Moonlight Retreat Thekkady

The best part of our short family break at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort was how warm the staff made us feel. Everyone, from reception and housekeeping to the restaurant and luggage service, was kind and attentive. The receptionist kept checking in, and the spa therapist gave a relaxing massage and shared stories about the resort. Housekeeping kept everything spotless, and the luggage help was especially useful with our elderly parents. Our early check-in request was handled graciously, and the Signature Cottage was ready early. We booked a Pool Cottage and a Signature Cottage for one night with my parents and brother. The cottages were clean and carefully maintained, with old-style Kerala character alongside modern amenities. The bathrooms were spacious and well equipped. We spent a lot of time in the clean, temperature-controlled private pool and on the patio, enjoying the quiet. You could hardly hear anything from outside. Mobile reception was surprisingly good, though Wi-Fi could be better. There were a few drawbacks. Reaching the cottages means climbing about 60 rocky steps, which can be tiring for older guests. My parents managed, but going back and forth, especially to the restaurant, was difficult. A buggy service would help. The beds were comfortable, but the linens felt a little damp and could use an upgrade. Meals were uneven. Room-service lunch took quite a while and was average. Dinner was a bit better, but not memorable. Breakfast was genuinely good and easily our best meal. The spa was excellent and reasonably priced. Staff used camphor and repellents for mosquitoes in the evening, and we had no trouble with them. There was a real sense that the staff enjoyed their work, and their warmth, the peaceful isolation, the heritage feel, and the spa made our stay memorable despite the access, bedding, and food issues.

The hotel itself is nice, and the kitchen staff were very kind. But service from the rest of the team needs work. At reception, the women we dealt with weren’t very friendly, and during checkout we were pushed to leave by 10 am before we’d even seen the room. They also treated our driver badly over food. Everyone should be treated equally when it comes to meals. He had nowhere to sleep overnight and had to stay in the car. Around checkout, a woman also complained that he hadn’t washed his plate.

The Christmas night show was amazing, and the food was really good. We went for our honeymoon and were glad we did. Our villa was tucked into the forest, away from the chaos, with its own temperature-controlled pool. The decoration cost extra, but it was done beautifully. Everyone was friendly and helpful. I’d give it a 9/10 and would definitely return for the peaceful setting and the people.

The quiet location, tasty food, and steady hot water were all positives, and I appreciated the friendly male staff and 24-hour security. I’m only giving 3 stars, though. The bathroom area for drivers was often dirty because staff left hair from trimming and shaving in the wash area, which clogged it up. The bathrooms also smelled bad. Reception was another issue. One woman came across as over-smart and acted like she was saving guests. She should treat people better. Saying goodbye at the end doesn’t make someone a hero. Please make younger guests feel more comfortable and confident by adding or repairing the existing EV charging. It feels essential these days.