A charming weekend at the Dvara resort in Kodaikanal exceeded my expectations as it was filled with luxury, comfort, great food, and engaging activities.
I am no stranger to Kodaikanal in the Palani Hills, as I do frequent it often to visit friends and connect with nature. An impending stay at the newly launched Dvara resort in Kodaikanal got me excited as it seemed to promise newer things to see and experience. Eager to explore the new property and its surroundings, I packed my bags and drove up the Palani-Kodaikanal ghat road.
With the North-east monsoon still active, the mountains were lush with greenery and the looming rain clouds looked imposing. At the end of a four-hour-long drive, we pulled into Dvara, Kodaikanal to be greeted by the manager and his team. The property was well decorated with a sense of modern charm and the staff appeared warm and attentive.
Within minutes of arriving, I felt at ease and relaxed knowing that the experience was going to be exclusive. We were ushered to our room on the first floor which had a spectacular view of a valley ahead and rows and rows of mountains beyond.
The Dvara, Kodaikanal is a small property with just a handful of rooms ensuring a unique boutique feel compared to the larger resorts. It has all the comforts needed to make one’s stay pleasant and memorable.
Cozy slip-on shoes, the right kind of adapters to charge your phone or batteries, soft and fluffy pillows and a comfortable quilt that was just right for the winter weather; these are the little things that go a long way in making a stay perfect. The rooms and common areas are filled with large canvases, collectible art, and curios, making the décor very elegant.
The well-manicured garden was another welcoming space for us to hang out and soak in the surroundings. The view ahead was the same as from our room but it was all the more breath-taking surrounded by the fresh mountain air and the birds chirping about in the garden. Every niche inside the building and in the garden was curated tastefully and we could make any space our own oasis of calm. Time flew by watching the birds in the garden and the mountain peaks play hide and seek behind the mist and monsoon clouds.
The bonfire pit in the garden was much appreciated and thoroughly enjoyable in the evening when the temperature dropped. A dinner with bar-be-que by the bonfire was the highlight of our first evening at Dvara.
The food at Dvara is eclectic with a well-trained chef who was happy to make anything we asked for. Anglo-Indian, Mangalorean, and local cuisines were just a few in his repertoire of culinary skills. The menu changes daily but the chef gladly accommodated our requests based on what we were in the mood for.
The breakfast in the morning was elaborate with both Continental and South Indian specialties to choose from. A hot Indian breakfast of crispy podi dosas with sambhar and three varieties of chutneys was the right way to get started on a cold winter morning. Fresh cut fruits and filter coffee rounded off a scrumptious meal.
The team at Dvara offered a few interesting itineraries for us to choose from to explore the mountains. Depending on our interests we could choose between a soap-making workshop, visiting a waterfall inclusive of lunch at a nearby local farm, cheese-tasting in a cheese farm or a hike to see ancient dolmens/megaliths.
All these activities are worth exploring as they are hand-picked and away from the maddening tourist traps. But if the intention is to just laze and chill, then again there is no better place in Kodaikanal than Dvara to do the same.
After a full day of engaging in activities in Pethupaarai with our guide from Dvara, we returned back weary and ready to put our feet up. The chef pampered us with appetizers like a pepper mutton fry, wild mushroom fry and green chicken bites which were delectable. The warm chappathis with mutton ball curry and railway vegetable curry were also delicious. The rum balls served at the dinner were fudge-like and we ended our gorgeous day on that sweet note.
A comfortable stay in a luxurious setting with outstanding service along with food that was finger-licking good was enough to make me feel gratified with my trip up the mountains. The exciting and fun activities that filled our days were an added bonus and will keep us coming back to Dvara, an abode above the clouds to explore the Palani hills.
