An old estate, cradled by clouds and coffee
The story of Windermere Estate begins in the 1940s, with the establishment of a cardamom plantation by Indian planters who were the first to inhabit the estate. This owner-run homestay in Munnar was named Windermere, after the rolling hills and mist-covered valleys that reminded the early owners of Lake Windermere in the UK. In 1987, Dr. Simon John, an eye surgeon from Kochi, stumbled upon a charming cottage on the hill, which sparked his interest. Initially bought for agricultural purposes, the estate eventually transformed into a boutique retreat. Dr. Simon, along with his wife Molly, and their sons John and Mathew, took on the venture as a family-run business, preserving the estate's original charm while adding more rooms and features over time.
Located on a 60-acre working cardamom estate, Windermere covers three acres, nestled on a small hillock. The 18 rooms are spread across five chalet-style structures, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere that blends seamlessly with the family home. The retreat includes a swimming pool with stunning views of the tea estates, a reading room, and a cozy dining area. There are also quiet corners throughout the property, including a vantage point atop a large boulder, perfect for guests to unwind in nature. Today, Windermere continues to offer a peaceful, intimate experience for its guests, maintaining its timeless charm while providing modern comforts. It is a homestay in Munnar where guests can connect with nature and a part of history, passed down through generations.
A total of 18 rooms are in four categories but all of them are spacious with the minimum area of plus 500 sq ft. They are constructed in units with each one having two to four rooms. The path to the rooms is well lit and even in monsoons they have easy access.
Tucked into the garden level, these rooms open out into greenery and quiet. Each has a private sit out to soak in the misty mornings, with solid wood furniture and soft cottons adding to the homely comfort. There is a calm here that settles in slowly, just like the breeze through Munnar’s trees.
Garden View
8 rooms
2 + 0
355 sq ft
Perched on the upper floor, these rooms bring you closer to the trees and the sounds of the hills. A private balcony looks out into green slopes, perfect for slow mornings. Thoughtfully designed with warmth and comfort in mind, these rooms feel like a quiet pause in the middle of nature.
Garden View
500 sq ft
2 + 1
8 rooms
Set beside the original Planters Bungalow, these rooms offer quiet seclusion and sweeping views of the hills. With wooden floors, large windows, and a sunlit balcony, they bring the outdoors in. A perfect spot to watch the sunrise or simply stay still and take it all in.
Garden View
2 rooms
2 + 1
950 sq ft
Price Description: The price displayed is the lowest seasonal rates for double occupancy and includes all taxes and accommodation with the meals mentioned below. Prices may change with the season, especially during the peak season months.
Meals: Breakfast
Extra Note: Extra Bed per person charges is applicable for one extra bed only in Estate & Planters rooms.
Third Person/Child: Third Person: Rs 4720 (above 12 years), Child price: Rs 2950 (6 - 12 years)
Raahghar Payment Terms: Reservation is confirmed with an advance payment of 50% of the total amount at the time of booking. The balance payment is to be made 7 days prior to check-in.
Cancellation Policy (Indian Passport Holders Only):
In case of a cancellation due to any unforeseen circumstance a credit note will be issued by the property to the guest for the amount paid till date.
The credit note will be valid for use within one year from the period of booking. The guest can redeem the credit note against the amount of any future booking within a year and pay the balance if any as per the rates applicable on that date. This credit note is also transferable and can be used by the guest/transferee only once within the stipulated date.
Raahghar would keep your credit card information secured with us and it won't be charged unless needed.
Kochi International Airport is the nearest, 3 hrs away (107 Kms).
Aluva is the nearest Railway Station, 3 hrs away (109 Kms). Ernakulam Railway Station is 3.5 hrs away (126 Kms).
20mins from Munnar town (6Kms), 3.5 hrs drive from Kochi (127 Kms).
There is a deviation from Munnar on the road towards Cochin, after which the road gets narrow until you approach the last 200 metres of plantation road that leads to the property. There is plenty of parking around the reception from where you would be guided towards your rooms.
The Vantage Point at Windermere is intensely private, accessible exclusively to their guests, via a rough-hewn stairway carved into the boulder at the centre of the property. When you reach the top, you’ll find a private balcony with a 360 degree view of the Western Ghats, perfect to watch the sunrise & sunsets.
Food waste at the homestay is fed into an in-house biodigester, turning it into biogas for the kitchen and manure for the garden. Water from the rooms is treated and reused to nourish the coffee plants across the estate.
Built gently into a quiet hillock, the home was made using locally sourced materials - like handloom fabrics, earthy tiles, and reclaimed wood. Even the trees and rocks were left untouched, just as they were.
Will be displayed soon.
