The Windflower Resort and Spa, Vythiri- Re-connect and Rejuvinate

June 25, 2016
1,114 Comments

Delhi tends to take a toll on
your lifestyle with its sweltering heat and rising pollution level. That’s when
I decided to take a break and connect with myself amidst peaceful surrounding.
My calling was God’s own country – Kerala. I was hosted by The Windflower Resort and Spa Vythiri. 

Located amidst lush coffee and tea plantations in Wayanad, the Windflower Resort and Spa is a jewel of  Kerala  that is tranquil and mesmerizing. 

The resort
is made on coffee plantations, retaining the traditional Kerala culture and
warmth of the local people.  Swaying palm trees, tea plantations
and mist became a part of my dreams the moment I boarded the Jet Airways flight
to Bangalore from Delhi. The flight takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to
reach. I arrived at the airport on time and was welcomed by the driver from
Windflower Resort and Spa.

The Windflower Resort and Spa – Mysore
I boarded the cab and started my
journey to Mysore for a brief transit. We reached the Mysore Windflower Resort
and Spa within 3 hours. A warm welcome by the staff dressed in traditional
south Indian attire brought a smile on my face.
The journey was a bit tiring which
soon disappeared with the warmth and affection of the staff. A hot traditional
meal made by the vegetables grown in-house was waiting for me prepared by the
talented chef of the resort.
The lunch was ecstatic and
refreshed me further to resume my journey to Windflower Resort and Spa Vythiri
in Wayanad, that was 3 hours drive from Mysore.
Nature at its best – Wayanad tea plantations
The odyssey towards the resort
is as enchanting as the destination. Swaying trees all lined up on the way was
a blissful sight. A forest reserve area with animals and birds in their full glory
can also be witnessed.
It started raining on the way,
but the gleaming leaves accentuated the beauty of the landscaping.
I could feel myself starting to unwind as I left behind the noise and
congestion of the metropolitan city.
The further up the hillside you
go, the quieter life becomes and the dense forest rises up the hillside behind.
Each time this year when the monsoon comes knocking in this part, the tea
plantations are at their best.
As we round the last hillock, my shoulders tend
to relax. The atmosphere has changed drastically, and a more peaceful scene
comes into view – the calm after the storm.
The passage to heaven
Once you reach the Resort, one of
the first things you notice is the lush greenery on both sides of the resort. The
management of the resort and spa has spent a lot of time and money on the
landscaping and water features to complete the overall feeling of relaxation.
The expansive 25 acres of
luxurious landscaping, the majority of this being beautifully manicured with
large swathes of grass and an abundance of water features, with the Buddha
statue mesmerized me to a level I cannot express.
The Windflower Resort and Spa Vythiri reception area is a work of architectural art with high wooden ceilings, a
water feature and comfortable large sofas to stretch out upon.
A large earthen
bowl with seasonal flowers makes the welcome more alluring. From the moment you
arrive, you know you are in good hands. The array of artwork in the lobby gives
the hotel a very creative atmosphere.
The hospitable and attentive
staff ensure your check in is pleasant and seamless. They are polite, helpful
and genuinely happy to serve. I was escorted to my own private
haven, a villa, aptly referred to as ‘A home away from home’. There are a
variety of rooms and suites available, all offering magnificent plantation views
and all come with spacious private balconies.
The main areas within the resort
are well connected by covered walkways to protect you from any unforeseen
downpours. Windflower Resort & Spa Vythiri is situated on 25 acres of coffee plantations which means that at no time do
you feel cramped or hemmed in.
There are suites and villas in the expansive property.
Whatever accommodation you decide to stay in, you will find it well equipped
with high quality linens, and free wireless internet available throughout the
resort.
On my way, one of the striking
things that I noticed is the attention to detail, whether it is the greenery or
the general construction. The villas and suites within the resort are of a
modern contemporary design, with plenty of internal wood and high ceilings
complimented by a multitude of lights.
Accommodation with balconies have wonderful
views, plantation set up to resemble a traditional Kerala village, all surrounded
by coconut trees and tea plantations.
My luxury abode – My personal villa
My villa had every detail in
check. Large beds, with excellent mattresses that ensured comfortable
re-energizing night’s sleep, an LCD TV with a wide range of satellite channels
including CNN, Star, Sony and the major movie channels.
The usual conveniences expected
of a high quality resort included an electronic safe, mini-bar, hair-dryer,
lotions and a well appointed bathroom.
Private Jacuzzi overlooking the mountains
Besides that my villa had a private
balcony, a dedicated lounge area and separate desk if you will feel like
working. To complete the romantic ambiance there is also a forest view Jacuzzi
tub which I simply loved.
The experience in the shower that
overlooks the green belt is mesmerizing. The privacy is uncompressing and the
feeling is luxury at par with the royals.
After a warm shower, I was escorted
to the dining area where a candle lit dinner was organized for me. Dining under
the stars has always been my fantasy and the dream came true with Windflower.
The
General Manager of the resort, Mr. Vinod who joined me at the dinner table
briefed me about the property. His knowledge about the nearby villages and the
culture was reflecting in his words. A warm mint tea with traditional
Southern delicacies made my palette satiated and heart content.
 I was escorted
back to my villa and was soon fast asleep tucked inside the warm blankets with
my head rested on soft pillows. The temperature was perfect without the Air
conditioners. I slept like a log and was woken up by the melodious sounds of
birds chirping in my balcony.
It was 6 AM and I freshened up to
go for walk around the property. I glanced at the flowerbeds and shrubbery,
trees and bushes manicured to very high standards, villas and suites all clean
and well maintained. The water features are also of particular note, with ponds
stocked with fish all accompanied with the soothing sound of running water.
The poolside adjoining the spa

The pool within the Resort is
truly a sight to behold. This huge pool is complimented by a well manicured
garden. Surrounding the pool are various sections to relax with like sun
loungers, tables and chairs strategically placed within the landscaped grounds.

Coupled with studying the wide
variety of flora and fauna, listening to the sound of running water and gazing
at the coffee plantations, I could feel a certain connection with Nature.

I
found just walking around the extensively landscaped grounds and gardens enough
exercise to prepare myself for a scrumptious breakfast.

Dining at Windflower Resort and Spa Vythiri
 
After a friendly greeting I was
directed to the dining area. The restaurant is huge, bisected with beautiful
ornate columns with a buffet and kitchen section on the far side that extends
the full width of the restaurant.
The outdoor of the restaurant was the perfect
place to dine while enjoying the beautiful surrounding echoing purity and freshness.
The gentle downpour the night before left a clean refreshed look in the
atmosphere, where every leaf shone and glistened.
A scrumptious breakfast served with love

The range of breakfast buffet
consisted of various freshly cooked traditional dishes, a wide range of
contemporary and western food, a huge range of bread and pastries, yogurts,
fresh fruit, freshly squeezed juices and a selection of cereals.

The chef and the staff were very
eager to please the guests and such requests as freshly made dosas filled with stuffings
were greeted very warmly.

It wasn’t just the chefs that
were eager to please; the waiting staff was also highly attentive and was fast,
polite and efficient.

After literally stuffing myself with food from traditional
and contemporary varieties, it then dawned on me that the huge array of
desserts was waiting to be sampled.
These consisted of a multitude of freshly
sweet breads, ornately decorated cake desserts, traditional Southern desserts
and many more. The food was all cooked and presented to a high standard
prompting us to remark that it was one of the best buffets that I have had the
pleasure of eating.
I distinctly remember one
particular moment, I had just sat down thinking to myself ‘I’d love a cup of min
tea’ and just at that moment a member of the waiting staff came over and said
to me ‘Would you like some mint tea, madam?’ unbelievable, but true!
After the enriching breakfast, it
was time to go for a tour around the quaint village Wayanad. The pristine tea
plantations are friendly to guests, so each time a passerby went across, he
would wave his hand with a welcoming gesture that totally floored me.
The
surreal view from the plantations made me realize I was in heaven. The mist on
every mountain transcended so beautifully that it felt God was using his
magical strokes to refresh his own creation.
The nearby tea plantation factory
is the tour that the resort always has in store for the guests. The process of
tea plucking and processing through various machines is explained by the
manager of the factory during the walkthrough. It was amazing to watch the
preparation of the most loved beverage of our country.
We visited the nearby dam to
witness a large lake that had some sports activities like jet skiing and
boating and then went to an adventure camp that had kayaking and flying fox as
their major attraction. It was lunch time, and we retired back to the resort.
Sadiya Onam – The Traditional Feast
The staff had a wonderful
surprise planned for me at the resort. A beautiful arrangement of local flowers
and a platter of colorful dishes spread on a banana leaf was the surprise
element in store for me.
The occasional feat called Onam Sandhya usually is
arranged for guests on special request that comprises of traditional South
Indian delicacies prepared by the culinary team.
Each bite into the dish
transcended me to the authentic flavors of the South. I devoured the platter made by the team with so much love. A walk was necessary after the
gigantic feast.

The Spa Experience

I walked towards the spa and pool area, admiring the vast landscaping.
As I reached the spa, I was welcomed by the spa manager who handed me a form to
fill with my basic details.

The Spa – Tranquility and Rejuvination
In the spa’s relaxation room, I cuddled up in a soft robe. My therapists introduced
themselves with folded hands.
I indulged in the spa’s signature Ayurveda
massage called ‘Abhyangam’ with traditional oil.
After a small prayer offered
to the Goddess, one of them starts with a head massage pressing every nerve of my head
and relaxing my temples, neck and shoulders.
Then, I was made to lie facing
downwards. With a generous amount of oil, they expertly massaged away any
tension that could possibly be left in my body.
A combination of rhythmic
strokes, joint movement and deep kneading loosened and set my body at ease.
When the treatment got over, I took a shower using natural body scrubs made
with Indian herbs devoid of any chemicals. After the shower, I walked towards
the spa lobby, gleaming and glowing with freshness.

The wonderful experience at the
Spa left me rejuvenated. I worked up an appetite and moved towards the dining
area where Mr. Vinod was waiting for me. We had dinner in the outdoors where
the chef served some traditional delicacies to savor. I was tired and soon
retired to bed thereafter.
The next morning, it was time to
bid adieu to the beautiful paradise and move towards my next destination Mysore
where the Windflower Resorts and Spa had chartered another fulfilling itenary
for me.
The Windflower Resort and Spa Vythiri reveals tranquil essence of life where you experience a pause in life. This
pause makes you aware of your conscience and helps you to connect with yourself
completely.
Summary
 
The Windflower Resort and Spa helps
you unwind and relax while providing enough activities to cater for those that
wish to do a little more than that. The Resort is very well maintained, the
staff attentive and the landscaped grounds outstanding. For those looking to find some
relaxation time away from the chaotic and stressful city lives, this place is
perfect.

Address:
 
The Windflower Resorts And Spa
Annapoorna Estate, Survey No. 40/ 2B
Resurvey No. 330/1, Achoornam Village,

Vythiri Taluk, Wayanad District, Kerala

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