Periyar National Park, Kerala Holidays, India

Set in a leafy compound on the edge of Kumily town, CGH Earth’s Spice Village is located only a short drive from the main gates of the Periyar National Park – ideal for early morning elephant-spotting safaris on Periyar Lake. Guests stay in pretty stone cottages, thatched in local grass but with warm, relaxing, 1930s-style interiors and hot showers in the bathrooms.

The colonial ambience extends to the Woodhouse Bar, where you can sip gin and tonic on the verandah before enjoying a gourmet Keralan supper at the Tiffin Room, with its antique rosewood tables and paddle fans. The hotel also has a generous-sized outdoor pool and Ayurveda spa.

Our opinion

An atmospheric hotel in Kumily village with easy access to Periyar National Park with a nice pool and billiards room.