Indias immense natural and cultural diversity is increasingly finding an echo in its hotels. With stress on vernacular aspects gaining ground in contemporary hotel architecture, hotels are beginning to stamp a strong sense of place. A sample of Kerala
hotel videos reflect the point Im making. From Kozhikode down to Poovar, Kerala is taking great pride in its hotel architecture. A style that is taking its building cues from local traditions. To think that one could do without airconditioning in a hotel lobby in Kerala in May would take some convincing. Interviewing the architect of Kadavu Resort brought home this realization in no uncertain way. Harnessing the river side location, he had created roofs with steep slopes that kept direct sunlight at bay. This coupled with openings in the walls, ensured that air corridors were formed. The hotel is a perfect example of energy conservation without compromising on the standards of comfort that a well heeled international traveler would be used to.
Keralas hotels are giving a contemporary edge to its age old building traditions. Fort Kochi, Kumarkom and the entire stretch from Kovalam to Poovar are interesting places to observe this meeting of the modern and the traditional in hotel architecture.
From the lush state of Kerala to the arid state of Rajasthan! Udaipur is THE place to be experience some of the finest luxury
hotels in India. Unlike rest of the arid state, Udaipur is bit of an oasis. The city and its outskirts are dotted with lakes. And in and around these lakes are some of the Indias choicest hotels. One of the defining images of India is the Lake Palace Hotel. Sitting pretty in the middle of lake Pichola, with the gentle rolling hills of the Aravalis ranges for backdrop, is the poster boy image of Exotic India. One that has drawn tourists for close to a century! And its legion of fans shows no sign of waning in the near future. Giving stiff competition is the Oberoi property Udai Vilas a fabulous hotel that was voted as the best in world by a prestigious world body.
In the 80s, the seed of the heritage hotels was sown in Rajasthan. Old Rajas had been stripped off their privy purses and were struggling to maintain their sprawling properties. Big hotel chains like the Taj Group offered to lease out a portion and convert them into hotels. In due course, helped with the opening of the economy in the early 90s, the concept took off big time. Today this concept has take root in places as far flung as Goa, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat to name a few.
