The CGH group runs luxury boutique properties across Kerala and are known for their commitment to the local community as well as looking at their own environmental impact when they build. So while I usually talk of the Ayurveda, spa and wellness aspects of places I stay at, this time I was interested in their sustainability creds. Sustainability is a buzz word and its important o see if hotels walk their talk . Spice village in Periyar/Thekkady is a small boutique property with huts based on tribal homes. I was there on a personal visit in early February and here are some of my impressions .
Guest Huts based on the traditional Irula tribal homes with elephant grass thatching The philosophy that guides the property = revival and conservation Garli cand bird’s eye infused honey – just some of the wild honey infusions ( ginger, nutmeg, spiced, peppper were some of the others) on offer at breakfast . The garlic honey was delicious !Kodo millet ‘rice’ A water bottling plant on the property to meet drinking water needs- plastic bottles are discouraged . The filtration process explained in detail from rain water to drinking water Bottles ready for the guest rooms organic vegetable garden the organic garden on the property – broccoli, cabbage , figs, salad leaves , spincah were some of the veggies in season when I visited Pest control measures using natural methods – neem, eucalyptus, marigold, tobacco extracts . I was happy to hear that hotel employees are encouraged to have roganic veggie patches in their own plots ( many are local employees ) after being trained in responsible organic methods and then the hotel buys back the produce from them loved the unexpected lush blooms across the 12 acre property A small paper making unit on the property is managed by two local women who convert old newspaper, packaging, etc into paper that is used for guest stationary and note pads .You can also make your own with little blocks to impress your own design – check the leaf imprint we tried A Solar energy unit fittingly called Surya kanthi – solar energy is used in all rooms though they are not hundred percent solar energy sufficient . By the way there is no airconditioning, heating or televisions in the rooms but the geysers work well and since we had temperatures from 16 – 19 degrees I was happy to have hot water 🙂 figs across the property – some edible , some not pepper vines Indian pita bird watching us tramping through its domain 🙂 Well labelled trees and bushes across the property Yes we saw a little snake – it has a charming name because of its markings like a necklace but I hv forgotten the name 🙂 Not poisonous Resident Naturalist Mr Girish Kumar – a fund of information on the region and its flora and fauna Classic Kerala tea time snack – fried banana . Don’t think of the calories – it’s perfect after a long trek with cardomom tea . Dinner on the verandah Elephant grass thatching. About 16 layers of woven grass of which the top layers have to be replaced every two years – all hand made We were on the edge of the Periyar reserve so it’s easy to walk down to the forest office for your boat or trek . I didn’t see any tiger or elephant for that matter but did a beautiful 10 km forest walk with birds, gaur, deer, langurs and giant squirrels
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