Coffee cultivation has a long history in India, and the south of the country is where the first plantations were set up. The four southern states are the only places in the country to grow it, and for all those looking for a new spot to escape the chaos of the city, they happen to look quite beautiful, too.
Luckily for us, there are quite a few coffee plantation resorts and other lodges in the region you can spend a relaxing weekend at.
About a five hour drive away from Bangalore, Flameback Lodges is a complete escape to the wild. Quite literally, too, as it’s surrounded by the dense rainforest of the Western Ghats. If you’re feeling particularly wild, you can go and check out some of the wildlife at the nearby Kudremukh National Park or Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. Or you can just hop into the jacuzzi and take a nap, too.
It should be obvious, but just to be sure, do try their coffee.
Where: Flameback Lodges, Billur Post, Pattadur Village, Mudigere Taluk, Chikkamagalur District, Karnataka {262km from Banaglore}
Best Time To Go: June – September; December – February
Price: Starting at INR 12,000
Contact: +91 9242714197, + 91 9448379748, +91 9241229489
Find out more here.
Situated in Coorg, a region as popular for its coffee as its scenic beauty, the Orange Country Luxury Resorts is built around pepper and coffee plantations. You can do a lot of things here {apart from staying in the luxurious rooms, of course}, like trekking and exploring the area, though we highly recommend checking out the elephant camp nearby.
Apart from the coffee, also try their assortment of organic spices and other food items from local farms in the region.
Where: Orange County Resorts, Siddapur, Coorg, Karnataka {255 kms from Bangalore}
Best Time To Go: September – February
Price: INR 25,000 + taxes a night per room, INR 35,000 + taxes a night per room {December – January}
Contact: +91 8274258481 or write to coorg@orangecounty.in
Find out more here.
While Tranquil Resorts is technically a resort, the hospitable and familial environment gives it the aura of a home away from home. It’s located in the rainforests of Wayanad in Kerala, and houses coffee and vanilla plantations in a huge 400 acre area.
If you’re planning to go, try to book early to get their tree house.
Where: Kolagappara-Ambalavayal Road, Kolagappara, Kerala 673591, India {265 km from Bangalore}
Best time to go: November – February
Price: Starting at INR 9,000
Contact: +91 7053126407 or write to tranquilresort@gmail.com
Find out more here.
Built on a hillside, Vivanta by Taj-Madikeri in Coorg wins when it comes to location. While there are plenty of mountains and waterfalls to explore here, the resort itself offers a plethora of options to indulge in, with a separate spa, 24-hr Wi-Fi, beauty salon, organic nursery/kitchen and plenty of other arrangements to while away your time with.
As a bonus, every room comes with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.
Where: 1st Monnageri, Galibeedu Post, Madikeri, Coorg, Karnataka {262 kms from Bangalore}
Best time to go: September – April
Price: Starting at INR 14,500
Contact: 022 66011825
Find out more here.
With rolling slopes of bright green and perpetually cloudy and pleasant weather, Munnar is already a favoured destination among nature lovers. And The Windermere Estate gives you a chance to see it up close. The estate is a series of bungalows—built among coffee, tea and spice plantations—that you can rent. There are a lot of herb and spice plantations to see around here, so make sure to pack a rugged pair of shoes for the long walks in the hills.
Where: Munnar-Bison Valley Road, Pothamedu, Munnar, Kerala 685612 {481 kms from Bangalore}
Best time to go: December – February
Price: Starting at INR 7,700
Contact: +91 4842425237, +91 4842427575
Find out more here.