Natalie, headed off to the swaying palms of Kerala in Southern India to stay at Manaltheeram Beach Resort and reports back on her visit:
What were your first impressions when you arrived?
I liked that it was just a 30-minute transfer from Thiruvanathapuram Airport - bliss is getting started on your holiday. I was met with a fresh coconut juice and warm smiles and just knew that I was in for a restorative time. The resort is on top of the beach, so all I could see in every direction was its golden sands and soaring palm trees - so pretty to say the least and a million miles away from the grey skies of London. I had been to Kerala before but had almost forgotten how incredibly lush it is and that it's called 'God's own country' for very good reason.
What do you think makes the resort so special?
I would say Ayurveda, as it's so pure and authentic. The Ayurveda Centre has a 'medical' feel about it - you are here to feel 'better' and the team take your treatment plan very seriously. You have an initial consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, which includes a very detailed questionnaire as well as blood pressure and weight check and then you follow the plan that they draw up for you based on the results and your goals. It's a bit startling when you first go to the Centre, as everyone is walking around in green medical gowns and muslin headwraps but these are what you are given to put on after your treatments, as you have herbal oils on your skin that need to soak in, plus, of course, it saves ruining your clothes. So don't be alarmed and, in fact, it means that you don't need to take many clothes with you.
What was your favourite treatment & why?
That's tricky because I had 2 hours of Ayurvedic treatments each day and I can honestly say that I loved them all. Shirodhara where warmed oil is continuously drizzled on your 'third eye' (in the middle of your forehead) is always a favourite as it makes me zone out within seconds and I rather like the treatment which involved warmed poultices (muslin pouches full of Ayurvedic herbs, salt and garlic) stamped all over my body to draw out impurities. The poultices are pretty hot so it's not for the faint-hearted. I thought the therapists were excellent and very 'intuitive' and I was told that continual training is the secret to maintaining the high standards here. It's quite a physical job and I was very impressed with how strong even the most lithe of them are.
What was your favourite activity & why?
I enjoyed spending time in the hammock in the garden outside my bedroom - there is something about gently swinging away whilst reading your book that makes me very content. The gardens are so pretty at Manaltheeram and there is a team of gardeners who are continually working to keep it all looking tip-top. There are plants everywhere too and I enjoyed reading all the tags on them to discover their names though I could easily recognise the huge, spiky aloe leaves.
How was the food?
It's Ayurveda all the way here and that includes the vegetarian food. There's a huge buffet at every meal time so you just help yourself based on your dosha (your mind/body make up) that the doctor establishes with you at your initial consultation. All the dishes are labelled with the dosha(s) that they are suitable for so it's very straight forward and there is a wide variety of choices from delicious curries to flavoursome salads. There's an egg chef at breakfast too which is a nice touch. You can also choose from the a la carte menu so I tended to do that in the evening and had some fabulous Indian thalis.
What was your favourite aspect of the resort & why?
I think the combination of twice daily yoga and 2 hours of Ayurveda treatments each day is hard to beat! Talk about relaxing and rejuvenating - I really did feel incredibly calm the whole time that I was there. I guess the rhythm of wellness resorts where you tend to rise early for yoga (or exercise) and go to bed early are a good way of ensuring that you are fully rested and energised and it's a good lesson to take back home. Many guests go back to Manaltheeram annually for a sort of 'MOT' and lots of people that I met were staying for a full month. I totally get that and it's definitely on my list of things to do - I have a very good idea of how amazing I would feel after a long stay. The power of Ayurveda is very special indeed.
Who would you recommend the resort to?
I would say anyone who wants to address their health properly in a 'natural' way. It's simple and homely (don't come here if you are looking for 5 star facilities) but everywhere is immaculate so what more could you want? Plus it has immense style of its own - those beach views, a glorious yoga platform overlooking the beach, the lush grounds, the yummy food - need I say more? Take yourself off there and you're pretty much guaranteed to glow by the time that you return.
Please call us on 020 3735 7555 and our team of wellness specialists will be very happy to tell you more about Manaltheeram and its sister hotel, Somatheeram.
