Villas with terraces, beach access, spa & upscale dining
Radha Nagar, Beach Number 7, Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744211, India Get directions
"For the longest time, a trip to the Andamans meant picking between homestays or the only premium boutique hotel on the island. That’s changed in the past few years, with resorts like Taj Exotica Resort & Spa and Jalakara. The most recent entrant to the mix is Tilar Siro, a CGH Earth outpost on Havelock Island (now, Swaraj Dweep)."
"Set the scene.Cloaked in green, shaded by coconut, jackfruit, and banana trees, amid mangrove forests like a jungle lair or a scene from Lost. There are stilted villas with rounded thatched roofs and polished wooden interiors made from sustainable timber, all set around the delicious curve of Radhanagar Beach. Getting here is a mission in itself—fly, ferry, and drive across bumpy roads to this archipelago outpost amid a fragile eco-system. What’s the story?This is part of India's well-regarded Taj hotel group and was nearly a decade in the making thanks to various challenges with permissions and construction. The location makes the most of its setting on one of Asia's most incredible beaches, a pristine white strand surrounded by lush jungle. The hotel has been built with minimum impact on its surroundings, and no tree was felled; it’s leading the way in the region with a commitment to solar power, bio-gas, and organic produce from local farmers. What can we expect from our room?Climb white wooden steps to the standalone huts with U-shaped thatched roofs, inspired by the homes built by the islands' Jarawa people. Each has a long patio with seating, and sliding doors open to reveal a huge angular four-poster swathed in mosquito netting and enough floor space to hold a dance recital. Hidden behind a pair of sliding doors behind the bed is a spacious bathroom; to one side is a standalone tub and a large walk-in shower. If you are looking for clear ocean views, though, you may be disappointed: The beach is protected from sight by dense foliage. How about the food and drink?Excellent. The Turtle House restaurant is where breakfast is served, and also has a delicious global menu. But the standout is Settlers: The chef spent months traveling throughout the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, discovering local dishes inspired by the regions that the islands' settlers came from (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and more). Anything to say about the service?Warm and dedicated—courteous enough to make sure you're taken care of, but relaxed in a manner befitting a beach hotel. Who comes here?Indian families and experienced travelers who've already been to much of the continent; serious scuba divers and the occasional Bollywood star. How does this fit into the region?Havelock Island is the main island of the archipelago, and has a rustic, Costa Rica-meets-Maldives feel. It's also filled with lots of hostels, backpacker retreats, and two- to three-star hotels. This is the smartest place on the island, although there’s also a lovely, chic boutique hotel in the interior, and a more rustic beach hotel nearby on Radhanagar—but this is by far the most significant one in the region. All of the restaurants and dive shops are a short drive away. Anything we missed?The pool is great—high up and peeking out through the treeline for a glimpse of the ocean. The gym is also huge. But this place is all about fun on the water, and the Taj can arrange kayaking through the mangroves at night to see the bioluminescence, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, and forays to see turtles nesting. Is it worth it—and why?Definitely. Some of the most beautiful beaches and dive spots in the world are in the Andamans, and this game-changing Taj makes a lovely base from which to explore them." - Sarah Khan
"This Taj outpost is set on Havelock, an Indian island closer to Myanmar than its mother country, with dense forests and beautiful beaches. And this hotel has both: In front of it, two miles of pale, floury sand drops gently into a sapphire sea, and soaring above it are jungles of giant mahua and padauk trees that have stood here for centuries. Amid the palm trees and ponds of the landscaped, 46-acre estate are 50 contemporary villas, with whitewashed wooden walls and curvaceous roofs inspired by the homes of the indigenous Jarawa tribe. All have muslin-draped four-posters and deep bathtubs from which to admire the stars through glass-paneled ceilings. Most guests spend their days reclining on day-beds beside the Olympic-length pool, swimming in the Indian Ocean, or propping up on the long bar, chatting to the friendly staff who whip up coconut cocktails and serve sensationally light crab salads, tandoor lobster, and chicken baked in bamboo stems. For the more active there’s fishing for tuna, paddle-boarding to remote beaches, snorkeling in the clear sea, and hiking in the interior with expert naturalists; others might prefer an Ayurvedic treatment in Jiva spa. No one can fail to be impressed. FLASH POINT The waters in the mangroves surrounding Havelock are rich in phosphorescent algae: go kayaking on a moonless night for the full Tinkerbell effect. +91 22-6665-1198, tajhotels.com; doubles from about $710." - CNT Editors
"But one, Havelock Island, became more accessible this March, when Taj Exotica Resort & Spa — the Andamans' first five-star resort — opened on Radhanagar Beach." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"The Andamans’ first luxury retreat—newly opened Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, a 46-acre spread along Radhanagar Beach—was nearly a decade in the making. The islands’ heritage is evident throughout, from the Nicobari welcome song to the 72 villas on stilts with domed roofs modeled after huts of the region’s Jarawa tribe. For the Settlers restaurant, executive chef Kaushik Misra traveled throughout the archipelago to source recipes from Indian communities that migrated to the isles: steamed grouper fillet in banana leaf from the Keralites in Diglipur; lobster pepper fry from the Tamil community on Mayabunder; and a raw banana cutlet from the East Bengali refugees now living on Havelock."
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