If what you seek is utmost solitude and absolute peace, in a location off-limits to everyone, then an island resort is the place to go. Mountain Shadows in Wayanad is one such exciting new hideaway - a 20-acre island resort located at the foothills of Banasura Mountains with a stunning view of Banasura lake.
The 51 villas in the property are built in an eco-friendly manner with modern amenities and contemporary interiors. The Bali-inspired villas are thatched and fit effortlessly into the scheme of things, with their balconies facing the mesmerising lake. The elevated design of the property gives this resort an incredible view from everywhere, and their well-planned walkway adds a surreal touch.
From the roof terrace, one can watch the mist traversing from the mountains to the plains and the calm and serene lake.
Embrace the solitude
The boutique resort offers three types of villas- Premium villas with a spectacular view of Wayanad's scenic beauty, Premium Pool villa with a private pool inside the villa and Premium Jacuzzi villa that gives an expansive view of the lake and the mountains while you take a leisurely dip.
"All the cottages face the lake. Most of our guests don't step out of the property because they love the calmness and the nature here. I would say it's paradise on Earth. It's ideal for people who want to get away from their busy schedule or who wants totally to be with nature, who wants peace of mind and serenity. At the same time, they offer privacy and luxury," says Manoj Kunisseri, the General Manager of Mountain Shadows.
The resort, owned by a group of businessmen from Kothamangalam, was started in January but was closed in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It reopened in July 2021 and is now ready for business.
Every frame a masterpiece
The rooms in Mountain Shadows are a place of comfort and grandeur where paintings are hung on the walls, and vast windows face the lake. Bedrooms are decorated with rich fabrics, pleasing decor, fresh flowers from the garden, and something to be noted is their zero-plastic policy. There is no finer island resort experience.
Besides the pool villa, the resort also has a shared pool area (Infinity pool) overlooking the lake. Spend the day lolling fatly by the pool and enjoy the view. Trust us; this place lets you have a lot of content for your Instagram feed!
Our pick: This island paradise offers spectacular views at every turn, but one of our favourite panoramas is from the reception lounge, where you can sip a cold drink and peer out through the oversized glass window.
Magic from chef's pot
Mountain Shadows offers an excellent dining experience with a stunning view of the landscape from their in-house restaurant. One can dine inside the comfort of the restaurant or enjoy the weather along with some good food by picking a table outside. On the menu for breakfast, you'll find varieties of dosas, idli, pancakes, omelette, muesli, aloo paratha and more. For lunch, you can pick your choice of rice from the menu, rotis, dal, mutton curry, murgh maharani, Kottayam fish curry, pasta and more. Their starters were as imaginative as BBQ fruit chaat, duck pepper fry, and tandoori baby corn. For dinner, choose paneer mirchi masala, homestyle chicken curry, and pulao. They also serve tasty desserts like kala jamun, ice cream, moong dal halwa.
Our pick: Our personal favourite was carrot halwa and the chef's special tender coconut prawns curry.
PS: Mountain Shadows does not offer room service. We suggest you gaze at the vast lake and the spectacular mountain ranges at sunrise from the restaurant- preferably with an English breakfast - and then again in the evening - sipping some hot coffee - when the swirling colours bounce on the water along with the misty weather.
Above all, what we loved the most was the hospitality. The staff at Mountain Shadows will make you feel at home and come to your help whenever needed.
Unlimited fun time
Aside from breathtaking sceneries, there's also a lot of fun and exciting activities that you and your family or friends can do here- cycling, buggy ride to explore the island, read your favourite book in the library or play table tennis in the play area. Also, take a moment to listen to the birds. The property is so calm and peaceful that we realised that silence was indeed beautiful.
This is not the place for party animals; the laid-back attitude here is a perfect place for young couples, family and those who love to be isolated from the crowd.
The next time you’re looking for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, you may want to try visiting Mountain Shadows. This will give you the quiet time that you have been longing for.
Nearby attraction
With its lush evergreen forests, a wildlife sanctuary that is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and an abundance of natural beauty at every step, Wayanad is forever the traveller's paradise. Here are some places you can visit when you are at Mountain Shadows.
Banasura Sagar Dam: It is the largest earth dam in India and the second largest in Asia. The surrounding Banasura Hills make it a picture-postcard setting. The dam site is the starting point for trekkers going up the hills. Speed-boating is a significant attraction for visitors to the dam. Entry is allowed from 9 am to 5 pm.
Banasura-Meenmutty Waterfalls: Just about three kilometres away from the Banasura Sagar Dam, the three-tiered falls are just a little way off the Wayanad-Ooty road. A 2- km jungle hike off the Ooty road is an alternative route to reach the falls.
Some of the other major attractions within an hour from the resort include Lakkidi viewpoint, Karlad lake, Pazhassi memorial, and Kurumbalakotta viewpoint.
How to reach
The nearest airports are Kannur Internation Airport and Calicut International Airport. Visitors can hire a cab and drive down to the property. If you take a bus, you can get down at Sulthan Bathery or Kalpetta and hire a taxi. Wayanad is well-connected with major cities. You can also self-drive to the property.
For enquiry, contact: 1800 891 3090 or mail at reservations@mountainshadows.in