Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort & Spa, Thekkady

We had a fantastic stay at Amritara Resort, Periyar. The property is very large and beautifully spread out amidst nature. It truly feels like you are staying in the middle of a serene natural setting. The rooms are spacious, well-designed, and blend nicely with the surrounding greenery. The overall ambiance is peaceful and refreshing. The restaurant is nice, though they could improve or expand the food options slightly. The resort is about 4 km away from the city centre, but honestly, that doesn’t matter because the peaceful location adds to the charm. We visited on December 25 and absolutely loved our experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a relaxing stay close to nature.

We planned a one-day family stay at Amritara Shalimar Spice Garden Resort with my parents and my brother, booking a Pool Cottage and a Signature Cottage. It was meant to be a short, quiet break, and in many ways, the property delivered exactly that. What truly stood out was the staff. Every interaction — from the reception desk to housekeeping to the restaurant — felt warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. Our early check-in request was handled gracefully, with the Signature Cottage made available early, which immediately set a positive tone. Kudos to some special people - The receptionist was always around, always checking in, and made sure we were comfortable throughout. The spa therapist delivered a wonderfully relaxing massage and took the time to share stories about the resort, which made the experience feel personal rather than transactional. Housekeeping kept the rooms spotless, the wait staff were polite and patient, and the luggage service made moving around the property much easier, especially since we were travelling with elderly parents. There was a genuine sense that the staff enjoy working here, and that warmth carries through the stay. The cottages themselves are beautifully maintained and very clean, with a rustic, old-world Kerala charm that has been thoughtfully preserved alongside modern amenities. Bathrooms were spacious and well equipped. The private pool was a highlight — clean, temperature-controlled, and perfect for long, unhurried hours. We spent a lot of time in the pool and on the patio, enjoying the complete silence. You hear nothing from the outside world, which makes it feel like a true retreat. Mobile network was surprisingly good, though the Wi-Fi could be better. The spa experience was excellent and reasonably priced. In the evening, the staff also took care of mosquito control with camphor and repellents, and we didn’t encounter any issues at all, which added to the overall comfort. There are a few areas that could be improved. Accessibility is one of them — the cottages are reached via roughly 60 rocky steps, which can be tiring for elderly guests. My parents managed, but repeated trips, especially to the restaurant, were not easy, and a buggy service would make a big difference. The bedding was another small letdown; while the beds were comfortable, the linens felt slightly damp and could benefit from an upgrade. Food was a mixed experience. Lunch was ordered via room service and took quite some time to arrive, and the quality was fairly average. Dinner was slightly better but still nothing memorable. Breakfast, however, was genuinely good and easily the best meal of the stay. Overall, despite a few shortcomings — mainly accessibility, food consistency, and bedding — this stay was memorable because of the people, the calm isolation, the heritage charm, and the spa experience. With a few refinements, this resort could be truly exceptional.

The resort is very nice but the staff at the reception was not the great. All females working not very friendly. Plus check out time they been pushing us to leave by 10 am. We didn't see the room and she started all that. For our driver they treated very bad about food. All humans should be treated equally regarding the food. Our driver never got place to sleep over night and he had to sleep in the car. Lady around the checkout said your driver didn't wash his plate and more. Hotel is nice. Kitchen staff is very nice. But the other staff needs to improve their customer services.

Went there for honeymoon - didn't regret! The villa was set apart from the chaos, nestled within forest alongwith a temperature controlled private pool! The decoration came with an additional cost but was done beautifully. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. Food was really good and Christmas night show was amazing too! Overall, a 9/10 for sure. Would definitely be back here - especially for the peaceful set and the people.

I am giving 3 stars only. Reduced 1 star because of the over-smart lady in reception who thinks she is the savior of guests. She must behave well to others. A good bye message at the end is not going to make you get any heroism. Another star is reduced because of the drivers bathroom area that is being always been made dirty by the staff. Someone trimmed his hair and carelessly shaved it off to the wash area and it got clogged. Bathrooms have bad smell. +1 star for continuous hot water. +1 star for food taste. +1 star for the silence in the location Another noticeable positive thing in this hotel is 24 hrs security and friendly MALE staff. My request to you to make new gen guests more comfortable and confident is to just add or repair the existing ev charging. This is much essential in this era.

Very nice place generally. Only problem in restaurant. They let fat man eat all meat from curry buffet. I watch him, he very skilful. Think he had much practice. He a little mad I think, I hear him mutter to self “better get the meat before Gerry has it all”. He sound English but not look like.

Had a wonderful time at this resort! Food was delicious, staff super friendly, and the atmosphere was super chill. Rooms were spotless and well-maintained. Can't wait to come back!

Attitude of female receptionist 🤮 Dear you are just a staff. Not the savior of all guests. Also no ev charging facilities. We had a hard time. But loved the roofing made with palm tree leaves. It gave a rustic style to cottages. Room was clean.