Does silence roar? Or does it twitter? Perhaps both. Welcome to the Rainforest boutique resort, tucked right into the lap of nature. Shrug off the city along with your coat and just soak in the misty sprays of the cascading Athirapally waterfalls at Chalakudy, Kerala. Or simply rest your eyes on the lush green of the pristine Sholayar rainforest.
Here, you have the luxury of choosing to just be. Let your senses awaken to the chants of the wild, the rumble of the 80-foot high waterfalls and the busy chatter of exotic birds. Besides, at the Rainforest, going natural does not equate to being austere. Slip into the welcoming warmth of silky quilts or down a delicious drink as you lounge in your well-appointed room.
As a boutique hotel set in 7 acres of virtually virgin rainforest, they pamper their guests as well as the environment. For an intimate yet grandiose experience with the wild, step into the Rain forest.
Dining
At Foliage, the alfresco restaurant at Rainforest, dining is an experience to be savoured. The menu is tailored to your needs and you can even try some unusual, native delicacies. The Restaurant's other speciality is scrumptious continental fare.
The restaurant opens out to the lawns, which have a 180-degree view of the waterfalls. Every mouthful is accompanied by the song of the falls and the wind whispering in the trees. There's nothing quite like a dinner in moonlight; try it on the lawns at the Rainforest for an experience you will never forget. Sit out on the lawn, sip your favourite beverage and get munching, even as the night plays out around you.
It's the perfect setting for romantic dinners: the muted roar of the falls adds to the allure of the starry sky and the feeling of being by yourselves in the vast wilderness. Taste every mouthful and every moment as time unravels in slow motion.
Pool
There's something about splashing in a pool that brings out the child in us. Take a dip in the infinity pool that is surrounded by thick foliage for all the privacy you need. What's more, the mighty falls can be glimpsed from the pool as well, taking water therapy to a whole new level.
Nothing relaxes tired limbs after a day's sightseeing stroll like spending some me-time in the pool. It's also a great place to hang out with family and friends for some undiluted fun. Play some water games, maybe. Make some great memories.
Lawns
The lush lawn, at the heart of the Rainforest boutique resort, is the showstopper here. You step out into the lawn and time stands still. Your senses open up to take in the sounds of the falls, punctuated by birdcalls, and the awe-inspiring 180-degree view of the waterfalls.
As the day fades away, you can sit out in the lawn and watch as the waterfall disappears into the darkness, until all that's left is its rumble and roar. When you open your mind to the experience, its effects can be profound. Perhaps you are not up to soul-searching; maybe you just want to party hard. Do it right there on the lawns!
The green lawns and the splendid view are also ideally suited for stylish weddings. It is also an elegant spot for the closing session of a power meet, perhaps. And thanks to the discreet nature of the locale, this is one party area that can genuinely sport the 'exclusive' tag, along with the one that says 'bewitching'.
What will it be like to wake up to sunlight filtering in through dense woods? To go to sleep, lulled by the rhythms of the rainforest? The majestic Sholayar forest reserves practically cradle the Rainforest boutique resort, the clean lines of its architecture being the only clue to this hideaway when seen from a distance.
Traditionally, tropical rainforests are called the 'jewels of the Earth' because of the richness of animal and plant life found here. Scientists often find as-yet-undiscovered species of reptiles, amphibians and mammals in the secret depths of the mighty rainforest. Often, the rainforest flora consists of rare, medicinal plants and herbs. To stand under the verdant canopy and sense the forest whispering around you is like slipping into another time altogether: a simpler time when man had not yet broken Nature's peace. The experience becomes much more meaningful when you interact with the resort personnel who offer you much more than the best of service; they are well-versed with the features and quirks of the breathtaking waterfalls and the rainforest that surround them.
The Rainforest resort is accessible only by a road that winds through the hills and trees of the ravishing rainforest. Once you are here, you can give up all the cares of civilization and rewrite the cadences of your life. The experience of living in communion with Nature transports you to a higher plane altogether. So much so that on your drive back to the airport, you wonder if the Rainforest and its sublime experience was just an hour's drive away!