaction and was not worth the money.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Guest,
Greetings from Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden, Thekkady.
We would like to inform you that, we can arrange candle light dinner with an extra charges.
Regards
Gireesh Kumar
Dear Guest,
At the property there are a lot of steps and the restaurant is at the bottom of the Hill so it does become difficult for people with mobility issues to use all the facilities of the Hotel.
There is a second entrance which is usually used for people with mobility issues and does not require a lot of walking and
but for meals usually one might get restricted to room service.
There are more places to choose from in the Thekkady area.
PRICE RANGE
₹9,050 - ₹13,446 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
shalimar spice garden hotel kumily, shalimar spice garden thekkady
LOCATION
IndiaKeralaIdukki DistrictThekkady
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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