Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts said it would open the Banyan Tree Kerala in the first quarter of 2013. The resort’s debut marks the first property in India for Banyan Tree. The new resort will be notable for its unique setting on a private island in the backwaters of southern India’s state of Kerala.

Located on the private island of Nediyathuruthu in the Alleppey district of Kerala, Banyan Tree Kerala will be an hour south of Kochi International Airport and a 10-minute boat ride from the resort’s private jetty in nearby Vaduthala. The resort will offer a base from which guests can discover the beaches, canals, lush tropical greenery and Ayurvedic therapies of Kerala.

Each of the resort’s 59 villas will feature a private pool and views of the surrounding waterways and canals. Villa interiors will showcase indigenous materials such as coir, natural fiber extracted from the husk of coconuts, ornamental wood carvings, paintings and frescoes as well as Kathakali art, which depicts the traditional and highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama from Kerala. 

Banyan Tree Kerala will feature the group’s first dedicated Ayurvedic Center, offering personalized consultations by qualified Ayurvedic doctors who will recommend tailored treatments based on individual needs. Guests also can enjoy a variety of other wellness therapies from the Banyan Tree Spa in one of four Ayurvedic treatment rooms or one of six spa pavilions.

The Activity Island, located just five minutes away from the main resort can accommodate groups of approximately 150 guests for private events and functions. Manned by a dedicated crew, a houseboat will offer evening rides on the backwaters. Banyan Tree Kerala also will offer an array of dining options. South Indian cuisine, with its emphasis on rice, lentils, dried red chilies and coconut, along with a healthy dose of tamarind, garlic and ginger, is available at the All Day Dining venue with both indoor and outdoor seating. The group’s Saffron restaurant features Thai cuisine, contemporary design and a gueridon service where ingredients for classic green and red curries are presented, prepared and served tableside. Classical Indian dance performances will be presented in the Bar Lounge nightly, where a selection of premium whiskeys and fine wines also will be offered.  The Spa Café features a menu inspired by the tri-dosha concept of Ayurveda and was created with the input of Ayurvedic practitioners.

Special dining experiences will include dinner aboard a local palak boat typically used by royalty on which Keralan fish curry and a variety of other traditional dishes are served. Guests also can dine on top of a specially built tower, the tallest point on the island, with panoramic views of the resort.