Our family, a group of 4, stayed at The Tall Trees, Munnar for two nights last week, and I am recounting my experience below:
The hotel is located 8 km from Munnar town center, and away from all the hustle and bustle. Typically for a mountain-area hotel, the place is so full of ups and downs - you have to walk about 20m uphill for breakfast, and 10m downhill to reach your cottage. And SO full of trees - mostly cardamom and some teak-variety tall trees(hence the name).
We arrived around 12.30 pm from Kochi, having driven about 4 hours. The interior of the complex was quite dark, even though sun was up and shining, presenting itself thru the occassional gaps in the trees. We went immediately for lunch(a-la-carte, as it wasnt included in our package). They have two restaurants - one with a glass roof, and one open air. We took the lunch at the open air restaurant. Food was excellent, though late in arriving. We spent the waiting time, climbing up the ladder to the’houses’ installed at the nearby trees. They also have Rappelling - travelling by hanging from a cable - as part of their adventure sports, operating from these treetops, but there was no coach available at the moment, so we couldnt do it.(Truth to tell, we were also scared)
Back to the room, walking 15 minutes downhill. I tried to find one artificial component in the room, but could not(ok, there was the telephone). Every thing is made of wood or coir or some naturally occurring material, and very tastefully too. A large bed to accommodate all four of us(myself, wife, children 7 years and 20 months old); a very pleasant-smelling and refreshing piece of soap(was it made of some nannari root?), a coffee/tea maker with adequate supply of milk powder, coffee and tea bags - small though these things are, they still stay in my mind.
We spent the afternoon walking around Tall Trees, playing in the kid’s play area, walking out for a view of the sunset amid the tea plantations nearby, and playing TT/carrom in the recreation center. Dinner was excellent too(buffet, Rs 350 per person, complimentary for the kids), even for us vegetarians. The waiters are extremely friendly, and I should say we got personalized service.
We woke up next morning to the chirps of birds - one particular variety kept making a sound very much like’Happy birthday to you’. Even till 8.30 am, when we we had finished breakfast and left for breakfast, there was not much sun except thru the crevices, so wooded is the place!
All in all, an unforgettable place, I dare say, the Best of Munnar!