Blackberry Hills Munnar Nature Resort & Spa — Hotel in Kerala

There are many places you could choose to stay in Munnar, and, reader of this post, I hope you choose Blackberry Hills.

I've not been so warmly treated at a resort than I have been by the people here. And they have designed a resort on the hillside, overlooking the beautiful and unreal valley of tea below, that reflects their warmth.

Upon check-in, they brought out bags down to our room, showed us the room's layout, and continually checked with us to ensure the room would work for us and that we'd be happy staying there. We said yes, and we very much were!

Just walking around the resort is a small joy. Stunning views surrounded us and it was so cute to walk from bungalow to bungalow along their paths, by signage detailing the quaint histories and environmental efforts of the resort. In a place like Munnar where you want to just take in the views of the world around you, the outdoor meandering layout of Blackberry Hills is so much more preferable to walking through typical hotel corridors that box you away from the world.

Each morning and evening, we started and ended at the Hornbill Restaurant. And I've got to say (especially as someone who doesn't speak with hyperbole), this is my absolute favorite hotel restaurant I've ever enjoyed. The food was beyond expectation! Not everything on the menu was available each night, but that's because ingredients are bought fresh. (Plus, the dinner menu is enormous and offers you more than you could order, so it's no issue at all.) I was so charmed that on the first night, they didn't have spinach for palak paneer, but when sitting down for dinner on our second night, they remembered us and noted that they did have spinach that night! The menu prices are also very reasonable and we were so happy to eat there for all of our meals in Munnar without a second thought. The seating and lighting inside were so cozy. On our second night in Munnar, a heavy rain storm swept through and the Hornbill was such a comfortable refuge. Listening to the wind and rain while eating delicious, warm food as banks of foggy clouds crawled across the hills and past the restaurant windows. We didn't want to leave!

But when we did leave the Hornbill after dinner on our first, we were greeted by the glowing warmth of a campfire pit in the terrace outside. We took a seat and nestled up to the heat. Within minutes, a kitten popped their head out from a bush, meowed, and came over to say hello. There are a handful of rescue kittens and dogs who visited with us around the nighttime campfire (all of whom were sweethearts looking for some scratches and pets).

We chatted lightly with some of the other guests and staff as we sat around the fire. And gosh, yeah, it was as cozy as it sounds.

I know we were only there for the shortest of times and I recognize the constant effort that goes into making guests feel welcome and comfortable, but for those 2 days, everyone we met really did feel like a friend.

My partner even visited the spa and received an ayurvedic oil treatment and massage, which she enjoyed after a long day trekking around Munnar's tea plantations.

Even with some small, oddball requests of currency exchange, taxi reservation, I felt so grateful to have their assistance. I am prone to worry about details, and I felt so reassured when they offered to help for my travel plans in and out of Munnar.

Anyway, there's too much to say, but we really enjoyed staying here! And I hope you do too.

And on a note for anyone wondering about drinking water: all of the water provided in glass bottles at the resort is UV purified and totally safe to drink, even for Westerners such as myself! So reduce plastic waste, drink up, and hydrate!

Oh, and a little scavenger hunt mission for you: if you do stay, go find the sign about Ikroop and read...

It was only a picture in our mind how the resort would look when we 1st saw the webpages and reviews on the internet of this mini resort. It had all the combinations of a great holiday destination for couples or families when you would just like to be around nature. We took the Cirrus room for the balcony view of the tea plantations and it did not disappoint us at all. Every morning we felt among the clouds opening up to nature's bounty. Far away each morning, we could see the tea leaf pickers and tea factory trucks, a small village of the tea estate and by late evening the whole place would be a star light  landscape.

We two visited on our anniversary in peak of monsoon from 21st-24th July 2023.

Best part about the room : Simple Decoration but well maintained its small details inspite of being so old property. We very much liked the way everyday post room cleaning, the resort staff would make "Beautifully shaped Murals" out of the Bathroom towels. A peacock, a lotus or even Lord Ganesha. Our minds would be refreshed every day we came back from our site seeing trip. Basic amenities were always available and vigilant staff would consider our in-room requests inspite of the incessant rains.

Hornbill restaurant : The staff , the food and the hospitality lived up to its name. Each dish that we took was tasty and as per our taste buds. Quantity was good enough for two of us and dinner evenings were awaited. Due to less visitor in off-season we were lucky to get some made of order dishes likes the fluffy Appam with Egg curry and on a Sunday the buffet was excellent. For me the strawberry juice, the sausage starter and even the south indian dosa were so light and tasty. We also received due attention each day and recommendations on some local dishes. To our surprise the Phulkas we ate were one of the fluffiest eaten in any restaurant !!

The Property : I am a nature and bird lover , bird watcher and bird photographer. The fact that I found the property too promoting bird life was itself a happy moment. The restaurant was good example of a mini exhibition of the bird species around the property. I atleast spotted 8-10 types of birds even in the rains including the Greater Racket Tailed Drongo (not mentioned in the resort's own special bird booklet). Due to continuous rains, we missed the in-house Shola trek within the property. But as we walked inside the property with our umbrellas on every day, the views , the experience, the peaceful nature was mesmerising. We missed exploring it to its fullest. Though there are multiple spots to get clicked inside,the best photo opportunities are at the open spot (with Blackberry Label hug between 2 polls ) near Hornbill restaurants.

So never miss it !!

A absolute nature lover could just spend time inside the property identifying the different plants, flower and insect species.

The recreational room brought out in us our inner childhood with all the board games. Each day before dinner we played atleast one of those games. May be in a season kids wont allow us ;) , so it was our time in off season :D

The blackberry hill estate map (painted by hand), the flying architect project , the Sisal Spa (we couldn't experience), the main lobby entrance with Red Buddha in a lotus pond, the buggy ride, the steps leading to the rooms, the plantations and the hospitable staff managing the property were just among the few memorable things we admired and enjoyed to the fullest.

If you are a nature lover, come to this property. It will be in your mind forever !!

Best wishes to the management and staff for completing 19 years !!

More good...

Excellent hospitality and beautiful location. We initially planned the stay for 2 days but extended the stay to one more day. I travelled with my toddler during the red alert period in Idukki but didn't face any issues in reaching the resort via kochin from Kollam. The route to the resort is scenic and covered with mist. As soon as we reached the staff welcomed us with a traditional 'Nellikka kashayam' which was very refreshing. They even offered us a complimentary upgrade and requested us to choose after viewing the room categories. The resort has ample space and there was only one more family staying in the resort in addition to us. We were taken down in the buggy to view the rooms which my toddler thoroughly enjoyed. We stuck with our initial choice of 'Nimbus Category' room which doesn't have a balcony but has an open sit-out facing the hills and bathtub. Gives the feel of an independent cottage , though on the ground floor. The view is partially covered with tree branches but few steps and the you get an unrestricted valley view. The tub was spotlessly clean but the shower enclosure was old. Hot water is not a problem as water heater is solar powered and available 24*7. My toddler spend most of her time playing in the tub and watching the birds and butterflies visiting the property. On request they provide us bathroom slippers and additional floor mats for bathroom. They have 4 lovely rescue dogs on the premises who runs around in the early mornings. Every morning we walk down to their 'Hornbill restaurant' to enjoy a cup of tea and bask in the morning sunlight and unmatched views. The food menu is limited but feel free to ask the chef for specials. They were always ready to customize the meal for my toddler. Plus they arranged drinks on request. The complimentary breakfast had limited choice but was prepared freshly on request. They didn't have a buffet breakfast when we travelled due to limited occupancy. We wished the breakfast could have had more variations during the stay but definitely what they serve is very tasty. Food pricing is reasonable and not over-priced (comparable to other hotels in Munnar as we travel often). We also opted for the SPA and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. SPA again is very reasonably priced. You can ask for the SPA menu and price even before doing the booking. Also you get excellent discounts when you book a room directly with the property and can change the dates though not refundable. Princy from the travel desk made the booking a smooth experience. The lady from the front desk (Tintu) and manager Madan and all other staff was always ready to help us. They also have a trekking trail named 'SHOLA trek' down hill but we didn't get a chance to explore the same. Also beware of little leeches on the grass, a pinch of salt and they are gone for good :). The only feedback for the management is to introduce a kids play area and add more items to the food menu. Note: Recommend this offbeat stay to everyone for the beautiful valley view, nature stay, quality SPA, hospitality and space to...