The fact that Kerala has revolutionized the way tourism in India should be run is no secret. There are many reasons for National Geographic featuring the state as one of the 50 ‘must experience’ in one’s lifetime. Culture is one of its USPs. Its rich history with European, Arab, Jew, South East Asian and Chinese influences is a give draw. As is the Kerala’s singularly unique lifestyle and state’s scenic terrain that has a seductive coastline, virgin rain forests, misty mountains, not to mention its Backwaters.
Having visited the state a few times over the last couple of decades, the thing that stood out on my last trip was the quality of hotels that have come up across state. Hoteliers and architects have taken care to weave local architectural styles in their buildings. A leaf that their counterparts in other states will do well to emulate! This has resulted in a number of resorts that give visitors a real taste of Kerala experience with a strong flavour of local architecture. In north Kerala, in Kadavu Resort in Kozhikode (Calicut) stands out.
Harnessing the terrain, architect Tony Joseph has extensively used local woods in the interiors and tiles for ceiling. The lobby area with huge openings on all four sides was windswept. Even in peak summers one did not feel the need for air conditioning. Its architecture dexterously weaves Kerala’s building traditions with modcons in the rooms. If you are looking to explore north Kerala with all its Arab trading and Vasco de Gama links, Kadavu could well be the ideal place to stay. This is the heart of Kerala’s Islamic landscape. And the region around Kozhikode is littered with old mosques built in the Kerala style school of architect. It was a strange, albeit sight, to see mosques without domes.
