Tranquil Resort – Blusalzz Collection, Wayanad – Kerala

HOTEL OVERVIEW

You know what? I’ve stayed at plenty of places in Kerala, but Tranquil Resort actually lives up to its name – and that’s saying something because half the “tranquil” places I’ve been to are anything but. This one’s tucked away in the Kuppamudi Estate, which honestly feels like you’re staying inside someone’s private coffee plantation (because you basically are). The drive to get there is a bit winding – typical Wayanad mountain roads – but once you pull up, you immediately get why they picked this spot.

The thing about this place is that it doesn’t try too hard, if that makes sense. I mean, it’s definitely got that luxury resort feel with the whole Blusalzz Collection branding, but there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about it. The staff actually remembers your name after day one, not because they’re reading it off a card, but because the place isn’t massive and overwhelming. You’ll hear birds you didn’t know existed – I’m talking proper jungle sounds, not just the usual crows and sparrows. Early mornings are incredible here; the mist rolls through the estate around 6 AM and you can smell the spice plants mixed with that earthy post-rain scent that Wayanad does so well.

What really got me was how they’ve integrated the whole resort into the existing landscape. The rooms (well, they’re more like individual cottages) are scattered around so you’re not staring into someone else’s window, and honestly, the views change depending on which one you get – some face the cardamom hills, others look out over the coffee bushes. The infinity pool situation is pretty spectacular too, though it can get busy around 4 PM when everyone’s escaping the afternoon heat. I’d recommend going earlier or later when you can actually hear the forest sounds over the water. Check-in was smooth – they had fresh tender coconut water waiting, which sounds like a small thing but after that drive from Kozhikode, it was perfect. The only minor thing is that the WiFi can be spotty during heavy rains, but honestly, if you’re checking emails constantly at a place like this, you’re doing it wrong. It’s about a 20-minute drive to Ambalavayal town if you need anything, though the resort’s restaurant is good enough that you won’t really need to venture out unless you want to explore the local toddy shops or spice markets.