DESIGN : VIVANTA BY TAJ – BEKAL
Come sail away
INSPIRED BY LOCAL RIVERBOATS , VIVANTA BY TAJ – BEKAL IS DESIGNED TO KEEP GUESTS HAPPILY MOORED .
By Nathan Greenhalgh , associate editor
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VIVANTA BY TAJ – BEKAL
GUESTROOMS : 73 guestrooms and suites that feature private courtyards with outdoor dining areas , private rain showers and soaking tubs ( some with plunge pools ) and all featuring Wi-Fi , LCD televisions and a personal coffee bar
HISTORY : A new-build hotel , design work began in 2005
OPENED : DECEMBER 2011
LOCATION : While Kerala is a well-known tourist destination , Bekal , located in the northern part of the state , is not
OWNER : Khanna Hotels , Mumbai
MANAGEMENT : Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces , Mumbai
DESIGNER : Grounds Kent Architects , Fremantle , Australia
DESIGN AESTHETIC : Tropical resort with strong attachment to local culture and architecture and an emphasis on creating an atmosphere of romance and sense of place
KEY FEATURES : Jiva Grande Spa , which features a dedicated Ayurveda facility ; Ivory , a dome-shaped island bar with water garden moat
34 HOTELS May 2012 www . hotelsmag . com