Chrissie’s Hotel and Cafe, a respite among the jungle of India literally and figuratively. The sprawling white hotel is headed by none other than Chrissie, an English expat calling India home for more than 7 years. She’s sharp, cynical, witty, and deeply curious, just don’t call her ma’am. Her staff of local Keralites refers to her using this British mark of respect; A reference she finds terribly dowdy. Try as she might to shake it, her nurturing ways of managing a hotel in India has turned her into a mother figure to her staff, and her guests alike.
Thekkady’s main road is a tourist catch-all lined with hotels and restaurants offering no privacy, no personality, and little break from the noise. Opposite all this commotion is Chrissie’s located among the treetops of Bypass Road. From the roadside, Chrissie’s narrow two car wide building front is deceptively small looking. Immediately after stepping past the brightly lit lobby, just how spacious the newer, tastefully decorated hotel of Kerala truly is becomes clear.
The main building houses the lobby, second floor restaurant, staff quarters and cozy sitting room. Guests are free to play games, read a book, lounge or take in a snack in this main level area. Move up a short flight of stairs into the open air restaurant where you’ll find high ceilings lined with large glass panes allowing a flood of nature light inside. Unexpected treats such as gnocchi and brushetta are available alongside muesli and a few other popular Indian food staples. Guests retreat to one of the 16 rooms among the four story addition perched above the main building. A quaint, stone path enveloped in natural and landscaped greenery provides a comfortable walk to the rooms all featuring a balcony facing undisturbed jungle growth. Travelers with trouble climbing stairs or walking long distances are fairly warned there is no lift, however, luggage service to and from the room is provided by the staff.
Simple guest rooms decorated in bright coastal cool colors reflect the relaxed atmosphere of Chrissie’s. Step outside onto a generously sized balcony for hours of reading pleasure or to watch the monkeys frolic in the sun soaked treetops (Guests are warned to keep all doors and windows closed when not in the room to avoid any monkey non-sense). Neat and clean ensuite bathrooms provide everything needed: shower with full time running water, hot water geyser, western toilet and sink.
There are no phones, no TV’s and no internet. In their place is a fourth floor large yoga room with space for up to 30 people. Throw open the doors for a yoga class in the clouds you’ll never forget. Scheduled classes are posted next to the lobby in addition to the myriad of other sightseeing options nearby.
You’ll find Chrissie’s is a popular choice among foreign travelers staying in Thekkady. The mixed-age crowd staying here is interested in finding more of what India has to offer. And Chrissie’s is serving it up with a hint of Britain, a pinch of Kerala, and a whole lot of hospitality.
