Secret Garden
Yoga under the mango tree,
Homestay charm,
Garden and pool
Couples,
Solos,
Families
This wonderfully open hotel has a distinctly traditional homestay feel with a lovely pool and communal garden.
While this spot is a little removed from the main fort it is nonetheless a relaxing oasis within the bustling city. Due to its popularity, this hotel gets booked out very quickly.
As an insight into this charming getaway, guests are welcomed to join the in-house yoga master for a daily morning class on the rosewood deck underneath the mango tree in the back garden. The Secret Garden takes an eco-approach practising rainwater harvesting and solar power.
The food is noteworthy, in particular, their breakfast which features the owner’s excellent homemade bread and jam. They take the utmost care to ensure their guests have everything they need, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The Rooms
The rooms are stylish and comfortable with exquisite hard carved wood features, impressive given the reasonable price.
They uniquely offer a few triple bedrooms making them accommodating for children.
What You’ll Find:
Why You'll Love It:
Explore ETG's Sample Itineraries in India
A few of our favourite routes, hand-picked by the team and ripe for tweaking.
Think of them as conversation starters. Curiosity sparkers. Not fixed plans, just ideas for what your holiday could look like, shaped by years of local know-how and the kind of immersive experiences that live long in the memory.
Alleppey
Kerala Encompassed
Gain a great insight into the variety Kerala has to offer as you travel south to north over three weeks. You’ll have the opportunity to stay in different types and styles of accommodation, ranging from tea bungalows to a plantation mansion, houseboat, treehouse and tents, to name a few.
Spend your days among tea and spice plantations, relaxing in rural settings, spotting wildlife, cruising along the Alleppey backwaters, visiting local markets and getting to know the towns that make Kerala tick. Finish on a remote beach to round off your journey through ‘God’s Own Country’.
Highlights
Cruise the backwaters
Get a real feel for life on the backwaters as you cruise through the canals on a houseboat for two nights, watching local life pass by
Birdwatching
Wake up on the banks of the river Periyar where you’ll have the chance to spot over 120 species of birds
Safaris
Track elephants and tigers on safaris and boat rides through the Nagarhole National Park
Gallery
India
Birds of South India
Discover lesser-visited but beautiful areas of Southern India during this two week holiday. There is a particular focus on the region’s abundant birdlife, exceptional for casual and serious aficionados. Visit several sanctuaries and travel through the lush western ghats, known as a treasure house of endemic species, as well as the strictly protected wildlife of Bandipur National Park.
Highlights
Rangananthittu Bird Sanctuary
End your journey with a visit to the Rangananthittu Bird Sanctuary, home to some 170 exquisite bird species
Valparai
Explore Valparai’s remote landscapes through forest treks in an area full of wildlife, including some of the most endangered varieties of hornbills
Bandipur National Park
Spot elusive big game on sunrise and sunset safaris in Bandipur National Park
Gallery
Secret Garden on the map
In Our Travellers’ Words
Wonderful introduction to India
The most amazing honeymoon
Immersive India
The Curious Traveller’s Expert Guide to India
Want to know more? With its vast size, rich diversity, and countless possibilities, planning a holiday to India can feel overwhelming – so we’ve created our Curious Traveller’s Guide to India to help make sense of it all.
It’s our experts’ pick of standout experiences and places to stay, with honest advice on the best regions and tips for both first-time visitors and those returning for more.
